Associate Professor / Professor and Head of the Department (One Post), Department of Mercantile[...]

University of Pretoria / Universiteit van Pretoria; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pretoria is seeking to appoint an Associate Professor / Professor to lead the Department of Mercantile Law. The role involves significant academic leadership, managing high-level research and teaching activities, coupled with a historical dedication to excellence in legal education. Candidates should possess substantial teaching experience, a strong publication record, and a commitment to academic citizenship.

Benefits

Access to research grants

Networking opportunities with leading academics

Qualifications

• 8-10 years teaching experience as Associate Professor/Professor.
• Strong research profile with numerous publications.
• Active in national and international academic networks.

Responsibilities

• Manage, lead, and develop the Department.
• Oversee academic and research programmes.
• Recruit and manage department personnel.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Academic Citizenship

Networking

Education

PhD in Mercantile Law

Job description

Job title : Associate Professor / Professor and Head of the Department (One Post), Department of Mercantile Law, Faculty of Law

Job Location : Gauteng, Pretoria Deadline : July 11, 2025 Quick Recommended Links

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• The University seeks to appoint an Associate Professor / Professor and Head of Department. The appointment will be additional to the successful candidate’s academic appointment. The primary role of the Head of Department is to provide strong academic leadership. The Head of Department is required to lead, manage, and develop the Department (including centres and units located within the Department) and its staff to ensure it achieves the highest possible standards of excellence in all its activities, in line with both the Faculty’s and University’s strategic objective of being a research-intensive University.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :

The successful candidate will be responsible for but not limited to the following :

• Handling the strategic, academic and operational management of the Department;
• Promoting, planning, organising and managing academic and research programmes and the Department’s research profile;
• Recruiting and managing personnel;
• Managing all financial activities including externally funded projects;
• Playing an active role as academic leader of the discipline at a national and international level;
• Marketing and growing the Department on all levels;
• Aligning the Department with the strategic plans, goals and policies of the University and the Faculty.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS :

Associate Professor :

• The candidate must possess the requisite qualifications and experience to be eligible for appointment as Associate Professor or Professor in the Department of Mercantile Law at the University of Pretoria, the assessment of which is based on several factors, including teaching, research and postgraduate supervision, community engagement, academic administration and academic citizenship;
• Preferably 8 years teaching experience;
• Recognised academic status in the relevant discipline of which a suitable NRF rating will serve as a strong indication thereof;
• At least 16 quality publications in accredited journals, demonstrating regular research output, of which 6 should have been accredited publications published in the 3 years preceding the year of application;
• Conference papers delivered internationally;
• Active memberships of academic relevant national and international subject-related bodies;
• Evidence of successful master’s supervision : 4 research master’s, or 6 coursework master’s mini-dissertations will be strong recommendations, and where possible, evidence of completed successful doctoral supervision or co- supervision;
• Extensive record of Academic Citizenship.

Professor :

• A relevant doctorate with specialisation in doctoral degree in Mercantile Law;
• The candidate must possess the requisite qualifications and experience to be eligible for appointment as Associate Professor or Professor in the Department of Mercantile Law at the University of Pretoria, the assessment of which is based on several factors, including teaching, research and postgraduate supervision, community engagement, academic administration and academic citizenship;
• Preferably 10 years teaching experience;
• Extensive experience in Curriculum Development;
• At least 30 publications in accredited journals, demonstrating regular research output, including 8 accredited publications published in the last 3 years preceding the year of application;
• Recognised academic status in the relevant discipline for which a suitable NRF rating will serve as a strong indication;
• Conference papers delivered internationally;
• Active memberships of academic relevant national and international subject-related bodies;
• Evidence of successful master’s supervision : (at least 6 research or 10 coursework master’s mini-dissertations successfully completed), or at least two completed successful doctoral supervisions);
• Extensive record of Academic Citizenship.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES) :

Associate Professor :

• Experience in high-level liaison with internal and external stakeholders and professional boards;
• An established national profile and networks;
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Professor :

• Experience in high-level liaison with internal and external stakeholders and professional boards;
• Experience in supervising postgraduate students (master’s or doctoral students);
• Established national and international profile and networks;
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES :

Associate Professor :

• Proven managerial experience at a tertiary institution;
• Experience in curriculum development;
• NRF rating;
• Evidence of Community Engagement.

Professor :

• Proven managerial experience at a tertiary institution;