Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor of Public Health

Faculty of Dentistry
Division of Health Sciences

2023
CONTENTS

01 Welcome

03 University of Otago

05 Division of Health Sciences

07 Faculty of Dentistry

09 Position Profile

11 Living in Dunedun

13 Application process

14 Contact Details
01
WELCOME from the Vice-Chancellor
Thank you for your interest in this o
p sition at the
University of Otago.
I am privileged to be the Vice-Chancellor of this
outstanding University. We are committed to working
closely with iwi and Māori organisations and to making
mātauraka Māori an integral part of teaching and
research across the institution. Our relationship with
Ngāi Tahu as mana whenua within their takiwā of Te
Waipounamu and, through this, as the University’s
principal Treaty partner is especially important.
Our cultural location in the southern Pacific has also
become an important component of our institutional
identity and we have developed deep and strong links
to Pacific communities, both within New Zealand and
across the wider Pacific region.
Grounded in a distinctively Scottish commitment to the
value of education for people of diverse backgrounds,
the University of Otago has developed into an
institution distinguished by its excellent teaching and
research. As a university community, we are committed
to tackling big global challenges and educating the next
generation across a wide range of disciplines.
We rank in the top 1 per cent of universities in
the world and have been awarded five stars plus
– the highest rating possible – from the QS Stars
international quality evaluation system in recognition
not only of our exceptional teaching and research, but
also for innovation, inclusiveness, internationalisation,
the high standard of our facilities and the
employability of our graduates.
The University of Otago has become an enduring
educational, cultural and economic force in both the
city of Dunedin and across New Zealand as a whole.
We take seriously our role as critic and conscience of
society, and we attract students from throughout New
Zealand and around the world, providing them with a
world-class education and encouraging them to be the
best they can be.
At Otago, you have the opportunity to be part of
an outstanding academic community, offering both
challenges and opportunities. This will be an exciting
and rewarding role; I welcome your application.
Professor David Murdoch
MD MSc DTM&H FRACP FRCPA
FFSc(RCPA)
Vice-Chancellor
03
The University of Otago
Te Whare Wānanga o Otago
The n er t o Otago
an one o t ne t
tisaleaderacrossall4eldsofacademicendeavourthehumanities,sciences,
healthsciencesandbusinessregularlytoppingtheNewZealandTertiaryEducation
Commissionseducationperformanceindicators.
Students can choose from more than 200 undergraduate
and postgraduate programmes and are taught by leaders
in their fields. The high calibre of teaching at Otago is
reflected by an unparalleled record of success in the
country’s Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards.
Research excellence underpins all academic activity:
around 3,500 of the University’s students study at
postgraduate level. Otago is the home of New Zealand’s
first medical school and only schools of dentistry and
surveying. Otago also is New Zealand’s only provider
of Radiation Therapy and an undergraduate qualifi-
cation in Neuroscience. The University has leadership
roles in national Centres of Research Excellence and
partnership roles in all of the country’s National Science
Challenges. It also hosts multidisciplinary research
themes and research centres, including two of the
world’s most highly regarded health and development
longitudinal studies.
The teaching year generally runs from February to
November, broken into two 13-week semesters.
A number of programmes are offered via distance
learning and a Summer School is held for six weeks
during January and February.
TIn addition to research and teaching excellence, the
University is committed through its Strategic Direc-
tion to local, national and international betterment;
strong external engagement; sustainable capability; and
providing outstanding student experiences and campus
environments.
The main campus is located in Dunedin – internation-
ally recognised as one of the most beautiful campuses
in the world – with significant health sciences campuses
in Christchurch and Wellington, as well as a presence in
Invercargill and Auckland.
e ea an r t un er
The University’s lead strategic document, Strategic
Direction to 2020, identifies seven strategic imperatives
which are critical to its ongoing success. These are: ex-
cellence in research; excellence in teaching; outstanding
student experiences; outstanding campus environments;
commitment as a local, national and global citizen;
strong external engagement; and sustaining capability.
A new long-term strategic vision is currently under
consultation and it is this will identify key priorities to
guide the institution until 2040.
The University of Otago is also strategically committed
to furthering the aspirations of Māori, and our Pacific
neighbours, and has memoranda of understanding with
a number of iwi, in particular Ngāi Tahu, the mana
whenua of the University’s main area of operation.
With more than 85 per cent of students coming from
outside Dunedin, the University offers a unique
campus-based lifestyle, a special feature of which are
the 14 residential colleges located close to the heart of
all University activities.
Providing a world-class environment for students and
staff is a priority and the University has embarked on a
significant capital development programme in recent
years.
Otago was the first New Zealand university to achieve
Fair Trade status and the recently established Social
Impact Studio is fostering a growing culture of volun-
teerism among staff and students.
Further information is available from the
Universityswebsite otago.ac.nz aswell
asanumberofotherpublicationsincluding:

