Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research & Innovation at University of Western Cape

• The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation reports to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor and as a member of the University Executive shares in the responsibility to drive the institution’s strategic direction in line with the Institutional Operating Plan and effective governance.
• Given the University’s aspiration to deepen its research identity and expand its innovation impact, this portfolio demands a leader with substantial academic authority, proven strategic insight, and a sustained record of scholarly and leadership excellence.

This portfolio calls for an individual with: 

• An excellent and established research track record; 
• Experience in leading dynamic research environments; 
• Strategic leadership acumen; 
• Knowledge of global trends; and 
• Skills in setting up and developing innovation enterprises.
• The ability to build strong interpersonal relationships and university-wide partnerships;
• Competency in managing financial and human resources;
• Strong people-management skills;
• The ability to operate effectively in a senior leadership environment with multiple, simultaneous demands;
• Excellent skills in writing, presenting reports and communicating decisions; and
• The ability to facilitate transformation at various institutional levels.

Minimum Requirements

• A Doctoral degree and be eligible to be appointed at a Professor level; 
• A deep insight into every aspect of tertiary education, be it teaching and learning, research and innovation and professional support services: 
• The deep insight must have been demonstrated in the ten-plus (10+) years of management experience; and
• Candidates must also have at least five years’ experience operating at a senior management level, equivalent to the second or third or fourth tier of organisational leadership, or hold an equivalent senior academic rank or award such as Senior or Distinguished Professor.
• A minimum of 25 (twenty-five) peer-reviewed and accredited discipline-recognised research outputs, including creative or practice-based work where applicable; 
• Research skills should demonstrate both knowledge impact (e.g. citations, scholarly uptake) and social impact (e.g. influence on policy, practice, or community outcomes); 
• Evidence of sustained national and/or international recognition as a leading researcher and demonstrated success in leading and securing research funding, including multi-institutional or interdisciplinary grants; 
• Experience of having supervised or co-supervised at least five (5) Doctoral (e.g. PhD) graduates and at least ten (10) Master’s graduates, with the majority as main supervisor; and 
• Evidence of regular dissemination of research in high-impact academic platforms (e.g. journals, keynote addresses, public scholarship). 
• Finally, an applicant must have an NRF rating or an equivalent indicator of scholarly standing (such as election to a learned academy, editorial leadership in a prestigious journal, or recognised international awards).

Deadline:18th January,2026