Academic Positions - Indigenous Food Research at Durban University of Technology

Position 1

• Associate Professor: Sustainable Protein Innovation from Indigenous Foods
• Theme 1: Sustainable Protein Innovation from Indigenous Foods
• Reference Number: 30002802
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will lead a defined research stream on biotechnology, fermentation technology and bioprocessing for sustainable protein production and fermented products, complementing the Theme Leader agenda and extending the protein platform into biotechnological and fermentation-based protein research.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Biotechnology, Fermentation Technology, Bioprocess or Biochemical Engineering, or Microbiology, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated leadership in biotechnology, fermentation and bioprocessing research.
• A significant period of sustained academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead a defined research stream within Theme 1: biotechnology, fermentation technology and bioprocessing for sustainable protein production including microbial and precision fermentation, enzyme and biocatalysis technology, complementing and advancing the Theme Leader's strategic agenda.
• Co-develop grant, contract and commissioned-research applications and contribute to securing competitive funding for the theme.
• Produce high-quality peer-reviewed outputs and supervise Doctoral and Master's students to timely completion.
• Co-supervise and mentor early-career researchers and the Senior Lecturer, and deputise for the Theme Leader when required.
• Build and strengthen research collaborations and partnerships and ensure adherence to IFRi's stage-gate governance and ethics requirements.  

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or equivalent recognised research standing (particularly for Professor and Associate Professor appointments).
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, community-engaged or place-based research, and an ability to work across scientific and indigenous knowledge systems.
• Experience of research ethics, or indigenous knowledge governance, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity or food-regulatory requirements relevant to the portfolio.
• Evidence of international, African and/or industry, government, civil-society or community research networks.

Position 2

• Professor (Theme Leader): Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition
• Theme 2: Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition
• Reference Number: 30002799
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will provide senior intellectual and strategic leadership in the development of processing technologies and market-ready products from indigenous foods, bridging laboratory science and industrial scale-up through the pilot processing facility and commercialisation pipeline.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Food Technology, Food Processing/Engineering, or Food Science, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated leadership in indigenous-food processing, product innovation and value-addition research.
• A substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, with recognised standing in the field.
• A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Evidence of a substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Provide overall academic and strategic leadership for Theme 2 — Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition, setting its research direction and leading its flagship programme, the Indigenous Foods Pilot Processing and Product Innovation Plant.
• Build, grow and sustain a high-quality, externally funded research programme, leading major grant, contract and philanthropic funding applications for the theme.
• Drive high-impact peer-reviewed publications, postgraduate completions (Master's and Doctoral) and innovation/IP outputs across the theme.
• Establish and lead national and international research collaborations and industry, community and policy partnerships, and represent IFRi in relevant professional and policy forums.
• Mentor academic staff, postdoctoral fellows and students, and ensure all theme research proceeds through IFRi's stage-gate governance, ethics and quality-assurance framework.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or equivalent recognised research standing (particularly for Professor and Associate Professor appointments).
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, community-engaged or place-based research, and an ability to work across scientific or indigenous knowledge systems.
• Experience of research ethics, indigenous knowledge governance, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity or food-regulatory requirements relevant to the portfolio.
• Evidence of international, African and/or industry, government, civil-society or community research networks.

Position 3

• Associate Professor: Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition
• Theme 2: Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition
• Reference Number: 30002803
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will lead a defined research stream on processing-technology development and product formulation for indigenous foods, complementing the Theme Leader's agenda and advancing flagship products through spin-off pipeline.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Food Technology/Food Processing/Engineering, or Food Science, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated leadership in indigenous-food processing, product innovation and value-addition research.
• A significant period of sustained academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead a defined research stream within Theme 2: processing-technology development (milling, extrusion, drying and fermentation) and the design of nutritious, convenient and shelf-stable indigenous-food products, complementing and advancing the Theme Leader's strategic agenda.
• Co-develop grant, contract and commissioned-research applications and contribute to securing competitive funding for the theme.
• Produce high-quality peer-reviewed outputs and supervise Doctoral and Master's students to timely completion.
• Co-supervise and mentor early-career researchers and the Senior Lecturer, and deputise for the Theme Leader when required.
• Build and strengthen research collaborations and partnerships and ensure adherence to IFRi's stage-gate governance and ethics requirements.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or equivalent recognised research standing (particularly for Professor and Associate Professor appointments).
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, community-engaged or place-based research, and an ability to work across scientific or indigenous knowledge systems.
• Experience of research ethics, indigenous knowledge governance, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity or food-regulatory requirements relevant to the portfolio.
• Evidence of international, African and/or industry, government, civil-society or community research networks.

