Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research & Innovation

UWC Online - University of the Western Cape; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution located in Bellville seeks a Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research & Innovation. This role demands a leader with a strong academic background and experience in enhancing research profiles and strategies within higher education. Responsibilities include leading the research agenda, inspiring excellence, and establishing collaborations. Candidates should possess a Doctoral degree, substantial managerial experience, and a proven track record of research output and impact. Applications due by 18 January 2026.

Qualifications

• Ten-plus (10+) years of management experience in higher education.
• Five years’ experience in senior management or equivalent academic role.
• Minimum of 25 peer-reviewed research outputs.
• Demonstrated research impact, citations, and funding success.
• Supervised at least five Doctoral and ten Master’s graduates.

Responsibilities

• Lead University's research and innovation agenda.
• Inspire excellence in research strategy and policy.
• Collaborate with partners to enhance research profiles.
• Drive strategic direction aligned with institutional goals.

Skills

Exceptional research track record

Leadership in dynamic research environments

Strategic leadership acumen

Knowledge of global trends

Interpersonal relationship building

Financial and human resource management

People-management skills

Effective communication skills

Facilitation of institutional transformation

Education

Doctoral degree eligible for Professor level

Job description

DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR: RESEARCH & INNOVATION
(FIVE (5) YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE OPTION OF RENEWAL)

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a vibrant, diverse and dynamic institution that is cognisant of the volatile, uncertain, complex, ever-changing and challenging global environment. The University actively responds, in critical and creative ways, to the developmental needs of the local, national and international contexts. UWC appreciates the opportunities of the academic project and wishes to build on its history of providing students with an excellent academic experience.

UWC is a leading research institution that seeks to significantly strengthen its research profile and innovation footprint during this pivotal stage in its development. Accordingly, the University is seeking an established, distinguished and highly respected scholar of strong academic stature to lead its research and innovation agenda as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Research and Innovation. The successful candidate will be an academic leader of demonstrable gravitas, capable of inspiring excellence, shaping research strategy at scale, and positioning UWC as a continental and global contributor to knowledge production and innovation.

The academic enterprise constitutes the core mandate of a university, hence the quality of its teaching, research and innovation endeavours is integral to its success. UWC recognises the complexity of the academic project and wishes to build on its history of providing students with an excellent academic experience. To enhance the University's growing research standing and its ability to contribute to the country's innovation capacity, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation focuses specifically on these important areas. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation is responsible for leading the University's research and innovation portfolio, in collaboration with various partners and external stakeholders. The role also leads, amongst others, research development and postgraduate support; technology transfer, research policy and implementation, library services, the gender equity unit, e-research and the centre of excellence in food security.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation reports to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor and as a member of the University Executive shares in the responsibility to drive the institution’s strategic direction in line with the Institutional Operating Plan and effective governance.

Given the University’s aspiration to deepen its research identity and expand its innovation impact, this portfolio demands a leader with substantial academic authority, proven strategic insight, and a sustained record of scholarly and leadership excellence.

This portfolio calls for an individual with:

• An excellent and established research track record;
• Experience in leading dynamic research environments;
• Strategic leadership acumen;
• Knowledge of global trends; and
• Skills in setting up and developing innovation enterprises.
• The ability to build strong interpersonal relationships and university-wide partnerships;
• Competency in managing financial and human resources;
• Strong people-management skills;
• The ability to operate effectively in a senior leadership environment with multiple, simultaneous demands;
• Excellent skills in writing, presenting reports and communicating decisions; and
• The ability to facilitate transformation at various institutional levels.

• A Doctoral degree and be eligible to be appointed at a Professor level;
• A deep insight into every aspect of tertiary education, be it teaching and learning, research and innovation and professional support services:
• The deep insight must have been demonstrated in the ten-plus (10+) years of management experience; and
• Candidates must also have at least five years’ experience operating at a senior management level, equivalent to the second or third or fourth tier of organisational leadership, or hold an equivalent senior academic rank or award such as Senior or Distinguished Professor.
• A minimum of 25 (twenty-five) peer-reviewed and accredited discipline-recognised research outputs, including creative or practice-based work where applicable;
• Research skills should demonstrate both knowledge impact (e.g. citations, scholarly uptake) and social impact (e.g. influence on policy, practice, or community outcomes);
• Evidence of sustained national and/or international recognition as a leading researcher and demonstrated success in leading and securing research funding, including multi-institutional or interdisciplinary grants;
• Experience of having supervised or co-supervised at least five (5) Doctoral (e.g. PhD) graduates and at least ten (10) Master’s graduates, with the majority as main supervisor; and
• Evidence of regular dissemination of research in high-impact academic platforms (e.g. journals, keynote addresses, public scholarship).
• Finally, an applicant must have an NRF rating or an equivalent indicator of scholarly standing (such as election to a learned academy, editorial leadership in a prestigious journal, or recognised international awards).

For any information related to this position, please get in touch with our Executive Director of Human Resources, Meko Ernest Magida, via email at [e-mail]

Short‑listed candidates must make a presentation to the University community and later participate in an interview process to be conducted by the Senior Appointments Committee of the University Council.

Applications should be submitted online by 18 January 2026.

NB: This is a five‑year contract with the possibility of it being extended for a second term. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The successful applicant must be eligible to serve at least one full term (from date of appointment) before reaching the official retirement age of 65 years old.

DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with university stakeholders to process the application. The University shall conduct probity checks, including background criminal checks, as part of its recruitment process. In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.