Director, Liggins Institute

Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland is Aotearoa New Zealand’s pre-eminent higher education institution and a comprehensive, research-intensive university. This is reflected in our global ranking of 87 in the 2023 QS World University Rankings and our position as the only university ranked in the top ten of both THE University Impact Rankings and QS Sustainability Rankings for 2023.

• Lead the Liggins Institute, dedicated to improving lifelong health through excellent research into the determinants of a healthy life

• Join the top-ranked, research-intensive university in Aotearoa New Zealand

The Liggins Institute is one of the world’s leading research centres dedicated to improving lifelong health through excellent research into the determinants of a healthy life: before conception and at every stage of the lifespan. Established in 2001, the Institute has a multidisciplinary, predominantly research-active staff of 130 and revenue of $26 million per annum, with a track record of hosting national research collaborations.

The Institute hosts three university research platforms: the Human Health Research Platform, Ngapouri Research Farm and the Analytical Laboratory Platform, and is a partner in the University’s Mass Spectrometry Platform. The Grafton Clinical Genomics Facility is hosted by the Liggins Institute Laboratory. Postgraduate training programmes are based on multi-disciplinary approaches, supervised by investigators who have international reputations in a wide range of fields.

Candidates will convey their vision, energy and ambition for the continued success of the Liggins Institute and the contribution it makes to enabling a healthy start for a healthy life. We encourage applications from those with demonstrated eminence in their own international research careers who are motivated to provide leadership for our world-class research institute, whilst actively contributing through their own research and postgraduate supervision.

The Director will bring an interpersonal and leadership style that will inspire confidence and credibility with colleagues, funders, collaborators and philanthropists and that will enable continued growth and diversification of research revenue and partnerships with clinical, nutritional, agricultural and community sectors. The success of the Liggins Institute relies on the effective communication and translation of research findings and their relevance across scientific and clinical communities, to politicians, policy-makers and science leaders locally and internationally.

The Director reports to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research. The University of Auckland occupies a unique position in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific. It is New Zealand’s largest university with over 40,000 students and an international centre of learning and academic excellence. The University of Auckland is the largest research entity in the country generating 22% of our $1.3bn revenue through externally funded research and contracts.

The University’s mission and values place strong emphasis on both our student body and our scholarly community. We work with communities to advance the well-being of the peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. We have a clear commitment to pursuing sustainability.

The Liggins Institute is located on our Grafton campus, alongside the Faculty of Medical and Health Science (ranked in the top 100 universities in medical disciplines, in the QS world ranking) and adjacent to Auckland City Hospital and Starship Children’s Hospital. We aspire to contribute to a fair, ethical and sustainable society, reflecting our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our foundational relationship with tangata whenua. The University is committed to a culture that encourages and supports staff to reach their full potential in an inclusive and collaborative community of scholars. We welcome applications that will enhance the diversity of our staff and strengthen our links with diverse communities.

New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland is a vibrant cosmopolitan place with an abundance of natural features including a stunning harbour and accessible coastline, native bush and moderate temperatures, which help us to retain our reputation as one of the best cities in the world in which to live.

The appointment will be a substantive Professorial appointment with an immediate and concurrent 5-year term as Director, Liggins Institute.

Applications must be submitted via the University website www.jobs.auckland.ac.nz by 9 April 2023

Position Reference: REF18556X

Further information is available in the Candidate Booklet. For a confidential discussion please contact:

Clare Litten, University of Auckland, email: c.litten@auckland.ac.nz

Dr Kathrin Soehnel, University of Auckland, email: k.soehnel@auckland.ac.nz

Additional Information

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQITakatāpui+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other equity issues go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz