Head of the Wits Origins Centre at University of the Witwatersrand

Job Description: 

The main responsibilities include: 

• Academic leadership of the Wits Origins Centre
• Lead the overall academic project in collaboration with the relevant schools, institutes and centers within the Faculty of Science and across the University. 
• Some teaching and supervision of postgraduate students will be required. 
• Foster and grow at least two to three new Origins research foci.
• Promote utilisation of the Wits Origins Center for undergraduate and postgraduate training opportunities.
• Develop cross-disciplinary synergistic collaborations both internal and external to Wits, including with international partners.
• Apply innovative cross-disciplinary approaches for the development of new research foci, academic courses, and museum exhibitions.
• Provide ongoing support for the progress of the new master’s in science communication course which was launched in 2025. 
• Oversee and develop new research and postgraduate student fundraising initiatives.
• Operational management of the Wits Origins Centre
• Oversee the management and operations in line with university policies.
• Provide leadership and management guidance to staff. 
• Take responsibility for sound financial management, including the administration of finances for all research, innovation, postgraduate training, undergraduate teaching and public engagement and community outreach activities.
• Take accountability for the successful functioning of commercial activities such as the museum shop.
• Develop entrepreneurial programmes that contribute to the sustainability of the enterprise. This includes, amongst others, the growth in use of the museum as a venue for corporate and social events. 
• Ensure the necessary marketing of the facility and development of stakeholder communication and engagement strategies that promote growth and build key partnerships. This includes a focus on growing a meaningful relationship between Origins Centre and the City of Johannesburg. 

Curation

• Overall leadership of Origins collections management, working with the curator on research and documentation, as well as exhibition planning and design.
• Ensure Origins compliance with legal and ethical standards in handling of artefacts and collections.  
• Build collaborations with local, national and international museums, galleries and cultural institutions to share resources and collaborate on exhibitions.
• Promote Origins engagement with the public including through enhanced virtual exhibitions and interactive displays, talks, tourism and community outreach.
• Education and science communication 
• Oversee the management and development of science communication content on site, including tour guide training, temporary and permanent exhibit development and upgrades. 
• Expand learner engagement by facilitating new and exciting education outreach programmes, working with partners across the education, museum, heritage and tourism sectors.  
• Oversee and develop new science communication and education fundraising initiatives.
• Enhance access to and promote academic tourism at Origins.

Qualifications, Experience and Remuneration:

• A PhD or equivalent qualification at the competency of Senior Lecturer level, with a background in archaeology, or a related field, and some museum experience.
• The successful candidate will be a people-centered leader, with demonstrable experience in staff management, an ability to nurture strategic relationships and partnerships and raise funds.
• They will have: a track record of producing high-impact multi-disciplinary research; experience of working within and leading research teams; have undertaken teaching administration and development of learning materials and curricula; post-graduate supervision experience; and demonstrated contributions made by the candidate to the broad university environment.
• They will be required to produce original scientific research in their discipline and have some experience in science communication.
• The salary will be competitive, and commensurate with the knowledge and experience required to head the Wits Origins Centre.

Closing date: 12th December 2025