Associate Professor (Job ID: 6687)

CUADS UFS; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Medical aid scheme

Group life insurance

Housing allowance

Leave and sick leave

Service bonus

Study benefits

Job summary

University of the Free State in Bloemfontein invites applications for Associate Professor in the Department Zoology and Entomology. The appointee will teach Animal Physiology and related Zoology subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and participate in field excursions where applicable.

The successful candidate will develop and lead an independent research program in animal physiology or metabolomics, supervise postgraduate students, secure external funding, contribute to curriculum

Qualifications

• PhD required in Biological Science or closely related field.
• Proven supervision of postgraduate students (Masters/PhD).
• Experience as external examiner for postgraduate students.

Responsibilities

• Teach Animal Physiology and Zoology-related subjects at undergrad and postgrad levels.
• Develop and maintain an independent research program in animal physiology/metabolomics.
• Supervise/postgraduate students and contribute to curriculum development.
• Develop funding proposals and manage externally funded projects.
• Engage in outreach and stakeholder engagement related to Animal Physiology and Zoology.

Skills

Teaching

Research leadership

Supervision

Curriculum development

Grant writing

Education

PhD in Biological Science/Zoology/Metabolomics

Tools

GC-MS

LC-MS/MS

NMR spectroscopy

Isotope laboratory

Job description

Associate Professor (Job ID: 6687) - (2367)

University of the Free State -> Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences -> Department Zoology and Entomology

Contract Type

Permanent

Occupational Level

Middle Management

Location

Closing Date

25/11/2026

Description

Duties and responsibilities:

• Teach Animal Physiology and Zoology-related subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate (B.Sc. Honours) levels through lectures, tutorials, practical classes, assessments, seminars and participation in field excursions, where applicable.
• Develop and maintain an independent research program in their field of specialisation (animal physiology, metabolism, metabolomics or systems biology).
• Supervise and co-supervise research projects undertaken by B.Sc. Honours, M.Sc. and Ph.D. students.
• Manage departmental administrative tasks and academic planning (curriculum development, etc.) and contribute to relevant University committees.
• Develop and implement research strategies that apply physiological, biochemical and analytical approaches to investigate animal function, metabolism, nutrition, health, adaptation and responses to environmental change.
• Develop competitive funding proposals, secure external research funding (3rd stream income) and manage funded projects.
• Participate in scientific outreach, stakeholder engagement, student recruitment and the promotion of Animal Physiology and Zoology.

Inherent requirements:

• PhD on NQF Level 10 in Biological Science, focused on Animal Physiology, Zoology, Metabolomics, or a closely related field.
• Proven experience in the supervision of graduated Master's and PhD degree students.
• Proven experience as external examiner for postgraduate students.
• Proven research record of relevant publications (10-20) in national and international accredited journals.
• Proven experience in the presentation of research papers at national and international conferences, where there is evidence of peer review of papers.
• Acted as an editorial board member of high-quality national scholarly journals.
• Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of scholarship.
• Served as a member of a national scholarly society or a national committee or agency concerned with research at higher-education levels, or showed evidence of service as an active member of an international equivalent.
• An NRF rating of C3 (obtained/submitted) or equivalent status.

Recommendations:

• At least five years' relevant experience in Animal Physiology, Animal Metabolomics, Comparative Physiology or a related field.
• Experience of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching at a higher education institution.
• Experience with GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, NMR spectroscopy or related analytical platforms.
• Experience with stable-isotope approaches, or an interest in developing these approaches through collaboration with the UFS Isotope Laboratory.
• Experience securing research funding and managing collaborative research projects.
• The successful candidate is expected to introduce complementary analytical approaches, such as metabolomics and multi-omics, to questions in animal biology to enhance and expand the research focus of the Department.

Required competencies:

• Results Orientated:
  • The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organized manner.
  • The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
• Strategic Thinking:
  • The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
  • The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.
• Business Acumen:
  • The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
  • Proficient in using MS Office.
• Leading:
  • The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
  • The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
• Building Coalitions:
  • The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
  • The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Assumption of duties: 01 February 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter

Salary: The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits: (Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries: For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 7659 or email at [e-mail] or [e-mail] . Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2979 9813 for assistance.

General: The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at: ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.

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