Position 4

• Senior Lecturer: Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition
• Theme 2: Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition
• Reference Number: 30002804
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will build an emerging research portfolio in indigenous-food product development, sensory and consumer science, deliver defined project tasks within the pilot processing plant, and contribute to teaching in food processing and food technology.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Food Technology, Food Science or Food Processing, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A record of research and/or academic leadership in indigenous-food product development, sensory and consumer science.
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.
• Evidence of participation in the supervision of Master's students.
• Evidence of participation in grant writing.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Contribute to Theme 3 research by delivering defined project tasks and building an emerging independent research portfolio in indigenous-food product development, sensory and consumer science.
• Undertake postgraduate and undergraduate teaching and curriculum delivery within relevant DUT programmes.
• Supervise Master's students and co-supervise Doctoral students within the theme.
• Participate in grant writing and in the multidisciplinary collaborations led by the Theme Leader and Associate Professor.
• Support laboratory and/or field operations, data management, and compliance with IFRi's stage-gate governance and ethics requirements.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Progress towards an NRF rating or equivalent emerging-researcher recognition.
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, community-engaged or place-based research, and a willingness to work across scientific or indigenous knowledge systems.
• Awareness of research ethics, indigenous knowledge governance, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity or food-regulatory requirements relevant to the portfolio.
• Emerging participation in international, African and/or industry, government, civil-society or community research networks.

Position 5

• Professor (Theme Leader): Nutrition, Safety, Health and Food-as-Medicine of Indigenous Foods
• Theme 3: Nutrition, Safety, Health and Food-as-Medicine of Indigenous Foods
• Reference Number: 30002801
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will provide senior intellectual and strategic leadership in the nutritional, micronutrient and bioactive characterisation of priority indigenous foods and their mechanisms of health benefit, building a "Food is Medicine" platform that translates evidence into dietary guidance and non-communicable-disease prevention with relevant organisation and NGO's.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Nutrition, or Dietetics/ Food Science or Public-Health Nutrition, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated leadership in food nutrition, bioactives or public-health-nutrition research.
• A substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, with recognised standing in the field.
• A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Evidence of a substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Provide overall academic and strategic leadership for Theme 3 — Nutrition, Safety, Health and Food-as-Medicine of Indigenous Foods — setting its research direction and leading its flagship programme, the Indigenous Foods Nutrition and Food-as-Medicine Observatory.
• Build, grow and sustain a high-quality, externally funded research programme, leading major grant, contract and philanthropic funding applications for the theme.
• Drive high-impact peer-reviewed publications, postgraduate completions (Master's and Doctoral) and innovation/IP outputs across the theme.
• Establish and lead national and international research collaborations and industry, community and policy partnerships, and represent IFRi in relevant professional and policy forums.
• Mentor academic staff, postdoctoral fellows and students, and ensure all theme research proceeds through IFRi's stage-gate governance, ethics and quality-assurance framework.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or equivalent recognised research standing (particularly for Professor and Associate Professor appointments).
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, community-engaged or place-based research, and an ability to work across scientific or indigenous knowledge systems.
• Experience of research ethics, indigenous knowledge governance, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity or food-regulatory requirements relevant to the portfolio.
• Evidence of international, African and/or industry, government, civil-society or community research networks.

Position 6

• Senior Lecturer: Nutrition, Safety, Health and Food-as-Medicine of Indigenous Foods
• Theme 3: Nutrition, Safety, Health and Food-as-Medicine of Indigenous Foods
• Reference Number: 30002805
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will build an emerging research portfolio in food safety, nutrition and community/clinical dietary studies for non-communicable-disease prevention, deliver defined project tasks within the theme programme, and contribute to teaching in nutrition and dietetics.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Nutrition/Dietetics/Food science, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A record of research and/or academic leadership in indigenous-food nutrition and community dietary studies.
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.
• Evidence of participation in the supervision of Master's students.
• Evidence of participation in grant writing.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Contribute to Theme 2 research by delivering defined project tasks and building an emerging independent research portfolio in indigenous-food nutrition and community dietary studies.
• Undertake postgraduate and undergraduate teaching and curriculum delivery within relevant DUT programmes.
• Supervise Master's students and co-supervise Doctoral students within the theme.
• Participate in grant writing and in the multidisciplinary collaborations led by the Theme Leader and Associate Professor.
• Support laboratory and/or field operations, data management, and compliance with IFRi's stage-gate governance and ethics requirements.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Progress towards an NRF rating or equivalent emerging-researcher recognition.
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, community-engaged or place-based research, and a willingness to work across scientific and indigenous knowledge systems.
• Awareness of research ethics, indigenous knowledge governance, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity or food-regulatory requirements relevant to the portfolio.
• Emerging participation in international, African and/or industry, government, civil-society or community research networks.
• Application Information applies to all six positions:

Application requirements

• A fully completed prescribed DUT application-for-employment form, obtainable from www.dut.ac.za under Quick Links / Careers.
• A detailed curriculum vitae explicitly demonstrating how the applicant meets the rank and theme-specific requirements.
• A covering letter identifying the exact position, rank and research theme applied for.
• Copies of all relevant academic records and certificates.
• A copy of an identity document or passport, and current contact details for referees.

 Closing Date 02 October 2026