Structural Design

Victoria University of Wellington | Te Herenga Waka is currently recruiting for new academic staff members in Industrial Design to join the exciting, new Wellington Institute of Zhengzhou University joint educational partnership in Zhengzhou, China, on a permanent, full-time basis.

ABOUT THE ROLE | KORERO MO TE TURANGA

The level of appointment, either Lecturer | Pukenga, Senior Lecturer | Pukenga Matua, or Associate Professor | Ahonuku, will depend on the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications. This role is based in China full-time. Teaching is to be conducted in English. As this is an international programme, we welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from New Zealand and overseas.

Key responsibilities:
• Academically rigorous teaching across undergraduate level.
• Postgraduate supervision.
• Contribution to the collegial development of the programme, School, and Faculty.
• On-going research activity appropriate for career stage.
• Engagement with industry or the design professions.
• Senior appointments may be asked to contribute to programme leadership.

ABOUT YOU | O PUMANAWA

You will:
• Be passionate about teaching industrial design in a contemporary international context to a diverse range of Chinese students, and appreciate the importance of teaching and learning best practice.
• Have excellent oral and written communication skills in English as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ideally have demonstrated expertise in teaching and research or with a focus on the practice and theory of emerging technologies and the role they will play in developing industrial design, industry and human futures.

The successful candidate will preferably have a PhD, but must have a Master’s degree in an appropriate discipline alongside industry experience. This position is one of a series of appointments being made to this joint institute where the appointees will be based in China. Candidates will be expected to show leadership and collegiality in developing academic programmes.

Key requirements:
• A completed PhD, or equivalent industry experience and at least a Master’s degree in Industrial Design.
• Evidence of impact-oriented design research.
• Demonstrated evidence of a high standard of teaching in a relevant field at tertiary level.
• Demonstrated evidence of leadership in tertiary education.
• Ability to work with students and staff from a diverse range of backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising student research at Honours, Master’s, and/or PhD level.
• An online portfolio demonstrating Industrial Design practice, teaching and research.

Role Description: Click the application link to see further information, including salary details.

Close date for vacancy: 30 October 2026.