Associate Professor Mechanical Engineering

Nelson Mandela University; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Nelson Mandela University in South Africa invites applications for an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, focusing on academic leadership, teaching excellence, and research supervision at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The appointee will strengthen research capacity, lead curriculum renewal, supervise Honours, Masters and Doctoral candidates, and engage industry collaborations to enhance societal impact.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minimum of 6 years work experience.
• Registered with ECSA, as PrEng or Pr Tech Eng.
• Teaching experience in undergraduate and postgraduate Mechanical Engineering modules.
• Significant research conducted in the research focus area of solid-state welding.
• Proven track record of supervising Honours, MEng and PhD Mechanical engineering students.
• Published in DHET accredited conferences and/or journals.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic leadership in learning and teaching within Mechanical Engineering at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Lead module coordination, quality assurance, moderation, and assessment improvement.
• Contribute to curriculum development and alignment with accreditation standards (e.g., ECSA/CHE).
• Develop research capacity, lead funded projects, and pursue external grants.
• Supervise and mentor postgraduate candidates and supervise final year projects.
• Engage with industry and professional bodies to enhance engaged scholarship and societal impact.

Skills

Teaching experience

Communication skills

Teamwork

Research leadership

Supervising postgraduate students

Education

Doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

CORE PURPOSE OF JOB

The purpose of this academic post is to provide academic leadership in learning and teaching within Mechanical Engineering at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and to contribute meaningfully to research, innovation, and postgraduate supervision. The incumbent is expected to develop and strengthen research capacity within the department, engage in scholarly and professional service, and contribute to the core academic and strategic functions of Nelson Mandela University.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

1. Academic Leadership and Teaching Excellence

• Deliver high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate innovation teaching pedagogically approaches(blended learning, problem-based learning, research-led teaching) informed by current research and industry practice.
• Lead module coordination and ensure quality assurance, moderation, and continuous improvement of assessment practices.
• Perform administration including preparation for and participation in quality review and accreditation processes
• Develop into providing leadership in curriculum development, renewal, and alignment with national accreditation standards (e.g., ECSA/CHE where applicable).
• Perform any reasonable task requested as required to fulfill the operational needs of the Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Supervising final year undergraduate projects.
• Potential to offer SLP’s

2. Research Leadership and Scholarly Output

• Maintain a sustained record of high-quality, peer-reviewed publications in accredited journals.
• Demonstrate research leadership through applying for NRF rating (where applicable) and national/international recognition.
• Develop and lead funded research projects and secure external grants.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary and strategic research focus areas aligned with institutional priorities.
• Supervise and mentor emerging researchers toward publication productivity.

3. Postgraduate Supervision and Capacity Development

• Supervise Honours, Masters and Doctoral candidates to successful completion within prescribed timeframes.
• Develop structured research training frameworks to strengthen postgraduate throughput and quality.
• Examine postgraduate theses internally and externally at national and international institutions.
• Build supervisory capacity within the department through co-supervision and mentorship.
• Facilitate postgraduate research workshops/seminars and scholarly communities of practice.

4. Engagement, Industry Collaboration and Societal Impact

• Establish and sustain partnerships with industry, professional bodies, and community stakeholders to lead or participate in engaged scholarship projects.
• Contribute to professional societies and regulatory bodies relevant to the discipline.
• Promote commercialization, innovation, and applied research outputs where applicable.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• In-depth knowledge of the theory and application in the research focused area of advanced welding and manufacturing technologies specifically solid state welding and the characterization thereof.
• Candidates must have published academically in the above field and have supervised postgraduate candidates.
• Ability to facilitate learning and teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate level in the field of Mechanical Engineering
• Ability to communicate effectively and a track record of conference presentations
• Contribute to the creation of knowledge through research, innovation and engagement.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team.

REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for appointment to the post of Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering candidates must have:

1. Relevant Doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minimum of 6 years work experience;
2. Registered with ECSA, as PrEng or Pr Tech Eng;
3. Teaching experience in under and post graduate Mechanical Engineering modules
4. Significant research conducted in the research focus area of solid-state welding
5. Must have a proven track record of successfully supervised Honours, MEng and PhD Mechanical engineering students;
6. Must have a track record and published in DHET accredited conferences and/or journals

Interviewed candidates will need to give a 15-minute presentation regarding their research experience in the field of Solid state welding and characterization thereof.

Nelson Mandela University is a designated employer committed to pursuing excellence, diversity, inclusion, and redress in achieving its employment equity targets. Preference will be given to suitably qualified (Race and Gender) candidates in accordance with the University's employment equity targets. No applications will be accepted after the closing date Friday, 11 September 2026.