Lecturer P001134 at North West University

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

• The purpose of this position is to recruit a dedicated scientist and lecturer who will primarily serve as the site operator for our comprehensively equipped atmospheric chemistry monitoring station at the NWU.
• The successful candidate will blend academic leadership with hands-on operational oversight to ensure the accurate collection, maintenance, and quality control of environmental data.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teaching and learning:

• Postgraduate chemistry modules.

Research and Innovation:

• Field operation of a comprehensively equipped scientific atmospheric measurement station (including ad hoc sampling campaigns);
• Organisation and execution of standard operating procedures, scheduled maintenance, as well as all technical (instrumentation and operational) upgrades;
• Data collation (quality control & quality assurance), transfer, partner access, archiving, post data cleaning and scientific flagging;
• Onsite training of students and scientists with technical and scientific aspects of atmospheric field measurements;
• Conduct research and supervise students at masters and doctoral levels in Atmospheric Chemistry. At least one first-author paper/year.

Community engagement:

• Social and academic communities.

Management and other tasks:

• Day-to-day administration/logistics related to field operation of a comprehensively equipped scientific atmospheric measurement station.

Minimum requirements

• A Master’s degree (NQF level 9) in Chemistry with Atmospheric Chemistry as an area of specialisation.
• A minimum of 2 years’ lecturing experience at a tertiary institution.
• Experience in all aspects related to operating a comprehensively equipped atmospheric field measurement station, which include maintenance, field calibrations, data transfer and curation, as well as training.
• Experience in handling very large datasets, which includes expertise in advanced programming l software such as MATLAB.

RECOMMENDATIONS / ADDED ADVANTAGES:

• Membership with South African Chemical Institute and other scientific bodies, especially in the field of atmospheric chemistry (e.g. National Association of Clean Air), National and/or International Atmospheric Chemistry Associations.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Advanced knowledge of atmospheric chemistry research, as well as various atmospheric sampling and analytical techniques.
• Proven advanced knowledge of atmospheric measurements with continuous in situ instrumentation, which include specialised monitoring equipment in atmospheric science.
• Proven extensive experience in operation of a scientific atmospheric monitoring station, which include measurement of gaseous and particulate species, as well as land surface-atmosphere fluxes.
• Received training on specialised atmospheric monitoring equipment e.g. aerosol chemical speciation monitor and tunable infrared laser direct absorption spectrometer.
• Proven ability to apply theoretical/technical knowledge in the atmospheric science measurements and to plan for goals strategically.
• Innovative and creative skills with regard to field measurements problem solving.
• Extensive experiencing in curating, processing and analysing very large datasets collected at an atmospheric monitoring station with advanced programming software such as MATLAB.
• Experience in liaison with project/group partners and associates, national and provincial departments in study fields of atmospheric sciences, as well as project/funding donors.
• Knowledge of aspects associated with the supervision of postgraduate studies in atmospheric chemistry.
• Excellent computer skills, which include knowledge of relevant research and teaching software such as MS.
• Office Suite (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), as well as advanced programming software such as MATLAB.
• Written language ability with respect to spelling, grammar and punctuation to write scientific manuscripts.
• Excellent communication skills within the scientific community through presentations and publications.
• Demonstration of language proficiency in order to function optimally in the various multilingual environments of the NWU.
• Illustrate potential to obtain a NRF rating within the near future.
• Ability to apply theoretical knowledge within the atmospheric chemistry research field.
• Ability to learn and apply new skills quickly.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good administrative, planning and coordinating skills.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Commitment to collegiality.
• Commitment to transformation.
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate in teams.
• An innovator who strives for ‘best practice’ in research.
• Student orientated, reliable, and a sense of responsibility
• Appreciation of the role of support staff and treating them with respect and dignity.
• Ability to function under pressure.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail.

Apply by: 28 October 2025