TheAnnualReport
otago.ac.nz/about/ozcial-documents

He Kitenga Research Highlights

otago.ac.nz/hekitenga

OtagoMagazine
otago.ac.nz/otagomagazine

University of Otago InBrief

otago.ac.nz/inbrief
05

Division of Health Sciences

Te Wāhanga Matua Mātau Hauora
Achieving Excellence – advancing health at home and around the o
w rld
Wha a te t ahurang hā a t a te hauora t e ā nga te ao

Mission Statement The Division also has a comprehensive offering of

postgraduate taught and research based degrees.
The Division of Health Sciences will provide New
Zealand society and other communities with a highly- With campuses in Dunedin, Christchurch and
qualified workforce in the health professions, and Wellington and multiple teaching hubs throughout
will lead research and academic advancement in the the country, the Division of Health Sciences has a
areas of health and biomedical science. The Division nationwide presence.
will promote health, health care and equitable health
outcomes through outstanding basic and applied The head of the Division is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
research, and world-class academic and professional (PVC), and the Deans (Heads of Schools) report to the
leadership. This will be achieved through research- PVC. There are over 6000 (EFTS) students with more
based undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional than 2,500 postgraduate taught and research students.
academic programmes of international standard in the Students are supported by over 500 (FTE) academic
health and biomedical sciences, and the translation of staff providing a student-academic staff ratio of close to
research into products and services to benefit society. 12 to one. More than 300 (FTE) professional staff work
for the Division supporting its teaching and research
activities.
TheDivisionofHealthSciencesispleased
tohostthefollowingprofessional
programmes:
• Bachelor of Dental Surgery
• Bachelor of Dental Technology
• Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
• Bachelor of Oral Health
• Bachelor of Pharmacy
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy
• Bachelor of Radiation Therapy
• Nursing (postgraduate entry)

nadditiontothese,thereisanextensive
rangeofprogrammesoeredbythe
School of Biomedical Sciences through 5
departments:
• Department of Anatomy
• Department of Biochemistry
• Department of Microbiology and Immunology
• Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Department of Physiology
 06

The Division of Health Sciences’ strength is seen in its

diverse and successful research capabilities. Much of its
research results in tangible benefits for New Zealand.

There are numerous areas of research

expertiseincluding:
• Hosting of two National Science Challenges; Ageing
Well and Healthier Lives
• Partners in the Better Start National Science
Challenge
• Co-host of a national CoRE; Brain Research New
Zealand – Rangahau Roro Aotearoa
• Leading and hosting Genomics Aotearoa
• Healthy housing
• Mental health
• Oral health
• Monitoring of medication use
• Cardiovascular disease
• Screening programme for stomach cancer
• Prevention and treatment measures for diabetes and
obesity
• Biomedical and biological sciences.
• Pain @ Otago.

Eachcampushasalargenumber
ofprestigiousresearchgroups.
Theseinclude:
• Brain Health Research Centre
• Christchurch Heart Institute
• Centre for Neuroendocrinology
• Centre for Translational Cancer Research
• Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research
• Genetics Otago
• New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities
• Otago Global Health Institute for Oral Health
• One Health Aotearoa for Infectious Diseases.

