Lecturer/Senior Lecturer Psychology Assistant

Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao| Faculty of Science
Te Kura Mahi ā-Hirikapo | School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• Continuing position, starting in June 2026

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā! He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Pūkenga? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei. Are you motivated to shape the future of professional psychology education in Aotearoa New Zealand?

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
We are seeking a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Psychology Assistance to join the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing. In this role, you will lead the development of, and oversee, the proposed Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology Assistance, including supporting the initial establishment and implementation of this new programme, as well as undertaking teaching and research.

Working closely with academic and clinical education colleagues, and professional, regulatory, and community partners, you will support the development, delivery, review, and quality assurance of the new Psychology Assistance programme, including the design and coordination of engaging and innovative online learning experiences.

As a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer, you will contribute to applied teaching within the Psychology Assistance programme, and to scholarship and research aligned with psychopathology, psychological interventions, psychology education, or workforce development. You will undertake academic service within the School and wider University and develop and/or lead a research programme. The balance of teaching, research, and service responsibilities will be negotiated with the Head of School and will evolve over time in line with programme development priorities and your academic career trajectory.

Mōu | Who You Are
You are an experienced psychology professional and educator who brings applied expertise, academic leadership capability, established relationships with community and professional partners, and a commitment to high-quality professional psychology education. You will have an established research track record, or evidence of a developing research programme. You are motivated to contribute to the development of innovative postgraduate programmes that respond to workforce, regulatory, and community needs, and to build an academic career within a collegial and supportive environment.

You will have:

• Registration (or eligibility for registration) as a psychologist in Aotearoa New Zealand, with relevant applied or clinical experience.
• Demonstrated experience in teaching and/or training in psychology or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated understanding of, and experience in, delivering effective teaching methods that enable a wide range of learners to succeed.
• Experience providing coordination or leadership within postgraduate or professional psychology programmes.
• Strong understanding of professional psychology practice, ethics, and regulatory contexts.
• Ability to work collaboratively with academic colleagues and to build productive relationships with students, employers, community partners, and regulatory or professional bodies.
• An established or developing research track record in an aligned area.
• Evidence of reflective learning and continuous professional development.
• Active commitment to upholding the values, tikanga (protocols and processes), kawa (rules) of cultural practice and traditions as guided by mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and valuing te reo Māori.
• A PhD or professional doctorate in psychology or an aligned discipline (NZQA Level 10) is required. However, applicants with a Masters in Psychology and substantial industry experience may be considered with the requirement to complete a PhD if appointed.

The following would be an advantage:

• Prior leadership in psychology programme or course development.
• Competency in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

The School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing provides a collegial environment, and we are committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Treaty of Waitangi and upholding the inherent values, cultural practices and traditions including te reo Māori, tikanga, and kawa as guided by mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri. For further details on the team and Te Kura Mahi ā-Hirikapo | School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing can be found here: Psychology, Speech and Hearing

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
Tangata Tū, Tangata Ora - – Engaged, Empowered, Making a Difference. 

We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good and determined to make a difference in the world.

Mea e tukua nei | What we offer 
The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment, this includes:

• relocation support
• five weeks annual leave and five days university holidays
• UC Parental Leave (up to 9 weeks paid) + 26 weeks Government paid parental leave and onsite childcare facility
• widely accessible sabbatical provision
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• University and Faculty scholarship support for post-graduate students
• a unique bequest funded endowment (Erskine Fund ) that supports an extensive visiting fellowship programme
• flexible working arrangements
• supportive working environment
• professional development and study opportunities
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as the recreation centre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information on our Benefits, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/joinus/benefits/

This role sits within the Academic Staff, Associated Staff and Support Staff Collective Agreement and the following salary scale applies: Lecturer $94,181 - $113,616 p.a.; Senior Lecturer $119,586 - $135,630 p.a.

The closing date for this position is: 6 May 2026 (midnight NZ time)
Please note, applications will be reviewed after the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply
Applications for this position must be submitted on our careers website and should include the following:

Please note, only 2 documents can be uploaded in the application process.

We do not accept applications by email, however, we are happy to answer any queries at WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz

For further information specifically about the role, please contact: Eileen Britt, Director Clinical Training at eileen.britt@canterbury.ac.nz  

For overseas applicants, please visit Immigration New Zealand website, to review the latest health and visa requirements for visiting and working in New Zealand.