Associate Professor Professor (Permanent appointment) and Director (Contract appointment 5 year[...]

UFS; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A South African university seeks an Associate Professor/Professor in Geohydrology to lead academic programs, conduct research, and supervise postgraduate students. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Geohydrology and a proven track record in research leadership. This full-time commitment involves engaging with industry and enhancing the academic environment. Preferred candidates will exhibit a strong background in research, teaching, and academic administration.

Benefits

Pension scheme

Medical aid scheme

Group life insurance

Housing allowance

Study benefits

Qualifications

• PhD in Geohydrology on NQF Level 10 or related field.
• Experience in presenting research papers at national conferences.
• Experience in supervision of graduated master's degree students.

Responsibilities

• Present undergraduate and postgraduate modules.
• Conduct research in Geohydrology and publish scientific papers.
• Supervise postgraduate students at master's and PhD levels.

Skills

Machine Learning

AI

Classroom Experience

Research Experience

Higher Education Teaching

Curriculum Development

Mentoring

Leadership Experience

Program Development

Research Laboratory Experience

Education

PhD in Geohydrology or related field

Job description

Description

This post was previously advertised as Job ID 6141. All applications received in response to the previous advertisements will automatically be considered again. Previous applicants therefore do not need to reapply.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE : Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

Duties and responsibilities :

Associate Professor / Professor

Present undergraduate and post graduate modules in .

Actively do research in a relevant field of Geohydrology.

Synthesize knowledge through the publication of scientific papers in peer reviewed journals.

Communicate research findings at scientific conferences.

Source funding for research from international and national funding organisations.

Participate actively in the professional community.

Supervise postgraduate students at masters and PhD levels.

Participate actively in leadership and administration on Departmental and Faculty level.

Academic Head of Department

Leadership

Provide academic leadership and development in an academic department by creating and executing strategies to establish the department as a leader in the discipline.

Develop an overall operational plan for the department in consultation with the Dean.

Give academic leadership and direct department scholarship teaching and standards.

Take leadership of programme accreditation and ensure national and international accreditation maintenance.

Promote intellectual vigour and rigour in the disciplines of the department.

Provide research leadership in the department.

Influence the departments overall climate and culture and grow the department into a well-functioning academic unit.

Contribute to faculty leadership by representing the interests of the department at the faculty board Senate and other University structures.

Provide leadership in the marketing of the departments programme and assist in establishing collaborations with external parties.

General Management

Develop various plans and execute them continuously including Equity Plans.

Monitor that areas of improvement identified are affected.

Organize and co-ordinate staff students and activities.

Mentor develop and motivate staff.

Structure and exercise overall control in the department.

Create an atmosphere of consensus among staff.

Communicate effectively internally and externally.

Participate in faculty management structures.

Lead and attend meetings.

Lead project teams.

Drive academic planning and development.

Initiate formulate and implement a visionary academic strategy for the department that is aligned with and supportive of the guiding strategic documents of the UFS and faculty.

Manage facilities equipment and other department assets.

Develop and manage the department risk register.

Plan manage and / or make recommendations with regard to staff leave applications.

Teaching learning and students

Ensure the provision of top-quality research-informed facilitation of learning at all levels of teaching in the department.

Ensure the enhancement of student experiences and their continuous engagement in academic debates.

Ensure that adequate rules and regulations are in place and adhered to in order to optimally deliver high-quality teaching and learning programmes on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Ensure quality and timely feedback on student work is provided.

Ensure proper and quality-driven academic advice and support to all undergraduate and postgraduate students in the department.

Manage the teaching and assessment quality enhancement processes in the department.

Ensure that programme accreditation minimum criteria are maintained or exceeded.

Manage curricula development and reviews and ensure the relevance of content material and presentation in all modules to help position the department as a leader in the fraternity.

Oversee the development of new programmes or offerings in order to remain relevant.

Ensure nominations of examiners and moderators are made.

Consult with staff and students at regular intervals.

Teach and supervise research students up to NQF Level 10.

Research management

Develop and maintain a visionary research strategy for the department.

Create an environment that encourages research leading to strong and active research practices and outputs.

Ensure that every academic staff member is engaged in quality-driven discipline-specific and scholarly research.

Attract postgraduate students to broaden the research base of the department.

Ensure ethical research requirements are met.