otago.ac.nz/healthsciences
07

Faculty of Dentistry
The University of Otago Faculty of The Faculty of Dentistry’s main building in Dunedin is
Dentistrywasfoundedin1907andisthe housed in a stand-alone facility, located adjacent to the
Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and the
nationalDentalSchoolforNewZealand. School of Biomedical Sciences. It is close to the Dunedin
Therearecurrentlythreedepartments Hospital and the agreed new site for the Dunedin
withintheFaculty:OralDiagnosticand Hospital. It has 250 clinical chairs, together with
SurgicalSciences,OralRehabilitationtechnical laboratories and a modern dental simulation
andOralSciences.Thedepartmentsare facility. There is a general anaesthetic and sedation
facility within the Faculty, while lecture theatres, seminar
supportedbytheSirJohnWalshResearch rooms and computer laboratories are provided through
nstitute. the University. All clinical and laboratory facilities are
University owned.
Academic staff are supported by a team of full-time
and part-time professional staff. The Faculty offers The University Library system has six major libraries
undergraduate programmes in Dental Surgery, Dental containing over 1.38 million items with access to on-line
Technology, and Oral Health (Dental Hygiene and catalogues, databases and journals. The Medical School
Dental Therapy). At the graduate level, the Faculty offers Library, which includes the dental collection is a two-
the degrees of Doctor of Clinical Dentistry and Master minute walk from the Faculty of Dentistry.
of Community Dentistry, together with Postgraduate
Diplomas in Clinical Dentistry, Community Dentistry
and Clinical Dental Technology. Dental graduates may Research at the Faculty of Dentistry
also proceed to the degree Doctor of Dental Science.
The University also offers programmes leading to the Research in the Faculty of Dentistry is carried out
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences, Postgraduate within the Sir John Walsh Research Institute and
Diploma in Health Sciences, the degree of Master of underpins the teaching of dentistry, its clinical practice,
Health Sciences and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. and the identification of oral health-related problems.
Entry to second year classes in Dentistry is restricted Researchers in the Faculty are committed to developing
to 60 New Zealand students. In addition, up to 68 new knowledge of oral science and how to best improve
full fee-paying overseas students may be admitted. oral health. A major strength of the Faculty has been
After completing the Health Sciences First Year or a the establishment of substantive research themes
degree, those admitted proceed to a further four-year which include Biomechanics and Oral Implantology,
programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Dental Dental Epidemiology and Public Health, Education
Surgery. Details of the undergraduate curriculum are Research, Molecular Microbiology, Oral Molecular
set out in the University Calendar. The curriculum is Immunopathology and Clinical Research.
accredited by the Dental Council of New Zealand thus Further details of research programmes can be found
allowing BDS graduates to practice in New Zealand and on the Sir John Walsh Research Institute website
Australia. The programmes in Oral Health and Dental (http://sjwri.otago.ac.nz/research/sjwri/). The Sir John
Technology are also accredited by the Dental Council Walsh Research Institute has the facilities necessary to
and allow registration as a dental therapist, dental undertake molecular biology, oral immunology, cell
hygienist and dental technician respectively. These are biology, microbiological, and biochemical research,
three year programmes and do not involve the Health including DNA, RNA and protein analysis, PCR and
Sciences First Year. real time PCR, hybridization, DNA sequencing and
The teaching year ranges from early February to early HPLC. The Institute also has facilities for tissue culture,
December, divided into two semesters. Some papers are biomaterials research and clinical research.
offered in a single semester.

Facilities

The Faculty of Dentistry’s buildings have recently been

redeveloped with new buildings in Dunedin, Auckland
and South Dunedin.
09
PositionPro4le
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor
Teaching
• Conduct research-informed teaching across a range
of courses in the Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor
of Oral Health, Master of Community Dentistry and
Doctor of Clinical Dentistry programmes.
• Teach to a standard which meets the quality expected in
the Faculty of Dentistry.
• Prepare course plans, outlines and materials for
delivery of classes, in consultation with other
colleagues.
• Facilitate learning by presenting lectures, tutorials,
seminars, and workshops.
• Develop assessment material related to courses taught;
• Provide assessment and feedback to students on their
progress towards learning outcomes.
• Foster the development of individual student talent;
• Implement innovations in teaching, assessment and
curriculum development.
• Provide course advice, where appropriate.
• Act as the convenor of one or more papers.
• Provide postgraduate supervision.
Research
• Produce quality-assured publications within the field or
discipline, either individually or as part of a group.
• Obtain research funding.
• Conduct research and take part in effective research
collaborations.
• Attend and present papers at academic conferences,
both nationally and internationally.
• Engage in scholarly activities (such as acting as a referee
or examiner).
Community
• Contribute to administration in their Department or
School, Division and the University.
• Represent the Department externally through
contributions to committees and/or working parties
within the Division or wider University.
• Share knowledge with the community outside the
University and contributinge to local and national
communities through involvement in the development
of policy, practice, and cultural activities (such as iwi/
Māori development).
• Contribute to the research environment.
• Contribute to the dental profession.
Compliance
Remain fully compliant with all University regulations
and policies for safe and ethical conduct in all activities.
This includes compliance with all regulations for the
management of biologicals, hazardous chemicals, and the
ethical requirements for the use of animal and human
material, as appropriate.
Health and Safety
• Ensure that health and safety practices are observed in
all workplace activities.
• Ensure that exemplary health and safety practice is
taught to students in relation to the discipline.
• Report all accidents, incidents and near-misses in
accordance with policy.
• Take responsibility for ensuring that relevant health
and safety training has been completed.
• Identify and report all hazards.
• Assist the Department Health and Safety Officer when
requested.
Other Duties
Carry out any other duties, requested by the Head of
Department/Dean or designated supervisor that reasonably
fall within the broad parameters of the position or as an
employee of the University.
Refer also otago.ac.nz/humanresources/training/academic-
staff/academic-titles/index.html
Yourskillsandexperience
The ideal candidate will hold a Master of Public Health or
Master of Community Dentistry (or equivalent) and be
PhD-qualified. They should have knowledge of the New
Zealand health system and New Zealand health policy. It
is not necessary for the applicant to be dentally qualified
– we are primarily seeking applicants with public health
expertise.
The successful candidate will have:
• A record of internationally peer-reviewed published
research.
• Excellent teaching skills at undergraduate and
postgraduate levels.
• A collaborative and collegial approach to work.
• Full understanding of the principles of the Treaty
of Waitangi and the University’s Māori Strategic
Framework.
 10

Con4rmationPath/ Tenure
This is a full-time confirmation path appointment with
confirmation of appointment after five years, subject
to satisfactory performance. Early confirmation for
Professors is possible after three years.

