Lecturer / Senior Lecturer P000768 at North West University

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

• The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences’ Chemistry Subject Group has a vacant academic position (at lecturer(L) or senior lecturer (SL) level) with teaching duties in the sub-group Organic Chemistry and research duties (including postgraduate supervision) in the Research Focus Area for Chemical Resource Beneficiation’s Catalysis & Synthesis Research Group.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teaching and learning:

• teach undergraduate and honours organic chemistry modules.

 Research and Innovation:

• lead research and supervise students at masters and doctoral levels in synthetic organic chemistry and/or homogeneous catalysis.

Community engagement:

• interact with social and academic communities in relation to scientific expertise.

 Management and other tasks at subject and research group, focus area and faculty levels.

• participate in academic and research committees.

Minimum requirements

LECTURER

• A Master’s degree (NQF level 9) in Organic Chemistry.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience lecturing at a higher education level.
• Academic and/or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry and/or homogeneous catalysis.

SENIOR LECTURER:

• A PhD (NQF level 10) in Organic Chemistry.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience lecturing at a higher education level.
• Academic and/or industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry and/or homogeneous catalysis.
• Track record of research papers published in accredited peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• National and international collaborations.

RECOMMENDATIONS / ADDED ADVANTAGES:

• Membership with the South African Chemical Institute.
• Community service.
• Post-doctoral experience.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Advanced knowledge of, and experience in, synthetic organic chemistry and/or homogeneous catalysis research – knowledge of and interest in surfactant chemistry and associated applications will be advantageous.
• Competency in analytical techniques such as NMR, FTIR, MS, tensiometry, etc. are essential skills for this position.
• Be able to lecture introductory and advanced organic chemistry on a tertiary level.
• Be able to learn various teaching philosophies and approaches in order to apply them during teaching and learning activities.
• Knowledge of and experience in the supervision of postgraduate studies in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Ability to secure external funding.
• 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 software such as Mestre Suite, Topspin.
• 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 NRF rating within the near future.
• Ability to apply theoretical knowledge within the organic chemistry research field.
• 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 both teaching and 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.

Apply by: 10 November 2025