Senior Lecturer/Lecturer: Astrophysics

Stellenbosch University; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellenbosch University seeks an upward-growing expert in astrophysics who can conduct research and teaching across all physics areas. The role involves teaching undergraduate and postgraduate modules, actively researching for publication, and supervising postgraduate students.

Collaboration with MeerKAT, SKA, HERA, and CMB Stage-4 projects is encouraged. Applicants should hold a PhD in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics and demonstrate strong English communication.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Teaching and coordinating undergraduate and postgraduate modules.
• Actively conducting research and publishing in peer-reviewed journals in a field aligned to astrophysics.
• Recruiting and supervising postgraduate students in astrophysics.
• Establishing a research group in a field aligned to research focus areas (epoch of reionisation, early universe, dark matter) with preference for involvement in HERA MeerKAT or CMB surveys.
• Securing research funding.
• Participating in academically relevant departmental and Faculty activities.

Skills

English communication

Education

PhD in physics/astronomy/astrophysics

Job description

Department Description/Departement Beskrywing

Faculty of Science

Department of Physics

Senior Lecturer/ Lecturer: Astrophysics

(Stellenbosch Campus)

Ref. NW03/411/1026

The Department of Physics at Stellenbosch University (SU) is seeking an upward-growing expert in astrophysics who can conduct research and teaching in all areas of physics. The research focuses on connecting fundamental physics with astronomical observations and aims at understanding the fundamental laws of the Universe and unravelling the nature of dark matter and dark energy. In particular, cosmic microwave background radiation, epoch of reionisation, the early universe, dark matter indirect detection, neutron stars and black holes are actively investigated. The research group is also heavily involved in South Africa's MeerKAT, SKA, and HERA telescopes, and several international projects such as FAST and CMB Stage-4.

Fakulteit Natuurwetenskappe

Departement Fisika

Senior Lektoraat/Lektoraat: Astrofisika

(Stellenbosch-kampus)

Verw. NW03/411/1026

Die Departement Fisika by die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) soek 'n opwaarts groeiende kenner in astrofisika wat navorsing en onderrig in alle areas van fisika kan doen. Die navorsing fokus op die koppeling van fundamentele fisika met astronomiese waarnemings en is daarop gemik om die fundamentele wette van die heelal te verstaan en die aard van donker materie en donker energie te ontrafel. In die besonder word kosmiese mikrogolfagtergrondstraling, die epog van herionisasie, die vroeë heelal, indirekte opsporing van donker materie, neutronsterre en swart gate aktief ondersoek. Die navorsingsgroep is ook sterk betrokke by Suid-Afrika se MeerKAT-, SKA- en HERA-teleskope, en verskeie internasionale projekte soos FAST en CMB Stage-4.

Duties/Pligte

• Teaching and coordinating undergraduate and postgraduate modules.
• Actively conducting research and publishing in peer-reviewed journals in a field aligned to one of the Department's research focus areas in astrophysics.
• Recruiting and supervising postgraduate students in astrophysics.
• Establishing a research group in a field aligned to one of the research focus areas in the department epoch of reionisation, the early universe, and the dark matter indirect search, with

preference of involvement in either HERA telescope (Hydrogen Epoch Reionisation Array), MeerKAT (SKA Precursor) telescope, or international CMB surveys.

• Securing research funding.
• Participating in academically relevant departmental and Faculty activities, as required.
• Onderrig en koördinering van voorgraadse en nagraadse modules.
• Aktiewe uitvoering van navorsing en publikasie in eweknie-beoordeelde tydskrifte op 'n gebied wat aansluit by een van die Departement se navorsingsfokusgebiede in astrofisika.
• Werwing en toesig oor nagraadse studente in astrofisika.
• Vestiging van 'n navorsingsgroep op 'n gebied wat aansluit by een van die Departement se navorsingsfokusgebiede die era van herionisering (epoch of Reionisation), die vroeë heelal, en die indirekte soektog na donker materie met voorkeur vir betrokkenheid by of die HERA-teleskoop (Hydrogen Epoch Reionisation Array), die MeerKAT-teleskoop (SKA-voorloper), of internasionale CMB-opnames.

• Verkryging van navorsingsfinansiering.
• Deelname aan akademies tersaaklike departementele en fakulteitsaktiwiteite, soos vereis.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

• PhD degree in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English.

For Appointment As Lecturer

• Teaching experience in physics (as lecturer, or teaching assistant/tutor at tertiary level).
• An active research interest in astrophysics and cosmology, with interests and experience on the epoch of reionization, the early universe or the pulsar timing array.

For Appointment As Senior Lecturer

• Proven ability and commitment to teaching physics at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• Evidence of recent research in astrophysics and cosmology, with interests and experience on the epoch of reionisation, the early universe or the pulsar timing array.
• Evidence of a sustained publication output as first author in high-quality international journals.
• Proof of successful postgraduate supervision as main supervisor, at least at master's level.
• Proven ability to seek external funding.

Applicants invited for interviews will be expected to present a lecture on their recent research to demonstrate their knowledge and communication skills.

• PhD in fisika, Sterrekunde or Astrofisika.
• Goeie mondelinge en skriftelike kommunikasievaardighede in Engels.

Vir Aanstelling As Lektoraat

• Onderrigervaring in fisika (as dosent, of onderrigassistent/tutor op tersiêre vlak).
• 'n Aktiewe navorsingsbelangstelling in astrofisika en kosmologie, met belangstellings en ervaring oor die epok van reionisasie, die vroeë heelal of die pulsar-tydsberekening.

Vir Aanstelling As Senior Lektoraat

• Bewese vermoë en toewyding tot die onderrig van fisika op beide voorgraadse en nagraadse vlak.
• Bewyse van onlangse navorsing in astrofisika en kosmologie, met belangstellings en ervaring oor die epok van reionisasie, die vroeë heelal of die pulsar-tydsberekening.
• Bewyse van 'n volgehoue publikasie-uitset as eerste outeur in hoë gehalte internasionale tydskrifte.
• Bewys van suksesvolle nagraadse toesig as hooftoesighouer, minstens op meestersvlak.
• Bewese vermoë om eksterne befondsing te soek.

Aansoekers wat vir onderhoude genooi word, moet 'n lesing oor hulle onlangse navorsing aanbied om hulle kennis en kommunikasievaardighede te demonstreer.

Recommendation/Aanbeveling

• Postdoctoral or relevant research experience in academia.
• Na-doktorale of toepaslike navorsingservaring in die akademie.

Enquiries/Navrae

Enquiries about this post: Prof Yin-Zhe Ma on 021 808 3372, or at [e-mail]

Enquiries about remuneration/benefits and technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre, on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch), or at [e-mail]

Navrae oor hierdie pos: Prof. Yin-Zhe Ma by 021 808 3372, of by [e-mail]

Navrae oor vergoeding/voordele en tegniese ondersteuning met die elektroniese aansoekproses: Menslike Hulpbronne Kliëntedienssentrum, by 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch), of by [e-mail]

CurrencyZAR Commencement Date01-Jan-2027 Closing Date02-Nov-2026 Amount of Travel Work At Home