EqualEmploymentOpportunities

The Division of Health Sciences is strongly committed to

diversity in staffing, and we encourage applications from
women and other under-represented groups who are
suitably qualified. Parental leave without pay of up to 52
weeks including paid parental leave of up to twelve weeks’
salary may be granted. The Otago University Childcare
Centre operates childcare facilities covering the period
from birth to 5 years.

TreatyofWaitangiandtheMāoriStrategic
Framework

The Division of Health Sciences is committed to its

obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and the
University’s Māori Strategic Framework. The school’s
broader aims include improving the recruitment,
retention and support of Māori students and staff; to
develop research that is of relevance to Māori, as well
as research that is carried out in a way that is sensitive
to Tikanga; and establish oversight which will link the
School with Ngāi Tahu and other stakeholders.
11
Living in Dunedin
The University of Otago’s southern roots are anchored in its formal relationship with
manawhenuaNgāiTahuandthelegacyofthecitysScottishsettlerswhoestabli
university here within just 21 years of founding the province from which the University
takes its name.
Dunedin grew rich on the back of the 1860s Otago gold
rush, a wealth that is reflected today in streetscapes
of outstanding Victorian and Edwardian architecture.
With a population of around 130,000, this is a small
but sophisticated city, boasting many of the amenities
and cultural richness usually only found in much larger
urban centres, while still retaining its traditional
friendliness and ease of getting around.
In Dunedin there are professional theatres, outstanding
art galleries, museums and libraries. Dunedin is also
recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature. For those
who enjoy sports, Dunedin offers world-class sporting
facilities – including New Zealand’s only covered sta-
dium. For those who enjoy the outdoors, Dunedin has
beautiful beaches and internationally acclaimed wildlife
sanctuaries. The world’s only mainland Royal Albatross
Colony is located on the headland at the entrance to
Otago Harbour.
The heart of the city is lined with cafés and restaurants,
and modern shopping complexes trade alongside
interesting boutiques and a weekly farmers’ market
that provides an outlet for much of the area’s first-rate
produce.
Thanks to the foresight of the early planners, there are
many parks and green spaces, and outstanding views are
commonplace from the city’s hillside suburbs.
Dunedin is also the gateway to Central Otago: the re-
sort towns of Wanaka and Queenstown – New Zealand’s
adventure capital – are just over three hours’ drive away.
Skiing, snowboarding, boating, mountain-biking and
wine tasting are just a few of the many activities to be
enjoyed.
However, it is education that is one of Dunedin’s most
defining features and its major industry. This is a true
student city. In addition to the University of Otago, the
city hosts a thriving polytechnic and excellent pre-
school, primary and secondary education facilities.
University students, staff and their families comprise
more than one quarter of the population of urban
Dunedin, enriching the intellectual, cultural and
sporting life of the city.
And, while Dunedin is located in the south of New
Zealand, it is very well connected. The region has two
international airports with direct flights to Australia,
and is New Zealand’s first GigCity with one gigabit per
second broadband services. Sister city relationships are
fostered with Edinburgh (Scotland), Otaru (Japan) and
Shanghai (China).
More information about living in Dunedin is available at
dunedinnz.com
12
13

Applicationprocess

Submitting an Aplp ication

TheUniversityseekswrittendocuments
fromcandidateswishingtoapplyforthe
role.
Candidates are therefore required to
provide:
• A CV, including employment history.
• A letter of application addressing the Person Profile.
• 3-4 Referee contact details, including telephone
number and email address.

Con4dentialenquiriesmaybedirectedto:
Professor Andrew Tawse-Smith
Department of Oral Sciences
andrew.tawse-smith@otago.ac.nz

Referees
The University may contact all three or four referees
listed in the application. The candidate should also state
their relationship with each referee. Referees will only be
contacted after prior consultation with the candidate. It is
the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that their referees
are willing to provide reports when contacted.

The University reserves the right to seek reports on

the suitability of candidates from experts in the field,
other than those nominated by the candidate. Should
an applicant not wish a specific person or persons to be
contacted, please advise the recruitment team at the time
of application.

DateofAppointment
Applicants are asked to indicate the date they would expect
to be available to take up the appointment.
The appointment is available immediately.
14