Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Food Science - Te Kura Mātai Matū |The School of Chemical Sciences

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

Ko te whare Pūtaiao | The Faculty of Science at the University of Auckland is the largest and most highly ranked science faculty in New Zealand. The Faculty of Science is ranked among the top 90 science faculties worldwide by the QS World University Rankings. The 10 departments and schools that form the Faculty of Science represent the breadth and diversity of science in our modern world.

Our staff and students can connect with our flagship groups including Tuākana, Rainbow, Women of Colour, Māori, Pacific, Muslim, and Disabled Staff network and our Waipapa Marae.

The Food Science programme is hosted in Te Kura Mātai Matū |The School of Chemical Sciences, the largest chemistry-related department in Aotearoa New Zealand, with over 30 permanent academic staff and over 100 PhD students. The School has a very strong international reputation in research, with collaborations spanning the globe, and has a high-quality research infrastructure. As well as our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Food Science, we also have postgraduate programmes in Forensic Science, Green Chemical Science and Wine Science that could provide collaborative research opportunities for successful candidates. The School is committed to teaching excellence and to building connections with our community. Since 2018, the University of Auckland has been ranked the highest in the Food Science and Technology subject area among the universities in New Zealand by the Global Academic Subjects Ranking (Shanghai Ranking).

More information about the School and the researchers in our School can be found on our webpage: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/about-the-faculty/school-of-chemical-sciences.html

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

The School of Chemical Sciences seeks to appoint a permanent academic faculty member at the Lecturer level in Food Science. Candidates will be considered on their merits, with the primary criteria for selection detailed below. We are seeking applications from candidates who can contribute to research-informed teaching related to food science, especially the fundamental principles of food processing, within the interface of food safety, food processing, and food microbiology. Preference will be given to candidates who complement the current research in food science in the School and have a clear vision of how their research plan will be implemented in a New Zealand context.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) permanent position. The appointees may be required to contribute to our offshore teaching commitments, including travel to other countries, as part of the role.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description.

The remuneration range will be as follows and will be dependent on skills, experience, and level of appointment 

Lecturer $99,788 to $119,204 per annum,

Senior Lecturer $126,863 to $145,741 per annum

He kōrero mōu | About you

Selection Criteria: Our ideal candidate will be selected using the following criteria. Can you demonstrate that:

• you are, or have the potential to become, a world-class researcher in your respective field of food science, with a strong, independent research programme funded by external grants, and strong research collaborations with other institutions and industry.
• you are, or have potential to become, a teacher and supervisor who reflects the latest advances in food science and your field with a clear commitment to innovative teaching and supervision excellence, and can contribute to research-informed teaching within the broad area of food science, especially related to fundamental principles of food processing.

• you are interested and are active in dimensions beyond research and teaching; for example, mentoring and advising students and colleagues, public outreach, engaging with industry, and science communication. 

• you are collaborative and collegial  - willing to support the successful operation of the food science programme and the School, and be accessible to colleagues, research students and undergraduate students; and
• you have a high-level understanding of and demonstrated commitment to the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in a university context.

**Our ideal applicant will have a conferred PhD in Food Science or a related discipline**

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and has significant computational, laboratory, and analytic facilities. Auckland itself is frequently ranked among the world’s most liveable cities. 

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home, flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks annual leave

In addition, we also offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, childcare, relocation support if required, and other discounts on internal and external services. 

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online by the closing date of  4th July 2026 to be considered.

To apply for this role, please upload the following documents:

• A brief cover letter explaining your interest in the position and explicitly addressing each of the selection criteria above;
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) which includes the names and contact details of at least three referees (preferably including a current or previous supervisor/manager). Referees will not be contacted without your prior approval.
• A separate statement which includes:
  • your research vision for the next 5 years, including the potential for collaborations within the Food Science programme and the wider University of Auckland, and plans to obtain research funding support (1-2 pages).
  • your teaching and supervision philosophy (1-2 pages).

Please look at the School’s webpage (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/about-the-faculty/school-of-chemical-sciences.html) for further information, and contact the Head of School, Prof Duncan McGillivray ([email protected]) or the Director of the Food Science Programme, Prof Siew-Young Quek ([email protected]) if you have other questions. Please note that we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz