Te Kāhui Pā Harakeke | Child Well-being Research Institute
Te Kaupeka Ako | Faculty of Education
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand
- Part-time (17.5 hours per week, 0.46 FTE)
- Two positions available
- Fixed-term position until December 2025
Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!
He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Research Assistant? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.
Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
The University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha invites applications for two Research Assistant Better Start Learning Advisor (BSLA) Interventionist positions. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant research project evaluating the effectiveness of online delivery of Tier 2 BSLA lessons.
In this role, you will deliver structured BSLA lessons to pairs of students online via Zoom, supporting literacy learning and contributing to important research outcomes. With flexible, remote working options and a fixed project timeframe, this role is ideal for motivated educators seeking to apply their BSLA expertise in a research context.
Mōu | Who You Are
We are seeking individuals who have successfully completed a BSLA Micro credential and hold a valid Children's Act Clearance. You will be detail-oriented, organised, and confident working independently to support both lesson delivery and research-related assessment.
You will also bring the following:
- Completion of a BSLA Micro credential.
- Strong academic ability, with clear written and oral communication skills.
- A high level of computer literacy and confidence with online platforms (e.g. Zoom, data entry, digital record-keeping).
- Reliable internet connection and the ability to deliver lessons online from a suitable location.
- Excellent organisational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail in lesson delivery and documentation.
- Ability to follow structured lesson plans and research protocols while working independently.
- Strong time management skills and reliability in meeting fixed timelines.
- Commitment to UC values of inclusiveness, wellbeing, and cultural respect, with competency in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga considered an advantage.
- An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.
Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
You will be working closely with a dynamic, interdisciplinary group of researchers as part of the CWRI team. The institute is where 'nurturing research excellence to support children's holistic well-being' takes place. You will be working closely with a dynamic, interdisciplinary group of researchers, teachers, speech-language therapists and other professionals as part of the Child Well-being Research Institute team. You will be located at Manawa, a state-of-the-art health and education research hub in Christchurch's central city.
For more information about our team, please visit us at Child Well-being Research Institute.
Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
Ngā Uara | Our Values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga guide our decisions and behaviour and provide a roadmap for how we do things at UC, affirming our commitment to pastoral care and support for our ākonga and staff. They challenge and inspire us to be the best we can, and make UC a great place to work and study. For more info on Ngā Uara | Our Values visit us here.
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.
For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/
This role sits within the Academic Staff, Associated Staff, and Academic Support Staff Collective Employment Agreement salary range of between $27.80 and $28.91, and hourly rate will be based on skills and experience.
The closing date for this position is: September 14, 2025 (midnight, NZ time)
Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.
Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply
Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.
Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz
You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency or hold a valid NZ work visa to be considered for this role.