[welsh_italian]

Hi everyone,

Just a question about the EOI application.

I am applying for a lectureship in a NZ university. My experience is a PhD (which counts as a postgrad qualification and is from an accredited UK university) and a 3 year postdoc research fellowship (at the same Uni). Does this time count towards experience as a lecturer? I ask because I did research, took lectures etc much the same as any lecturer when in this post.

Thanks in advance.

[sekilau]

I think it is two different thing

You can submit your PHD transcript/certification to NZQA for assessment report. You DO need this if you want to claim point for your academic background. If thing goes smooth, you may get Level 10 according to NZ qualification structure. i will recommend you to file NZQA assessment in parallel for saving time.

postdoc does not give you extra point on academic scoring (a PHD degree scores 60 pts, which is also maximum possible point on academic background). I guess your three year full time may able to get recongize as relevent working experience. if you want to score bonus point from job on shortage list, your three year fellowship may help. u need your employer to write you a reference (or providing some supporting document) so your case officer can judge you have relevent experience or not.

this is only my 2 cents. you may ask other ppl in this forum for more suggestion.



Hi everyone,

Just a question about the EOI application.

I am applying for a lectureship in a NZ university. My experience is a PhD (which counts as a postgrad qualification and is from an accredited UK university) and a 3 year postdoc research fellowship (at the same Uni). Does this time count towards experience as a lecturer? I ask because I did research, took lectures etc much the same as any lecturer when in this post.

Thanks in advance.

[TonnyTessa]

I am in exactly the same position as you. Only slightly further ahead in the process. I submitted my ITA a week ago, now waiting. The only question the visa officer asked so far was in which town I was born... ??? says where in my passport, on my birth certificate and on my form somehere, but never mind.

Anyway, I did count my post doc experience as work experience. My new lecturer position has 40% research in it, so in my opinion research experience definitely should count. It was in the same field of study as I am going to be teach in, so very relevant indeed. I am assuming the same is true for you, so I would definitely use it if I were you. You have to be able to back it up with evidence of course. Thing is without those 3 years post-doc experience they probably wouldn't have hired you, can't make it more relevant than that. So far they have accepted it without questions, but I don't have PR yet, so may need to come back to you at that.

As for get your PhD assesed by NZQA as Sekilau suggest, no need for that if yours is from an accredited UK university.

Just one little bit of confusion, you say you are applying for a lectureship and filling in EOI? I am assuming you actually already have the job, otherwise wait with EOI, things can be slow in the university admin offices I found (5 months for me from applying to having signed contract) and once you receive your ITA you only have 4 months!

Hope that helps, if you would like some more info feel free to pm!

[welsh_italian]

Thanks very much for the replies. I don't think I will need to submit for NZQA as my university is internationally accredited and is recognised by NZIS.

TonyTessa: I'm still in the application stage (closing date is early next year) but I'm keen to move already! I guess that universities in general have lots of experience of employing people from abroad so getting help with the visa application would be quite straightforward (things like: confirming that I have a job, NZIS accepting that no NZer can do it etc). It's on the LTSSL too which helps. There's such a long way to go but I can dream!

The position is (I understand) mostly research based so the fellowship (which extended my PhD and is related to my field) should be relevant. Thanks very much for that - I was worried that an immigration officer might say, "well, it's not a lecturing position so it isn't relevant". The visa application should be okay as I have good health, no criminal record and get 190 points! :eek:

How did you find the competition for your position? Was there much / was it strong?

[TonnyTessa]

Did I have a lot of competition? Some and none at the same time. I applied for the job, not sure how many others did the same. They phoned 6 people for a phone interview, so a decent amount. THen they asked 2 or 3 (not quite sure) to come to New Zealand for a face-to-face interview. When I was there they told me they were also considering me for a second position (which I never applied for). That is the job I eventually got. Nobody suitable had applied for it, so not much competition! Both positions were lectureships and the one I got actually better matches my interests and skills, so I am very happy about it :)

Hope you will be successful with your application. You won't know for a while I guess, it is a bit of a waiting game!

