THE SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY PROGRAMME | TE MĀTAI TIKAKA TAKATA

DIVISION OF HUMANITIES | TE KETE ARONUI

About us | Mō mātou

The University of Otago is one of New Zealand’s largest and most research-intensive universities, ranked in the top 1% in the QS World University Rankings.

The Social Anthropology Programme operates as a distinctive programme within the School of Social Sciences alongside six others (Archaeology; Media, Film and Communication; Politics; Religion; Social and Community Work; Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology). The School hosts 80 academic and professional staff engaged in interdisciplinary research and teaching a diverse student body from across the University.

Social Anthropology has a strong record of meaningful and engaged teaching and research. The Programme offers a range of research-informed undergraduate and postgraduate papers in medical anthropology, political economy, the anthropology of the Pacific, ethnographic methods, and more.

We have an active commitment to Indigenous-focused learning and decolonial initiatives in our curriculum and wider practice. One of our main areas of strength is a focus on medical anthropology, and more broadly on humanistic perspectives on health, illness, and disability. Our programme also recently led the founding of a new research centre, Ngā Aho Hauora | Centre for Medical Humanities (the first such centre in Australasia) which promotes interdisciplinary work, community-focused and applied projects, and opportunities for national and international research collaborations.

The role | Te mahi

Applications are invited for a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology. The position offers an opportunity to join a strong and forward-looking team that is dedicated to excellence. We are looking for a candidate with experience and proven ability in delivering engaging and innovative teaching and research.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Playing a significant role in the teaching of Health Science 100-level; including a high standard of lecturing, marking, moderation, and student engagement.

• Contributing to the development of Medical Anthropology and/or Social Science perspectives on health, illness, disability, & society, as a specialist area of teaching and research.

• Contributing expertise in the teaching of issues concerning Māori and/or Pasifika health in the Aotearoa/NZ context.

• Contributing to the Social Anthropology curriculum, via teaching into our undergraduate and postgraduate ANTH papers.

• Contributing to broader uptake of te ao Māori and te Tiriti facing perspectives in the Social Anthropology Programme, wider Humanities Division and University, through participation and/or partnership.

• Supporting the new Centre for Medical Humanities | Ngā Aho Hauora

We particularly welcome applications from Māori scholars who can support the ongoing development of an integrated curriculum informed by Indigenous pedagogical models, and contribute to expanding opportunities for student assessment in te reo Māori.

The successful candidate will also be expected to supervise research at Masters and PhD levels; to develop and maintain a strong research profile, including showing a willingness to seek external research funds; and to undertake administrative roles and community/professional service activities that contribute to the overall effectiveness and standing of the Programme.

Skills and Experience | Kā pūkeke me kā wheako

The successful candidate is expected to have:

• A PhD in Social Anthropology, or in a related field (with an interest in developing expertise and engagement with the discipline of social anthropology)

• An established record of research and service, with connections to national and international researchers and stakeholder communities.

• A record of delivering high-quality teaching; with a commitment to contributing to team-taught courses, taking on coordination of existing courses, or developing their own specialist courses within our programme as needed.

• Established expertise in social science and/or Indigenous perspectives on health, illness, disability, & society, particularly with a focus on Māori and/or Pasifika health in the Aotearoa/NZ context.

• Expertise and comfort in te ao Māori, and good working use of te reo Māori.

• A demonstrated commitment to collegiality and productive collaboration in the context of a small to medium-sized programme

• Show strong skills in organisation, coordination, and productive communication, including in cross-divisional contexts

Early career staff have a managed workload programme to enable them to develop their research activities through the first two years or so of their appointment.

Further Information | Pūroko

This is a permanent, full-time position, based in Ōtepoti Dunedin, and is available from February 2027.

The appointment ranges for this role are:

• Lecturer - $97,377 to $ 114,943 per annum.

• Senior Lecturer - $ 120,494 to $137,444 per annum.

Appointment level will be determined by the candidate’s academic achievements, skills, and experience.

Specific enquiries may be directed to Associate Professor Tim Thomas, Head, School of Social Sciences, via the email address below.

Application | Tono

Candidates are required to submit the following:

• A CV, including employment history.

• A letter of application outlining how you fit the role.

• Names and addresses of at least three referees.

To submit your application, please click the apply button below. Applications quoting reference number 2601232 will close on 11:59pm (NZST) on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

For further information about the Social Anthropology Programme, see: https://www.otago.ac.nz/anthropology

Social Anthropology jobs

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer - Social Anthropology