Professor and Head of Department (One Position) - Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathema[...]

University of Pretoria; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in South Africa is looking for a Professor and Head of Department for the Mathematics and Applied Mathematics department. The successful candidate will provide academic leadership, manage departmental operations, and enhance research initiatives. Applicants should have a strong academic background, proven management skills, and a commitment to diversity within the academic community.

Benefits

Contributes 50% to medical aid premiums

Opportunity for permanent academic appointment

Qualifications

• At least ten years of relevant experience.
• Experience in high-level liaison with stakeholders.
• National and international recognition in the relevant discipline.

Responsibilities

• Strategic and operational management of the department.
• Promoting the department’s research profile.
• Fundraising for departmental activities.

Skills

Managerial

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal

Diversity Management

Education

Relevant Doctorate

Job description

UP Posting - Academic

FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS

PROFESSOR AND HEAD OF DEPARTMENT (ONE POST)

The University of Pretoria is seeking a highly motivated, internationally recognised scientist to lead and deepen the full spectrum of academic activities in the department. The ideal candidate will have experience in academic administration in a university context. In addition to leadership-related activities, the candidate is expected to maintain a level of teaching practice and research activity.

The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the above vacancy.

Overview Of The Department

The Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics is a leading centre for research in and teaching of mathematics in South Africa. The diverse and competent staff complement has expertise in diverse fields including: functional analysis, algebra and logic, abstract analysis, the theoretical and numerical analysis of partial differential equations, mathematical modelling and bio-mathematics, discrete mathematics, mathematics education and financial mathematics. The Department also makes a significant contribution to teaching in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Besides teaching core mathematics modules to students in mathematics, statistics, physics and actuarial science, the department presents a large number of service modules as well as the mathematics modules in the University of Pretoria’s extended programme. The department thus endeavours to excel in its undergraduate teaching offering as well as effectively manage the complexity such a wide offering presents.

POSITION

The University seeks to appoint a Professor and Head of Department. The appointment will be additional to the successful candidate’s academic appointment. Furthermore, the University is seeking highly motivated, internationally recognised scientist to develop a research programme and facilities, complementary to existing research activities in the respective Department. The candidate will be responsible for supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students and is expected to contribute to undergraduate as well as honours courses. The ideal candidate will have experience in academic administration in a university context and be able to combine field and quantitative methods to address research and teaching. Good contacts in the industry and the international donor community will be an advantage. In addition to the normal administrative duties of a head of department, this position will actively support and drive University of Pretoria’s vision to expand its impact as a leading research-intensive university in Africa. Thus, applicants should be able to demonstrate a record of international research collaboration and teaching, and supervision at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Furthermore, the applicants should be committed to the transformation process.

Key Responsibilities

• The strategic, academic and operational management of the department
• Strategically developing and marketing the department to increase its African and international standing
• Promoting the department’s research profile
• Ensuring scholarly academic and professional education and training
• Playing an active role as academic leader of the discipline at university, national and international levels
• Fundraising for departmental activities
• Improving the department’s diversity and employment equity (EE) profile
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• A relevant doctorate with at least ten year’s relevant experience
• Experience in high-level liaison with internal and external stakeholders and professional associations
• Academic status and both national and international recognition in the relevant discipline
• A proven research and publication record and peer recognition
• A proven postgraduate supervision track record
• An appropriate vision for the department
  
  

Required Competencies (skills, Knowledge And Behavioural Attributes)

• Managerial skills and competencies
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Diversity management skills
• The ability to lead research programmes
  
  

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES

• A clear statement on how the applicant’s research and teaching interests fit in with existing activities in the department
• Managerial experience at a tertiary institution
• A strong research record in one of the department’s research specialisation fields
  
  

REMUNERATION AND APPOINTMENT

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent's level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.

The Head of Department is a term appointment for four (4) years. External candidates will also be considered for a permanent academic appointment in a suitable academic department.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za, select About UP, click on

Career Opportunities and select the position you would like to apply for.

The following documents must be attached when applying for this position:

• A cover letter, comprehensive CV detailing academic and professional qualifications, as well as a full employment history;
• Certified copies of qualifications;
• A self-evaluation of your suitability for appointment in the post;
• Vision for the Department;
• Teaching portfolio;
• Research portfolio (including record of citation index scores); and
• The names and contact details of at least three referees (one national and two international) who can attest to your academic stature and leadership qualities.
  
  

The University reserves the right to appoint and consult its own referees.

Shortlisted candidates will be requested to prepare a ten-minute oral presentation to the Faculty Recruitment and Selection Committee on their vision for the department.

All shortlisted candidates will be required to participate in relevant competency assessments as part of the selection process (if applicable)

CLOSING DATE: 8 August 2025

Applications that do not comply with the minimum requirements or are received after the closing date will not be considered.

ENQUIRIES

Prof BFN Erasmus, Tel: [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail] for position related enquiries

Mrs NL Radebe, Tel: [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail] for application process enquiries.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 October 2025, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

Under the University's Employment Equity Plan and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but it is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups.

All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply.

By applying for this vacancy, candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information, including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record, credit record, and current and historic disciplinary proceedings as part of the selection process.

The University of Pretoria reserves the right not to fill the advertised position.