Professor or Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

About the role

A rare opportunity to lead and teach within an internationally recognised occupational therapy programme, shaping contemporary research, education, and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand Seeking senior occupational therapy academics with research leadership expertise and a genuine commitment to culturally grounded and socially accountable practices Utilise your passion and expertise for innovative technology Permanent, full-time role with great work/life balance based in beautiful Auckland Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is bold and unapologetically different, centred on students and grounded in Knowledge that Works driven by talented, progressive people. We are New Zealand's newest university, ranked 5-stars by QS Universities 2025 and a place of opportunity where more than 27,000 students with talent and potential succeed, supported by a community of more than 4,000 staff based primarily across three Auckland campuses. Built on collaboration, shared purpose and the values of Pono (fact, truth, reality, integrity), Tika (acting accordingly, doing what is needed, ethical expression), and Aroha (empathy, care, compassion). AUT offers an innovative, forward-thinking environment where committed people work together to improve outcomes for students, communities, and the world. AUT recognises the importance of Te Tiriti , Māori and Pacific knowledge, leadership, and contribution across our university and is committed to creating environments where these communities can thrive. We embrace diversity in all its forms and are proud to welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs. The Department of Occupational Science and Therapy sits within our School of Allied Health in the dynamic Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, a nationally recognised leader in culturally safe health education and practice innovation. The School delivers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, and postgraduate rehabilitation, and is grounded in Te Aronui - AUT's Te Tiriti o Waitangi strategy - ensuring graduates are both clinically skilled and culturally responsive. Within this context, the Department is a well-established, research-informed academic unit committed to advancing knowledge and practice in occupation, health and wellbeing. It is known for strong practice, community, and research partnerships across Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, and for fostering innovation, inclusion, and equity through teaching, research and practice. With a supportive, collegial culture that values diversity and the integration of mātauranga Māori, the Department provides an exceptional environment for academic leadership, collaboration, and impactful research that improves health outcomes locally and globally. To learn more about Health Sciences at AUT and our department, please click here: https://www.aut.ac.nz/study/study-options/health-sciences The Opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi We have a permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week) opportunity for a motivated Professor or Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy to take on research leadership responsibilities and elevate the department's research profile to the next level. We are seeking a highly regarded scholar with the vision and capability to lead, grow, and strategically shape a dynamic research portfolio, building a strong, sustainable research culture that aligns with AUT's aspirations for excellence and impact. This role is predominantly research-focused, with a strong emphasis on building research capacity, mentoring staff, establishing high-performing teams and delivering impactful outputs that strengthen connections between community and research. With a values-driven approach to occupational therapy scholarship and a genuine commitment to equity and cultural responsiveness, the successful candidate will be a networked leader with a fresh perspective who can drive collaboration, foster capability, and advocate for consistency and quality in research and development. There is exciting potential to also extract research from an upcoming Masters of Occupational Therapy. You'll join an extremely collaborative and collegial department of approximately 15 staff (FTE) who are fantastic to work with and hold exceptional external relationships both within Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. Based in Auckland's North Shore, this position also offers the flexibility and lifestyle benefits of one of the world's most liveable cities, making it an exceptional opportunity to combine academic leadership with an outstanding quality of life. Please review the candidate information handbook available for this role (includes details on the department, school, faculty, AUT, the position description and more). What we offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou At AUT, you'll be part of a values-led university that supports you to th

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