Te Tari PÅ«hanga Hangarau| Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

(Computational Design & Adaptation (CDA) group)

Located in ÅŒtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• Fixed-term (9 months) position

Ä€u Mahi | What You Will Do

The Computational Design & Adaptation (CDA) group at the University of Canterbury (UC), invites applications for a fixed-term, Assistant Lecturer in the field of adaptive optics for space situational awareness. The successful candidate will join the in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and have two primary responsibilities. Firstly, research on optical wavefront sensors will be required for object detection in space using telescopes at the UC Mount John Field station. Secondly, you will provide some assistance to support undergraduate teaching, in subjects that include embedded systems and programmable logic.

Research will comprise the design and development of a photometry-based spacecraft detection system for use with small to 1m class optical telescopes. Adaptive optics will be used to reduce the effects of atmospheric distortion and light scatter for improved image resolution of satellites at, and beyond geostationary orbit. Specialist use of optical design packages will be required for modelling optoelectrical designs. Subsequently, knowledge and practical experience of optical and electronic systems is a requirement for this position. As part of this Assistant Lecturer role, some teaching, laboratory, and supervisory duties will also be required to support our embedded systems undergraduate courses. Assistance with postgraduate students may also be required.

You will be involved in the design, development, technology integration, and on-sky field work using a 60 cm class telescope at the and this may include our collaborative group's facilities at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Canberra. The work team includes research staff, comprising a Senior Postdoctoral Fellow and Project Leader, both of whom are based in Christchurch, NZ, and a Senior Consultant based in Canberra.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Contribute to the design and simulation of optical systems for wavefront propagation using commercial, open source, and custom software.
• Oversee and be responsible for the setup of optical configurations in our optics laboratory that include Class 3A and 3B lasers, which are based on laser diode and HeNe sources.
• Assist with and possibility manage observation runs and visits to the University of Canterbury Mt. John Observatory near Lake Tekapo, NZ.
• Advise staff on electro-optical characterizations and equipment/component purchases.
• Review the state-of-the-art in related fields of research, i.e., publications in journals, conferences and patent applications.
• Engage in the dissemination of the results from related research.
• Contribute to the outputs generated by our CDA Group, i.e., contribute to publication of journal articles and conference papers.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
• Ensure all activities and equipment are compliant with the required UC and ANZ Health and Safety standards.
• Council, guide, and where necessary, instruct our CDA group of postgraduate students, which may lead to a possible associate supervision role.
• A period of undergraduate teaching and/or laboratory supervision in related fields, i.e., electronic (microprocessors) and project engineering (research applications) within our department, will be required.

Mōu | Who You Are

You will hold a PhD in a relevant field such as Physics, Electrical and/or Computer Engineering, or within a related discipline as well as having:

• Strong theoretical and experimental skills with hands-on experience with practical and computing components, modules and instrumentation, i.e., lasers, amplifiers, microprocessors, etc. are required.
• Experience in optics and related image processing is an essential requirement.
• The candidate must demonstrate an academic record of scientific excellence and independent research.
• Experience in programming languages, such as C/C++, Matlab, Python, and familiarisation with communication and optical laboratory procedures and instrumentation would be beneficial.

• Excellent communication, writing, organisation and interpersonal skills.
• sSelf-motivation and ability to demonstrate initiative.

• The capability of working within a project team environment to achieve results, and have a commitment to personal development.

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Additional skills which would be desirable include:

• Design of optical systems using commercial software, such as Zemax.
• Familiarisation with spatial light modulators, bimorph mirrors, and optical wavefront sensors.
• Operation and programming of microcontrollers and/or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).
• Fast prototyping (CAD, printed circuit board design, 3D printing, etc.).
• Experience in undergraduate teaching of embedded systems-related courses.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

You will be working in a strong and supportive Department that has a passion for excellence in research and teaching. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering fosters close collaborative connections within the Department, supporting and enabling your creativity and development. We also facilitate collaboration with other groups in the University, including the Departments of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, the Human Interface Technologies Lab, the Wireless Research Centre, and the Electric Power Engineering Centre. Existing research collaborations are also active with a number of other Universities and research institutes in New Zealand and from around the world. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers both within and outside of your core interests, in an inclusive and supportive environment.

For more information about our team and facilities, please visit us at

We value manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha and these uara (values) guide our decisions and behaviour. Our values provide a roadmap for how we do things, affirming our commitment to the oranga (health, safety and wellbeing) of our students through mana-enhancing pastoral care and support. Ngā Uara challenge and inspire us to be the best we can be. They make UC a great place to work and study.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

Tangata TÅ«, Tangata Ora - Engaged, Empowered, Making a Difference.

Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury stands for whanaungatanga - we value people and their differences, manaakitanga - we extend care and empower others, and tiakitanga - we will enhance and nurture our resources.

The University of Canterbury is committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good and determined to make a difference in the world.

We offer a range of fantastic benefits. For more information, please visit us:

For more information about the University of Canterbury, please visit

The closing date for this position is: Sunday 3rd April 2022 (midnight NZ time)

Please note applications will be reviewed after the close date.

PÄ“hea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted online through our careers website and should include:

• a 'cover letter' including a 2-3 page statement outlining your research interests and goals and teaching philosophy
• a 'resume' which includes a list of relevant research publications.

We do not accept applications by email; however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process. Please forward these to

For further information specifically about the role, please contact: Stephen Weddell

Important Information

This role requires that you are, and remain, fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including any periodic boosters required by law or required to obtain a My Vaccine Pass), during your employment with the University of Canterbury.

Due to current border restrictions, you must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role.

University of Canterbury