Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer (Faculty of Science: Department of Physics) at University of Johannesburg

Job Description:

• The successful candidate will provide academic leadership in Nuclear Physics or Applied Nuclear Physics through excellence in teaching, postgraduate supervision, high-impact research, innovation, industry partnerships, and community engagement. The incumbent will be expected to maintain a sustained record of research productivity and contribute to the advancement of nuclear science nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities:

Teaching & Learning:

• Teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Nuclear Physics and related disciplines.
• Develop, review, and enhance curricula aligned with international standards and industry requirements.
• Employ innovative teaching, learning, assessment, and digital learning methodologies.
• Develop and maintain laboratory and computational teaching activities.
• Mentor junior academic staff and contribute to teaching excellence initiatives.
• Participate in programme accreditation, quality assurance, and curriculum renewal activities.
• Act as an external examiner and peer reviewer where appropriate.

Research:

• Establish and lead an internationally recognised research programme in Nuclear Physics or Applied Nuclear Physics.
• Conduct independent and collaborative research leading to publication in accredited high-impact international journals.
• Develop and lead experimental programmes at national and international nuclear research facilities.
• Undertake advanced computational and theoretical nuclear physics research.
• Attract external research funding from organisations such as the NRF, IAEA, DSTI, industry, and international funding agencies.
• Establish and maintain productive national and international research collaborations.
• Lead multidisciplinary research initiatives and contribute to innovation and technology transfer activities.
• Contribute to departmental and faculty research strategies and priorities.

Administration:

• Participate in departmental, faculty, and institutional governance structures.
• Coordinate academic programmes and research activities.
• Contribute to strategic planning and policy implementation.
• Manage research infrastructure, laboratories, equipment, and allocated resources.
• Participate in staff mentoring, recruitment, and development initiatives.

Community Engagement:

• Develop partnerships with industry, government, professional bodies, and community organisations.
• Promote public understanding of nuclear science through outreach activities.
• Contribute to scientific conferences, workshops, and professional development programmes.
• Represent the university on relevant scientific and professional forums.

Minimum requirements

• PhD (NQF 10) in Nuclear Physics, Applied Nuclear Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Appropriate academic standing for appointment at Associate Professor level.
• Proven sustained publication record in accredited, peer-reviewed international journals.
• Demonstrated success in supervising Master's and PhD students to completion.
• Proven ability to attract external research funding and grants.
• Evidence of national and international research collaboration.
• Demonstrated experience in proposing and conducting research at national and international nuclear facilities.
• Experience in analysing experimental nuclear physics data using software such as ROOT, RadWare, or equivalent platforms.
• Demonstrated expertise in experimental and/or computational nuclear physics research.
• Proven university-level teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Evidence of academic leadership and participation in academic administration.

 Recommendations:

• NRF-rated researcher or evidence of eligibility for NRF rating.
• Postdoctoral research experience.
• Experience managing large collaborative research projects.
• Experience with IAEA or international nuclear research programmes.
• Success in securing significant external funding.
• Experience leading research groups, centres, or strategic research initiatives.

Competencies and Behavioural Attributes:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong research leadership and mentoring capability.
• Strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Strong organisational and project management abilities.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build productive partnerships and collaborations.
• Innovative, proactive, and creative approach.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
• Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent presentation and scientific writing skills.

Working conditions and Expectations:

• May be required to travel between campuses.
• May be required to travel nationally and internationally for research and presentations.

Deadline:13th September,2026