Job Description

• Do you have a completed, or nearly completed, PhD in Political Science, International Relations or cognate discipline?
• Can you develop new research and contribute teaching that helps our students engage with the politics of Aotearoa and the world?
• Are you an early-career or established scholar conducting research that engages mātauranga Māori or is informed by Kaupapa Māori methods?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting a Pūkenga - Lecturer or Pūkenga Matua - Senior Lecturer to join Te Kura Aro Whakamuri, Rapunga Whakaaro, Matai Tōrangapū me to Ao - School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations on a permanent, full-time basis.

This role is based at our Kelburn campus in Wellington, New Zealand.

This is an exciting opportunity for an outstanding scholar to join the Political Science and International Relations Programme and to develop new undergraduate and postgraduate teaching offerings. The successful applicant must have a completed (or nearly completed) PhD in Political Science, International Relations or a cognate discipline, and will demonstrate excellence in teaching, a developing or established research profile, and commitment to teaching and research that engages mātauranga Māori. We especially welcome applications from candidates with research interests in areas such as Māori politics, Indigenous politics, the politics of Aotearoa New Zealand, Indigenous political theory, or Indigenous International Relations. The role will be supported with mentoring and workload relief during the first year to enable you to advance your research programme. Preferred commencement is in February 2027, by negotiation.

Key responsibilities

• Contributing to the development and delivery of courses in Political Science and International Relations, including contributions to the new Bachelor of Politics degree.
• In areas of expertise, developing new curricula and research informed by mātauranga Māori and building knowledge on aspects of Indigenous politics, the politics of Aotearoa New Zealand, or other areas of interest.
• Supervising postgraduate research on a broad range of topics in Political Science and International Relations, including research that is informed by Kaupapa Māori research methods.
• Contributing to hautūtanga/leadership and service roles, and engagement with the wider community.
• Being part of an active, collegial team committed to equity and diversity, and supporting research and teaching that upholds our programme’s responsibilities to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

You will be a scholar-educator committed to high-quality teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, who is developing an innovative, independent research agenda.

Key requirements:

• A completed (or soon to be completed) PhD in Political Science, International Relations, or a cognate discipline.
• Some experience in teaching at a tertiary level or, in the case of applicants for Senior Lecturer, demonstrated evidence of successful teaching at tertiary level.
• A developing record or, in the case of Senior Lecturer, an established record, of scholarly research and publications.
• A research agenda that engages mātauranga Māori or is informed by Kaupapa Māori methods, and an interest in growing mātauranga Māori for our teaching and research programmes, are desirable.
• Strong capacity to work as part of a collegial team.
• Willingness to contribute to the development of new degree offerings.

We welcome applications from diverse areas of expertise within Political Science and International Relations.

Te Kura Aro Whakamuri, Rapunga Whakaaro, Matai Tōrangapū me te Ao - School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations is one of the largest Schools in the University. The three disciplines within the School represent important and distinct fields of study, but many students take courses in each of them.

Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) is a large and collegial programme, with 26 academic staff. The programme is responsible for teaching two majors within the Bachelor of Arts, one major within the Bachelor of Communication, and is home to a new Bachelor of Politics degree. The programme also offers four taught Master’s degrees - in Politics, International Relations, Strategic Studies, and Migration Studies - and contributes to other degrees. Our programme is committed to teaching and research that meaningfully reflect our location in Te Whanganui-a-Tara - Wellington and to undertaking engagement with government and local communities that our location allows. Many of our staff are involved in international research collaborations including in Māori/Indigenous politics.

PSIR has an active Māori/Indigenous politics researcher and postgraduate cluster, and other experts in Māori politics sit within Te Kawa a Māui – School of Māori Studies, which also offers courses on politics and society that students can take independently or count towards Political Science majors in the BA and some Bachelor of Politics majors. The diversity of our Programme’s research, teaching and engagement activities makes it a dynamic and stimulating place to work and study. We are committed to greater equity and diversity, and to supporting research and teaching that addresses issues relevant to Māori, engages with mātauranga Māori, and upholds our programme’s responsibilities to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Role Description: Click the below links to see further information, including salary details.

Pūkenga - Lecturer

Pūkenga Matua - Senior Lecturer

If these links are not available, click 'apply' to view them on the University careers page.

Close date for vacancy: 09 November 2026.

Contact details for vacancy: We welcome the opportunity to discuss the role with you if you have any questions before applying. Please contact Head of School, Associate Professor Fiona Barker (fiona.barker@vuw.ac.nz).

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter. Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application.

Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here.

Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise.