Head of Department of General Practice & Primary Health Care

Overview

Head of Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care; Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor / Professor.

Responsibilities

• Attract, inspire and mentor the next generation of medical students to achieve their potential.
• Lead the Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care to have real impact on the health of all New Zealanders.
• Live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest, most cosmopolitan and culturally diverse city.

About the University and School

The University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading and most comprehensive, research-intensive university (ranked #65 in 2026 QS World University Rankings). It sits in the top 30 of THE University Impact Rankings (#28) and QS Sustainability Rankings for 2025 (#17). The School of Population Health is located on the Grafton campus, within the Faculty of Medical and Health Science and adjacent to Auckland City Hospital and Starship Children’s Hospital. The School’s mission is to collaborate to provide knowledge and skills to improve the health of all New Zealanders. The School is organised into six sections : General Practice and Primary Health Care, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Systems, Audiology, Pacific Health, and Social and Community Health. While the student body is primarily postgraduate, the School also offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Health Sciences and contributes to medical training from the second to sixth year.

Department and Role

The Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care leads rural health and immunisation initiatives and offers extensive teaching and research programmes from undergraduate to doctoral levels. Staff are engaged in a broad range of research including chronic disease management, mental health, health equity, and professional education. The department also houses the Goodfellow Unit providing continuing education to GPs, nurses and other primary health care professionals.

We invite applications from qualified GPs with an established research and innovative teaching profile in General Practice and / or Primary Health Care. You will be enthusiastic about providing academic leadership in your field and continuing to grow your research profile. You will also demonstrate commitment to high-quality research-informed teaching and to supporting and mentoring postgraduate students and early-career researchers, creating a positive, supportive, and collaborative environment in which they will thrive.

As Head of Department you will bring an inclusive and collaborative leadership style, contributing to an environment that fosters excellence in research, teaching and learning. Enable both clinical and academic staff to realise their potential and success. The appointee will demonstrate personal credibility and interpersonal skills essential to contributing to the leadership, relevance and reputation of the Department and Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

Appointed to a substantive academic role (0.8 FTE) at a level consistent with the University of Auckland Academic Standards, you will have an MBChB or equivalent degree and ideally be a practising / registered GP with some experience in tertiary teaching and research.

Location and Community

The University of Auckland occupies a unique position in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific as its largest university and an international centre of learning and academic excellence. Auckland is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a population of 1.6 million and is the commercial heart of Aotearoa New Zealand. The city offers natural features including harbours, coastline, native bush and moderate temperatures, supporting Auckland’s reputation as a great place to live.

Equity and Inclusion

We aspire to contribute to a fair, ethical, and sustainable society, reflecting our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our 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 from Māori and Pacific candidates, as well as other applicants who will enhance the diversity of our staff and strengthen our links with diverse communities.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by 19 October 2025 (further details in the Candidate booklet).

Confidential Conversation

For a Confidential Conversation About The Role, Please Contact : Dr Kathrin Soehnel, Academic Executive Search Consultant, University of Auckland,

Position Reference : REF36312N

Equity Statement

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 information on services for Māori, Pacific people, women, LGBTQI communities, and people with disabilities, and for flexible work and other circumstances, go to

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