Who we are

The School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences/Te Kura Para-Whakawai at the University of Otago/ t kou Whakaihu Waka is internationally recognised for excellence in research, teaching and community engagement. Since 2017, it has been ranked among the world's top 25 universities for sport-related subjects in the QS World University Rankings. The School is home to an interdisciplinary community of scholars working across the natural sciences, social sciences, health sciences and humanities. We are committed to research that is internationally recognised, locally relevant, and responsive to the aspirations of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Role

We invite applications for a full-time, permanent Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Sport Development and Management. The successful applicant will have expertise in Sport Development and Management informed by critical socio-cultural, policy and management scholarship.

Key responsibilities include:

Developing an impactful research programme, publishing in high-quality peer-reviewed journals, securing external research funding, and supervising postgraduate research students.
Coordinating and delivering research-informed teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including Sport Development and Management (SPEX209), Advanced Sport Management (SPEX314), and Advanced Topics in Sport Management and Policy (SPEX461) with contributions to the taught Master of Sport Development and Management.
Contributing to curriculum development and academic leadership within the Sport Development and Management major.
Contributing to the effective operation of the School through service, engagement and collegial participation within the University and wider community.
Promoting and contributing to the University's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its M ori and Pacific strategic frameworks.

Your skills and experience

To be successful in this role, candidates will have:

A completed doctoral degree in Sport Development, Sport Management, Sport Leadership, or a closely related field.
Experience of effective undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in a tertiary environment.
A strong publication record, commensurate with career stage, and demonstrated potential to secure competitive research funding.
Experience supervising postgraduate research students.
Commitment to upholding values, tikanga, kawa and traditions as guided by Ng i Tahu, mana whenua in the region.
Ability to build productive collaborations and work collegially.
Practical experience supporting sport development and management initiatives within communities, including indigenous contexts, is desirable.

Further Details

This is a unique opportunity for a creative and committed academic to make a significant contribution to Sport Development and Management through teaching, research and engagement while joining a collegial and dynamic School. Sport Development and Management is a vibrant area within the School, with strengths in policy, management, sociology, coaching, psychology and history.

This is a permanent, full-time (1 FTE) position based in tepoti, Dunedin.

The appointment range for a Lecturer is $97,377 to $114,943 and Senior Lecturer is $120,494 to $137,444.

Specific enquiries may be directed to Professor Michael Sam, Interim Dean, School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences via mike.sam@otago.ac.nz

Application

Candidates are requested to submit:

A CV.
A letter of application.
3-4 Referee contact details, including telephone number and email address.

To submit your application please click the 'Apply' button above. Applications quoting reference number 2601283 will close on Sunday, 18 October 2026.