[welsh_italian]

Did I have a lot of competition? Some and none at the same time. I applied for the job, not sure how many others did the same. They phoned 6 people for a phone interview, so a decent amount. THen they asked 2 or 3 (not quite sure) to come to New Zealand for a face-to-face interview. When I was there they told me they were also considering me for a second position (which I never applied for). That is the job I eventually got. Nobody suitable had applied for it, so not much competition! Both positions were lectureships and the one I got actually better matches my interests and skills, so I am very happy about it :)

Hope you will be successful with your application. You won't know for a while I guess, it is a bit of a waiting game!

Yeah, it always is with academic jobs, isn't it? I have a phone interview for my industrial side tomorrow with a large bank based in Wellington. These guys are really quick off the mark (I only applied towards the end of last week) so I will have a lot of thinking about what I want to do (if I get any offers that is!). I'm in the odd position where academically I can survive well enough, but in industry I can get better benefits. I enjoy both sides and wish I could do them both.

For once, it doesn't seem like they have anyone in mind for this position (I applied for so many in other countries where they had someone lined up) but this post is for "lecturer / senior lecturer" with an open field. This seems like they are looking to get a wide range of applicants. Great news about being offered the different but more suitable position for you though!

Just out of curiosity, did they pay for travel and / or expenses when they called you for the interview?

[TonnyTessa]

Yep, their expenses! No way my UK academic salary would have been up to a jolly to NZ. THey did want value for their money though, had to do a lecture, a seminar, several meetings, several lunches plus dinner. Oh and actual interview of course ;) Have to say I really enojyed it though. Was a good way of meeting quite a few of the people I am going to be working with, socially as well as in the formal setting of the interview. I did take the opportunity to go on a bit of a holiday around the South Island at my own expense. It was fantastic. Really looking forward to going back end of December.

[deanojacks]

Friends,
I did my masters and worked as a Teaching assistant + research assistant as a part-time for 2 years while doing masters. Does this suit as a qualification for 'University lecturer' in order to claim bonus points? (because 'university lecturer' is in the absolute skills shortage list).

Please give your input. I am new around here. Thanks.

[BkyMonster]

Friends,
I did my masters and worked as a Teaching assistant + research assistant as a part-time for 2 years while doing masters. Does this suit as a qualification for 'University lecturer' in order to claim bonus points? (because 'university lecturer' is in the absolute skills shortage list).

Please give your input. I am new around here. Thanks.

From what I understand University Lecturer is a job title similar to what the US/Canada term associate professor. That is, a beginning permanent PhD position at a university.

[JandM]

Hello and welcome to the forum. :)

You don't mention which country you are in/from? This may make a difference. Most of the university lecturers I have come across in the UK in recent years have been the holders of doctorates, or were required to complete a doctorate in the early years of holding the post. A master's is probably the basic qualification for the role, but most institutions require more in practice.

What happens when NZ immigration considers a case is that they require supporting evidence to show that other people considered the applicant as what he says he is. So, since you did your master's, have you worked as a lecturer? It might help in claiming the status if you could show a contract for a position that had that designated title.

Sorry if this isn't what you want to hear.

[unar]

Same opinion here. I don't think a master degree and some research experience counts. University lecturer refer to people who has lecturer or professor positions at Universities. I over heard this while I was at NZIS.

I have a PhD and has over three years of postdoctoral experience, and I don't think I can claim the university lecturer points. But in my application I did state that I would qualify for such positions.

Hope this helps
-Una

[deanojacks]

Thank you BkyMonster, JandM and unar for your quick, detailed and friendly repies. They have been helpful.

This is my situation. Please feel free to comment whether I will be able to claim points. I hope the OP's question is resolved and I am not hijacking his/her thread.

I have done my undergrad from India (bachelor's) in chemical engineering, grad(Master's) from USA in paper engineering, got trained in IT field for about 6 months and I have been working in IT for about 3.5 years. My experience in IT is a little bit related to my Masters but mostly it is related to IT skills(programming, managing projects etc).

I am confused how to start and where to start.(PAR or NZQA or direct EOI?). Any others opinions are also appreciated.

Thanks and have a nice day.