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University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – Queenstown Campus

• Shape data science and AI governance education at a growing, strategically important campus.
• Join a research-intensive, internationally connected university committed to excellence and impact.
• Live and work in one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary environments.

The University of Otago is one of New Zealand’s leading research universities and among the world’s top-ranked institutions. With more than 150 years of scholarship and discovery, we are committed to advancing outstanding research and research-informed teaching. Our vision is for our people and knowledge to transform lives, connect communities, and nurture the environment in Ōtākou, Te Waipounamu, Aotearoa, the Pacific, and the world.

Our Queenstown campus is a strategic investment in high quality tertiary education and research in one of the South Island’s most dynamic regions. As the campus grows its academic profile, we are seeking outstanding academics to help shape its future.

The Role / Te Mahi

We are seeking an outstanding academic to join us as Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Data Science/ AI Governance and Leadership. This is a full-time, permanent position at the University of Otago’s Queenstown campus.

The successful candidate will contribute to teaching, research, and service at our emerging Queenstown campus. Teaching will largely be focused at postgraduate levels, and on building an active research programme. The area of specialisation will be in data science and AI governance as well as related areas and will involve significant curriculum development. There is genuine scope to play a leading role in developing the data science and AI offering at the campus and to engage with the region’s distinctive mix of industry, government, and community organisations.

This is an opportunity to join the University at a genuinely formative moment. The Queenstown campus is building its academic identity, and this role will contribute directly to this, shaping how the field is taught, defining research priorities, and helping to establish the University’s presence in an area of growing national significance. We are looking for someone excited by the opportunity to help shape a new academic environment and build meaningful connections across disciplines, industry, and community.

While this position is advertised at Lecturer and Senior Lecturer level, the University reserves the right to appoint at Associate Professor or Professor level if an exceptional candidate is identified. To be considered at a higher level, a candidate will have need to have demonstrated leadership experience that will help drive the University’s ambition for Queenstown.

Your skills and experience/Kā pūkeka me kā wheako

The successful candidate will have:

• A completed PhD in data science, artificial intelligence, computer science, information systems, law, public policy, or a closely related discipline.
• An established or emerging research record in data science, statistics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or related fields, ideally with expertise in areas such as data governance, AI ethics and policy, algorithmic accountability, data privacy, or other societal, regulatory, or organisational dimensions of data and AI, and may include practical applications of these in the development of digital technologies.
• Demonstrated ability or clear potential to teach effectively at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• Commitment to rigour, ethics, and cultural safety in research and teaching, and to collegial and respectful engagement with students and colleagues.
• Commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to the University’s Māori and Pacific strategic frameworks.

For appointment at Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, or Professor level, candidates will have a well-established research and teaching record commensurate with that level, including an outstanding track record of research funding and postgraduate supervision.

Further Information / Pūroko

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), permanent position based at the University of Otago’s Queenstown campus.

Appointment level will be determined by the candidate’s academic achievements, skills, and experience. We welcome applications from outstanding candidates at either level.

Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most sought-after locations, internationally connected, surrounded by an outstanding natural environment, and home to a vibrant and growing community. The region offers an exceptional quality of life, including year-round outdoor activities, excellent schools, and a strong sense of community. The University’s presence in Queenstown reflects a long-term commitment to the region and provides a unique academic environment. The campus offers an exciting opportunity to help shape a growing research and teaching environment with strong regional partnerships and national visibility.

The University of Otago is committed to Te Tiriti as set out in Pae Tata and Vision 2040. We invite applications from candidates who bring diverse perspectives and lived experience, and we are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for all staff.

Specific enquiries may be directed to Professor Richard Barker, Establishment Director of the University of Otago Queenstown/Lakes District Project via the contact details below

Application/Tono

Applications quoting reference number 2600862 will close on Sunday, 19 July 2026.

Contact: Professor Richard Barker

Position details: Information Statement

Guidelines for Academic Positions: Guidelines

Further Information: Department Website

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