Kia ora , and welcome to the latest edition of Doctoral News.

This week’s newsletter highlights a range of career development offerings and updates as part of our Focus on Doctoral Careers throughout September and October. If you’re considering an academic pathway, remember that applications for our year-long Academic Career Advancement Programme are closing at the end of the month. For a lighter online version of ACAP, check out our Academic Career Perspectives series running through October to strengthen your preparation for an academic career.

Read on to learn more, plus discover more news, notices, scholarships, and resources for every stage of your doctoral journey. 

Ngā mihi nui,
Te Kura Akoranga Tohu Paerua | The School of Graduate Studies (SGS)

News

Research Showcase entry deadline extended

Missed out on submitting your poster or image into the 2026 Research Showcase in time? Don't worry! Late entries will be accepted until Friday 25 September. Enter the showcase to enhance your research communication skills, get your research noticed, broaden its impact, and grow your networks. Learn more.

Spotlight on: CDES Doctoral support

Sam Standley and Shannon Ring (L-R) are dedicated to supporting postgraduate and doctoral candidates with career planning, job search strategies, networking, interviews, professional branding, and career readiness. As part of our Focus on Doctoral Careers, we're introducing you to Sam and Shannon – and we encourage you to make the most of their many support offerings. 

Sam Standley 
Sam enjoys helping doctoral candidates feel confident and positive about their future careers, whether inside or outside of academia. She particularly values supporting students to understand the New Zealand employment market and develop effective networking skills. 

Outside work, Sam enjoys ocean swimming, yoga, sailing, and spending time with her family. You might be surprised to learn that she has sailed three oceans and hiked in the Andes – but she still loves gardening and knitting! 

Shannon Ring 
Shannon is passionate about helping doctoral candidates recognise the value of their research expertise, communicate their skills to employers and leverage their knowledge to create fulfilling career opportunities. 

Alongside her role at the University, Shannon runs a career coaching practice and a partner-dance school. She enjoys nature, yoga, meditation, and travel. She has visited more than 35 countries and speaks Spanish and Portuñol.

Learn more about CDES or book a one-on-one personalised appointment.

Opportunities

Aiming for an academic career?

Applications for the 2027 Academic Career Advancement programme close on Wednesday 30 September. If you're considering a career in academia, don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to explore key aspects of academic life, build interdisciplinary relationships with academics across the University, and get a head start in the academic job market. Learn more and apply for ACAP.

If you miss out on a place in ACAP, or if you’d simply prefer something with a lighter commitment, you can join our online Academic Career Perspectives series. It’s a bit like a condensed version of ACAP, and it’s open to everyone.

Networking and Professional Visibility 

Join this Doctoral Career Series workshop to learn how to build professional connections and explore practical approaches to networking in Aotearoa New Zealand. Throughout the workshop, you will learn to confidently communicate the value of your PhD and transferable skills. 5 October: Doctoral Career Series: Networking and Professional Visibility (City Campus)

 Preparing for the Job Market

At this Doctoral Career Series workshop you will learn how to analyse job advertisements and tailor your CV, explore how to communicate your academic experience and transferable skills to different audiences, and delve into using AI to support your career preparation. 12 October: Doctoral Career Series: Preparing for the Job Market (City Campus)

What's on

Career development

28 September: NEW! Doctoral Career Series: Exploring Career Pathways with guest speaker, John Hunt, PhD (City Campus)
2 October: Academic Career Perspectives: Introduction to academia and getting a job (Zoom)
5 October: NEW! Doctoral Career Series: Networking and Professional Visibility (City Campus)
9 October: Academic Career Perspectives: Research and Publishing (Zoom)
12 October: NEW! Doctoral Career Series: Preparing for the Job Market (City Campus)
16 October: Academic Career Perspectives: Service (Zoom)
20 October: Doctoral Morning Tea: Career Lounge (City Campus)
23 October: Academic Career Perspectives: Teaching (Zoom)
29 October: Researcher Skills and Career Planning for Academia and Beyond (Zoom)

Candidature essentials

19 October: Fundamentals of Project Management for Research Projects (Zoom)
Ongoing: English Language Learning Groups (City Campus)
Ongoing: Writing in English Workshops (City Campus)

Research environment

On-demand course: Academic and Research Integrity
On-demand: He Korowai Mātauranga

Research knowledge and skills

24 September: Managing Research Data (Zoom)
6 October: Embedding Large Language Models (LLMs) into Qualitative Research Workflows (Zoom)
8 October: Writing a data management plan (Zoom)
21 October: Responsible AI in Research (Zoom)
27 October: AI for Literature Reviews (Zoom)
Ongoing: Research Ethics Advice – Drop‑in Sessions for Postgraduate Students

Communication, influence and impact

23 September: Elevate Your Online Presentation Skills with Hugh Kearns (Zoom)
23 September: Presenting your Research (Grafton Campus)

Notices

Auckland Startup Week 2026

Auckland Startup Week (12–16 October) will bring together founders, investors, researchers, industry leaders, students and policymakers to share ideas, make connections and explore new opportunities. See the Auckland Startup Week event calendar.

Fulbright Scholarship applications close soon

Fulbright NZ Scholar Awards provide an opportunity for New Zealand academics to lecture and/or conduct research at US institutions. Awards valued at up to US$37,500 are granted each year, towards three to five months of lecturing and/or research. Applications close on Tuesday 1 October. Find out more and book a one-on-one call.

Candidates in the spotlight

Kirsten Tilleman | Engineering and Design

Kirsten Tilleman is researching ways to make public transport safer and more accessible for people of all identities and needs. She entered the Research Showcase in 2025 to share her research with a wider audience and challenge herself to communicate complex ideas in a creative, visual format, taking out the top Academic Poster prize. Submissions for the Research Showcase 2026 will be accepted until 25 September. Read Kirsten's story.

Faith Culas | Engineering and Design

Faith Culas was featured in the Brainwaves series for her doctoral research on how recognising cognitive diversity could lead to better software and more inclusive technology. Faith previously shared this research at Three Minute Thesis earlier this year, winning the top prize. Read more.

Scene around

Last week's annual CSC Morning Tea brought together recipients of China Scholarship Council scholarships from across the University. The group of doctoral candidates shared their experiences of studying in New Zealand with Pro-Vice Chanceller - Global and Graduate Research, Professor JR Rowland, while connecting with other doctoral candidates and University colleagues. 

Scholarships

 Maanu Paul Scholarship 2026

The Maanu Paul Scholarship 2026 is designed to support doctoral research that advances kaupapa Māori knowledge and practice. A scholarship pool of $50,000 is available for eligible doctoral candidates with whakapapa connections to the iwi of Mataatua within Te Moana-nui-a-Toi. Research areas include kai sovereignty and security, whenua and environmental stewardship, moana and marine resources, rongoā Māori, and research that contributes positively to the health and wellbeing of Māori communities. Applications will remain open until awarded. Learn more and apply.

Optometry Scholarship 

HC Russell Memorial Postgraduate Scholarship: A scholarship of up to $12,000 for full-time or part-time PhD study in Optometry by a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. Closing date: 1 October. Apply here.

Aerospace Engineering/Space Sciences Fellowship

Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship: Women of any nationality pursuing a Ph.D./doctoral degree who demonstrate a superior academic record conducting research applied to aerospace engineering or space sciences are eligible. Closing date: 15 November. Apply here.