- Utilise your doctorate and academic expertise in Design
- Develop and deliver inspiring and innovative learning experiences
- AUT is now ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide
AUT is vibrant, achievement-oriented and a rewarding place to work and Times Higher Education has ranked us in the top 1% of universities in the world, the top 100 young universities, and first in New Zealand for international outlook. As one of the world's top 30 millennial universities and one of New Zealand's largest universities it offers a stimulating teaching and research environment with strong connections to Government, business and industry.
Te Kura Toi a Hoahoa, School of Art and Design at AUT is one of the largest providers of art and design education in Aotearoa. We offer programmes of study across a Design degree, a Visual Arts degree, both also at Masters and Doctoral postgraduate study level. We create exceptional student-centred learning experiences in studio environments underpinned by knowledge of mātauranga Māori, and new and emergent technologies.
The School is based in Te Ara Auaha the Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies, a diverse community of creative, technical, scientific and entrepreneurial thinkers, makers, researchers, and doers, working in an environment designed to foster imagination and innovation.
AUT's School of Art and Design has a strong reputation in industry for producing excellent graduates. The School of Art and Design is looking for a dynamic and experienced hybrid design educator with knowledge of Communication and Interaction processes, methods and practices. The successful candidate will contribute to academic leadership, curricula design and high-quality studio teaching into both Communication Design and Interaction Design majors.
The Role
We have a permanent, full-time opportunity for a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Communication and Interaction Design within these design majors in the Bachelor of Design.
In this role the successful candidate would need to be able to facilitate optimum learning environments for students, engage in high-quality teaching and supervision, and contribute to the evolving School research culture. We are seeking research interests in the contemporary aspects of communication and/or interaction design and expertise in design research methodologies; previous lecturing experience delivering innovative design studio and theory learning and teaching is also critical.
You will publish actively in your specialised field; research is well supported within the School. It is also expected that over time the successful candidate will seek external research funding, engage with government, business, the professions and/or the community, and contribute to School/Faculty activities. Interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities also exist across the School.
You'll teach across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as agreed with the Head of Department, and have the exciting opportunity to assume responsibility for the leadership, co-ordination and delivery of our Design courses. We embrace practice-led, as well as research-informed, approaches to teaching - delivering innovative design studio and theory learning where the student experience is optimised.
A collaborative, open and engaging attitude that is flexible to School requirements is essential. You'll join one of the largest departments in the school. It is a focussed, open and highly collaborative group that supports the growth of its people. There is genuinely positive energy within the School and we offer an excellent research environment, with research support. The Faculty also offers a variety of contestable research funds.
Our practice-led paradigm for curriculum engages students in the exploration of visual communication strategies and techniques across a variety of media and is designed to prepare students to enter the field as competitive creative professionals and researchers nationally and internationally.
Application information
Te Kura Toi a Hoahoa, School of Art and Design is seeking applications from suitably qualified applicants and request they submit a full CV (including a full list of publications and contact details for three referees), plus a cover letter addressing the following:
Key requirements for the role
Qualification:
- Completed Doctorate in Communication or Interaction Design or a related discipline
Research and Scholarship:
- Broad research interests that align with (and have the basis of a solid research pipeline within) contemporary aspects of Communication or Interaction Design
- Expertise in design research methodologies
- More experienced candidates will also have a proven research track record with quality academic publications and creative practice. Ideally, you will also have previous success in external funding bids.
Teaching and Learning:
- Previous lecturing experience with evidence of curricula development and academic quality assurance
- Teaching experience must include delivering innovative design studio and theory (and ideally experience supervising Masters and/or PhD students)
You'll also need:
- Relevant technical skills, including software for print, digital, motion and UX/UI practices
- A high level of organisational and time management skills
- The ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Appointment level and salary will be commensurate with the skills and experience of the successful applicant.
Start Date: As soon as possible, ideally January / February 2026
Reference Number: 93274
Closing Date: Monday 6th October 2025
