Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer/ Associate Professor in Industrial Design

Victoria University of Wellington - Wellington Institute of Zhengzhou University

Location:	Zhengzhou - China
Salary:	Not Specified
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Permanent

Placed On:	9th March 2026
Closes:	24th March 2026
Job Ref:	1008925

• Do you appreciate the importance of teaching and learning best practice?
• Are you an experienced academic interested in a permanent role based in China?
• Have you got experience in supervising student research at Honours, Master’s, and/or PhD level?

About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently seeking an academic with expertise in Industrial Design, and we will consider applicants from entry level to senior academics, to join the exciting, new Wellington Institute of Zhengzhou University joint educational partnership in Zhengzhou, China, on a permanent, full-time basis.

The level of appointment, either Pūkenga - Lecturer, Pūkenga Matua - Senior Lecturer, or Ahonuku - Associate Professor, will depend on the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.

This role is based in China full-time, and 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 include the following:

• Academically rigorous teaching across undergraduate level
• Contribution to the collegial development of the programme, School, and Faculty
• On-going research activity appropriate for career stage
• Senior appointments may be asked to contribute to programme leadership

About you

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.

You will have excellent oral and written communication skills in English as well as excellent interpersonal skills. You will ideally have demonstrated expertise in teaching and research or the practice of digital fabrication and industrial design history.

The successful candidate will preferably have a PhD, but must have a Master’s degree in an appropriate discipline.

This position is one of the first 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 include the following:

• A completed PhD, or at least Master’s degree in Industrial Design
• 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

Role Description:

Pūkenga | Lecturer in Industrial Design
Pūkenga Matua | Senior Lecturer in Industrial Design
Ahonuku | Associate Professor in Industrial Design

Close date for vacancy: Tuesday, 24 March 2026.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role, please get in touch with Ahorangi - Professor Leon Gurevitch, Tumuaki - Head of School, Te Kura Hoahoa - School of Design Innovation (leon.gurevitch@vuw.ac.nz).

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 must be eligible to work in China. 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.