New senior academic roles in the newly-established Faculty of Design at Waikato.
• Shape a bold new direction in transdisciplinary design
• Lead teaching, research and industry partnerships
• Join a growing team with more opportunities ahead
Ngā kōrero mō te tūranga – About the role
The University of Waikato is growing its Faculty of Design, and we are seeking exceptional academics to join us as Senior Lecturer or Associate Professor in Transdisciplinary Design.
These newly created roles offer the opportunity to help shape an exciting new direction for design at Waikato. Working across and beyond traditional design disciplines, you will contribute to teaching, research and creative practice that addresses complex social, environmental and technological challenges.
You will bring advanced expertise in design together with the ability to connect people, ideas and methods across disciplines. You will also play a key role in building meaningful partnerships with industry, iwi and communities, contributing to impactful teaching and research grounded in collaboration and real-world application.
This is an exciting time to join the Faculty of Design as we establish new programs and research initiatives across Design, Media, Environmental Planning and Geography. Alongside these senior appointments, additional opportunities at Lecturer and Senior Teaching Fellow levels will also be advertised. The Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer roles are full-time, permanent roles based at our Hillcrest Campus in Hamilton.
For more information on these roles please see the position description links Senior Lecturer or Associate Professor For a confidential conversation about the roles, please contact Professor Ricardo Sosa at rsosa@waikato.ac.nz All applications must be submitted through the online portal; emailed applications will not be accepted.
Ko wai koe? – Who are you?
You will be an experienced academic with expertise in transdisciplinary design and a strong commitment to innovative teaching, impactful research and collaborative engagement. Transdisciplinary design is understood as having an advanced level of expertise within design, combined with the ability to connect people, skills, and knowledge across other creative specialties and other disciplines to address complex challenges and enable systems change.
You will also bring:
A PhD in a relevant discipline
A strong record of teaching and curriculum development in higher education
Experience supervising postgraduate students across methodologies
An established research profile, including publications and research activity
The ability to work across design specialties and disciplinary boundaries
A track record of building meaningful partnerships with industry, iwi, community or public sector organisations
A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and engaging with Māori in ways that support positive outcomes
Excellent communication, leadership and relationship-building skills
For appointment at Associate Professor level, you will also bring evidence of sustained academic leadership, an internationally recognised research profile and experience leading collaborative research or strategic initiatives.
Ko wai mātou? – Who are we?
The Faculty of Design sits within Te Kura Toi – School of Arts, part of the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences.
We are building a distinctive approach to design education and research at Waikato—one that is future-focused, collaborative and responsive to real-world challenges. Our programmes bring together creative practice, research and community engagement to create meaningful impact across sectors and disciplines. We are committed to academic excellence, student success and giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi through our teaching, research and partnerships.
He aha ngā take me tono mai ai koe? – Why should you apply for this position?
We want you to be part of our success! Our university stands proudly on the world stage as a provider of future-focused, international education and an active player in global research. Our rankings reflect these strengths. Working with us means you’ll enjoy a satisfying work environment with many benefits
The University of Waikato is distinctive for the diversity of its staff and students and encourages applicants with the relevant capabilities from all backgrounds to apply. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in NZ in accordance with the NZ Immigration regulations which can be found here
Ko te Tangata - For the People
The University of Waikato prides itself on the quality of its engagement with the communities that it serves, the provision of a world-class education and the national and international impact of its research. Our policies are guided by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and equal opportunity for all.
E herea ana te Whare Wānanga ki te kaupapa kia whakaratohia te mea angitū ōrite ki ngā tāngata katoa.
Applications Close on Sunday June 28, 2026.
Requisition number: 1003670
