Senior Research Associate (SRA)

MANCOSA; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

MANCOSA, a DHET registered private higher education distance education provider, invites applications for the role of Senior Research Associate in Durban. This position supports the Doctoral Research Office, helping doctoral students progress and ensuring quality and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate holds a doctoral degree and has experience in research development or management, with strong analytical, writing and governance capabilities, willing to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• A completed Doctoral degree is essential.
• Experience in higher education research development or research management preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Knowledge of doctoral thesis lifecycle and governance.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Willingness to travel and work outside hours.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support initiatives to improve doctoral progression, engagement and completion.
• Monitor doctoral student progress and coordinate interventions for at-risk students.
• Coordinate doctoral student orientation, induction, and research workshops.
• Support supervisor-student engagement and interventions for challenges.
• Assist with doctoral assessment processes and review theses for readiness.
• Prepare reports on progression, programme performance and student success.
• Ensure compliance with doctoral policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Develop governance documents and operational frameworks.
• Monitor research policies, SOPs, ethics requirements and governance frameworks.
• Coordinate quality assurance reviews and doctoral programme audits.

Skills

Excellent communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Independent work

Attention to detail

Education

Doctoral degree (PhD/DPhil)

Higher Education Management / Research Management / Quality Assurance (advantageous)

Job description

Job category: Others: Education and Training

Location: Durban

Contract: Fixed Term Contract

EE position: Yes

Introduction

MANCOSA, a DHET registered and CHE accredited private higher education distance education provider,offering undergraduate and postgraduate business qualifications, has the following vacancy available: Senior Research Associate

CORE PURPOSE:

The Senior Research Associate provides academic and operational support within the Doctoral Research Office, contributing to the effective delivery and continuous improvement of the institution’s doctoral programmes.

The role supports doctoral student progression and success, strengthens doctoral research governance, ensures regulatory and quality assurance compliance, and advances a strong doctoral research culture. The incumbent will contribute to the institution’s strategic objective of strengthening its research position.

CORE FUNCTIONS INCLUDE:

• Lead and support initiatives aimed at improving doctoral student progression, engagement and completion.
• Monitor doctoral student progress and identify and coordinate appropriate interventions for students who may be at risk.
• Coordinate doctoral student orientation, induction, research workshops and other student support initiatives.
• Support effective supervisor-student engagement and facilitate interventions where challenges may affect doctoral progression.
• Support doctoral assessment and examination processes, including reviewing theses for examination readiness and monitoring assessment turnaround times.
• Prepare and analyse reports relating to doctoral student progression, programme performance and student success.
• Support doctoral governance structures and ensure effective implementation of institutional doctoral policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Develop, review and implement doctoral governance documentation, policies, procedures and operational frameworks.
• Monitor compliance with research policies, Standard Operating Procedures, research ethics requirements and institutional governance frameworks.
• Coordinate and support quality assurance reviews, doctoral programme audits and internal reviews against institutional requirements and sector best practice.
• Support compliance with relevant DHET, CHE and institutional requirements relating to doctoral education.
• Benchmark doctoral policies, processes and practices against developments within the higher education sector and recommend areas for improvement.
• Develop monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to strengthen doctoral programme quality, governance and operational efficiency.
• Contribute to the design, planning, review and delivery of doctoral programmes.
• Plan and facilitate doctoral research workshops, supervisor development initiatives and supervisor induction programmes.
• Participate in relevant institutional committees, governance structures and doctoral programme review processes.
• Provide high-level academic and regulatory input into doctoral programme development, student success and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to institutional reporting and strategic initiatives relating to research, quality, student centricity and academic excellence.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• A completed Doctoral degree (PhD/DPhil) is essential.
• A qualification in Higher Education Management, Research Management or Quality Assurance would be advantageous.
• A minimum of 2–3 years’ relevant experience within a higher education research development and/or research management environment.
• A demonstrable record of research output.
• Experience in doctoral programme delivery and/or development.
• Knowledge and experience of doctoral research processes, including the doctoral thesis lifecycle.
• Knowledge of doctoral student support, progression and supervision models.
• Understanding of the South African higher education research and publishing environment.
• Knowledge of journal production and accreditation would be advantageous.
• Strong research and academic acumen.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High-level academic and institutional report-writing capability.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking ability.
• Strategic thinking and sound professional judgement.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, regulatory requirements and governance frameworks.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, particularly in working with doctoral candidates and supervisors.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop effective relationships with doctoral students while maintaining appropriate academic and professional standards.
• Computer-based data analysis skills.
• Initiative and the ability to work independently within a complex higher education environment.
• High attention to detail and commitment to academic quality.

Special Conditions:

The position may require regular travel to MANCOSA Learning Centres and other institutional locations. The incumbent must be willing to work outside normal working hours, including overtime and weekends, when operational or academic activities require it.