Do you have a passion for combining newborn health care and world-leading research? In this exciting new opportunity, you will combine a dedicated academic role based at the Liggins Institute focused on research and post-graduate supervision with a role as a neonatal specialist in Newborn Services, Starship Child Health, working in New Zealand’s quaternary busy neonatal unit.

About the role

This role will see you building and leading your own research programme in perinatal / neonatal / child health, supervising post-graduate students, contributing to undergraduate teaching in the clinical medical programme and being part of a team of 8 neonatal specialists in a busy neonatal nursery that is part of New Zealand’s national children’s hospital and which, therefore, is involved in care of complex babies. National Women’s Health is the regional referral centre for fetal abnormalities and provides a national service for congenital heart disease in conjunction with the Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Service, Starship Child Health.

This role offers a lot of variety and, crucially, protected academic time (at least 0.5 FTE).  The research and postgraduate supervision components are based at the Liggins Institute, located within the Medical School Campus and directly across the road from the hospital and neonatal nursery.  Undergraduate teaching (0.1 FTE) is based within the Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. The clinical component is 0.4 to 0.5 FTE plus on-call shared equally with the other specialists.

Our ideal candidate

You will be a skilled neonatologist eligible to work as a specialist in New Zealand.  You will have training in research and, ideally, a doctoral degree.  Your research expertise may be in any area related to maternal, perinatal and child health, including basic science, clinical trials and knowledge translation. The Liggins Institute seeks academics who are keen to collaborate and work in a transdisciplinary way, both within and beyond the Institute.  Although you will lead your own research, we value people who also can contribute positively to a team.

You’ll be able to demonstrate strong relationship management skills, ideally in a complex and collaborative environment. You’ll also have strong leadership skills, perhaps gained through managing people already, or through other collaborative work environments.

For more detailed information about the responsibilities and requirements of the role, please review the Position Description.

Why work with us

At the Liggins Institute, you will enjoy a close-knit, high performing culture, driven by a shared vision to understand how early life events impact lifelong health. As Liggins Institute Director Professor Frank Bloomfield says, the Liggins Institute “feels like a family”. You’ll work alongside high-profile researchers (find out more here) and contribute to research that is truly life changing for future generations. 

The University of Auckland is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices and a culture that supports work-life balance
• Career development programmes
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave, with an additional day’s leave for each 0.1 FTE worked clinically

We also offer a 6.75% superannuation scheme, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, discounted onsite childcare and a number of other discounts on internal and external services.

For more information please visit our Staff Benefits page.

Apply

Applications should be submitted online, by the closing date of Friday 2nd of October 2020 (NZST) to be considered. Proof of vaccinations and VCA checks will be required.  Please include your cover letter and CV as part of your application.

If you have any questions about this role, please get in touch with Professor Frank Bloomfield, Director of the Liggins Institute, for a confidential discussion on [email protected].

While we are happy to answer questions by email, we ask that applications are submitted online. 

Qualifications

Essential:  

• eligible to work as a neonatal specialist in New Zealand
• PhD / MD or equivalent research experience

In accordance with our commitment to equitable recruitment, the University welcomes applications from all suitably qualified and experienced candidates. In response to COVID-19, the New Zealand Government has imposed a travel ban and are currently only allowing New Zealand Residents, Citizens and visa holders meeting a strict exception policy to enter the country, all of whom must currently enter Government approved quarantine for two weeks on arrival.  

 It is uncertain when these border restrictions will change, and this may impact the degree to which an off-shore candidate can engage in the interview process; or be available to commence in a new position. For more information and updates on the border restrictions visit the Immigration New Zealand website or the New Zealand Government’s official Covid-19 website.

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