Pūkenga/Pūkenga Matua | Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Theatre and Performance Studies

• Do you have a PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies, or a related field?

• Have you got creative experience and an established or emerging academic research agenda?

• Are you ready to bring your knowledge and innovative teaching experience to a collaborative and dynamic school?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role 

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting for a Pūkenga - Lecturer or Pūkenga Matua - Senior Lecturer in Theatre and Performance Studies for a fixed-term (three-year) full-time position.

The area of specialisation sought for the position is open but will ideally complement the existing teaching and research profile of Te Whare Ngangahau – Theatre and Performance Studies: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/sam/research/staff-research-interests

The Programme is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and adaptable appointee who would contribute to its unique creative-critical approach. The ability to teach large introductory courses and to direct student productions is essential - therefore, university teaching experience and experience in the creative industries is ideal. The role calls for flexibility to teach across a range of subjects in the field, so a depth of understanding in both critical theory and creative discourses is vital. In addition, the appointee will be expected to supervise postgraduate projects and contribute to the research environment as appropriate. The expected teaching load is three courses per year.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

You will:

• Be a collaborative, and adaptable colleague who will provide teaching excellence in a busy and dynamic Theatre and Performance Studies Programme. 
• Be a highly motivated individual who can take the initiative and can manage and perform a variety of concurrent academic, administrative and creative and critical research tasks. 
• Be a forward-thinker who demonstrates a capacity for high quality and innovative teaching and research in your specialist field. 
• Thrive in this role because you have the capacity to build and maintain positive relationships with staff, a passion for teaching and mentoring students at all levels of their university study, and a commitment to the forms of academic administration that can enhance the effectiveness of the work that staff perform and the related outcomes. 
• Be be a meticulously organised self-starter who will demonstrate capability, care and versatility in the face of continuing research, teaching and administrative commitments. 
• Have the ability to respond to changing needs and opportunities in these three key areas and the capacity to lead others.

Key requirements:

• A PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies or a related field.

• An existing record of published academic research and/or the capacity to conduct research and produce academic publications in Theatre and Performance Studies.

• Experience encouraging, contributing to, and producing research outputs in the form of substantial creative works (e.g., creative performance etc.).

• A record of successful experience in delivering and/or designing undergraduate courses and/or classes in Theatre and Performance Studies.

• The capacity to provide academic mentoring and related pastoral care to diverse cohorts of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

• A commitment to building positive and supportive relationships with colleagues.

• The capacity to work as part of a team as well as having individual responsibilities.

Role Descriptions: 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: 20 February 2026.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role, please get in touch with Associate Professor Nicola Hyland ([email protected]).

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 and understand that if they do not have a current, relevant visa, they will need to secure this independently.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Applications from recruitment agencies are not accepted.

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.