Support and assist emerging researchers.

Guide and support senior academics towards acquiring NRF ratings.

Human resources management

Build effective teams in the department.

Plan and implement a fair and reasonable workload of staff members in the department.

Monitor the progress of staff probation and manage staff performance as well as appraisals in accordance with existing university policies and procedures.

Recruit and select staff for vacancies and / or specific strategic needs.

Create and maintain a scholarship-friendly environment in the department.

Plan drive and oversee effective and relevant staff development.

Attend to and / or delegate routine academic and administrative matters.

Manage academic and support staff in accordance with UFS HR rules and policies. Ensure a good flow of information to staff.

Financial and physical resources management :

Take ultimate responsibility for financial management including annual budgeting financial planning allocation of funds and financial control.

Adhere to the UFSs financial policies and procedures.

Encourage and support academic staff members to apply for external research and other grants.

Inherent Job Requirements :

Associate Professor

PhD in Geohydrology on NQF Level 10 or related field.

Proven experience of third-stream income generation and industry engagement.

Experience as an external examiner for postgraduate students.

Proven experience in presenting research papers at national 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.

An NRF rating of C3 or equivalent status.

A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international accredited journals

Proven experience in the supervision of graduated masters degree students.

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

Professor

PhD in Geohydrology on NQF Level 10 or related field.

Proven experience of third-stream income generation and industry engagement.

Experience as an external examiner for masters degree and doctoral students.

Acted as an editorial board member of high-quality international / lSI / IBSS journals.

Proven international recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a particular area of academic scholarship (for example regularly serves as a reviewer for international / lSI / IBSS journals).

An NRF rating of C1 or C2 or equivalent status.

Demonstrated successful supervision of graduated masters-degree and preferably graduated doctoral students.

Proven experience in delivering keynote addresses at national scholarly conferences.

Served as a member of an international scholarly society OR an international committee or agency concerned with research at higher education levels.

Recommendations :

Experience in successful programme accreditation management.

Experience in research conference organisation.

Ability to generate external research income.

Registration with relevant professional bodies or ability to demonstrate that registration can be achieved with reasonable time.

Experience in scholarly engagements such as industry or community service and editorial roles in journals.

Awareness of technological environmental and socioeconomic issues in the built environment sector and the role of the university in addressing such.

Experience in managing resources including people.

Experience in administrative duties in a tertiary institution.

Awareness of current developments and debates in tertiary education and in the built environment and the implications of these

Knowledge of emerging technologies in learning and teaching Ability to manage change in a department and monitor and evaluate its impact.

Knowledge of DHET CHE and NQF policies and regulations

Knowledge of professional programme accreditation guidelines

At least 5 years experience of management of staff and resources (taking lead roles planning monitoring and evaluation).

Record of active involvement in Professional or Scholarly bodies or entities.

Record of impactful research including publication in accredited international journals and teaching experience including student supervision at NQF level 10 at an institution of higher learning.

Requirements

Key Competencies : Results-oriented.

• The ability to be reliable responsible dependable and to fulfil obligations.
• The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.

Strategic thinking.

• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• The ability to focus on details work towards perfection and approach work in a neat and organised manner.

Business Acumen :

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

Leading.

• The ability to lead take charge of situations and offer opinions and directions to others.
• The ability to be cooperative with others display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

Building coalitions

• The ability to negotiate sell influence and to persuade others.
• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Required Documents

Please ensure that all relevant documentation is attached to your application. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

A detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter.

Copies of qualifications (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications).

Copies of all academic records (applicable where inherently required).

A copy of your identity document (ID or passport in the case of foreign nationals).

Proof of registration with a Professional Body (if applicable).

A copy of your drivers license (if applicable).

Confirmation of employment from current employer / last employer if unemployed (only applicable to external applicants).

Assumption of duties :

01 January 2026

Closing date :

19 October 2025

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 me at or email at . Additionally kindly contact / 2979 / 9848 / 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 Policy is available at : EEA13EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).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.

Required Experience :

Director

Key Skills

Machine Learning,AI,Classroom Experience,Pharmacy Residency,Research Experience,Teaching,Higher Education Teaching,Curriculum Development,Leadership Experience,Program Development,Mentoring,Research Laboratory Experience

Employment Type :

Full-Time

Experience :

years

Vacancy :

1