Lecturer (Contract Appointment: 3 years): Engineering Division (Job ID: 6533) - (2214) at University of the Free State

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide and facilitate teaching, learning, and assessment of undergraduate and post-graduate students in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Engineering Sciences according to the related Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), UFS and SAQA outcomes.
• Develop and update learning material and course content, to ensure continuity in relevance and maintenance of quality.
• Provide opportunities for individual student interaction and consultation.
• Seek ways of improving performance by reflecting on teaching design and delivery and obtaining and analysing feedback.
• Assume leadership responsibilities as they relate to teaching and learning, and contribute to programmes of the Department and Faculty.
• Contribute towards creating a strong academic identity.
• Conduct research and research supervision as commensurate with the requirements of the Department and Faculty.
• Develop and undertake his/her independent research programme and publish research, as evidenced by publications, presentations, role player collaboration, and eventually obtain a doctoral degree.
• Participate in national and/or international fora to share research results. Publish on average 1 SAPSE/ISI journal article per 1-year cycle.
• Identify and access funding sources to support one's own and, where feasible, student research.
• Update knowledge and understanding in the related field of specialisation.
• Assume leadership responsibilities as they relate to research.
• Utilise academic, scholarly and professional expertise for intentional public purpose or benefit that demonstrates engagement with external constituencies.
• Assist in the generation of new knowledge integration, and the application and dissemination of knowledge.
• Be of service to other universities, e.g., external examining, assisting with curriculum reviews, organising conferences, and collaborations on inter-university projects.
• Be of service to professional bodies, e.g., national bodies, journals.
• Be of service to other stakeholders such as government or NGOs, e.g., serving on society, advisory bodies, other Higher Education Institutions, and contribute to policy formulation and review.
• Maintain own professional registration with related Professional Bodies and Associations, if applicable.
• Assume administrative and/or leadership duties in the department, such as course co-ordinator; co-ordination of programmes e.g. PhD, Master's. programmes; co-ordination of particular research projects; tutor selection and co-ordination.
• Become acquainted with all relevant University and Faculty policies  to implement appropriately.
• Serve on Departmental, Faculty and University-wide bodies as applicable.
• Execute administrative duties as designated by the Head of Department.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• MEng/MScEng (Agricultural Engineering or Mechanical Engineering) on NQF Level 9 with a minimum of eight (8) years relevant experience in engineering practice / academic institutions, OR BEng (Agricultural Engineering or Mechanical Engineering) on NQF Level 8 with a minimum of ten (10) years’ relevant experience in engineering practice / academic institutions. 
• Registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), as Candidate Engineer or Pr.Eng. (attach proof). 
• Registration with a discipline-specific Association/s (i.e., South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE) or South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering (SAIME)(attach proof).

Recommendations:

• A valid driver’s license (attach a copy).

Competencies
Required competencies:
Results Orientated:

• The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

Leading:

• The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

Building Coalitions:

• The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Assumption of duties:
01 January 2027 

Closing date:
02 August 2026