Professor/Associate Professor (CBE: Trilateral Research Chair in Transformative Innovation, the 4th Industrial Revolution and Sustainable Development) (3 Year Fixed -Term Contract) at University of Johannesburg

Responsibilities: 

The incumbent will be expected to:

• Research Excellence & Impact: Produce and maintain a record of high-impact research, publishing extensively in leading international journals and contributing to the global discourse on transformative innovation.
• Capacity Building: Lead the supervision of postgraduate students and provide strategic mentorship and collaboration for Postdoctoral Fellows.
• Curriculum & Professional Development: Design and deliver advanced teaching materials at the postgraduate level and contribute to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiatives for policy and industry stakeholders.
• Project Leadership: Initiate, secure funding for, and manage complex research projects, ensuring they align with the Chair’s long-term objectives.
• Strategic Support: Contribute to the overall management of the Research Chair, including supporting and deputising for the Chair holder as required, and ensuring the successful execution of supervision, research, and policy engagement plans.
• Global Knowledge Exchange: Represent the Chair at international conferences and seminars, while spearheading the organization of academic and multi-stakeholder colloquiums and workshops to enhance disciplinary knowledge.
• Partnership Development: Proactively host visiting international researchers and cultivate institutional partnerships that strengthen the Chair's global network.
• Academic Stewardship: Contribute to the essential academic and research administration necessary for the sustained excellence of the unit.
• Fundraising & Sustainability: Identify strategic funding opportunities and lead the application process for substantial grants to support both individual and collaborative research projects.

Minimum requirements
For appointment at Professor Level:

• A Doctoral qualification (preferably in Economics, International Relations, Development Studies, Political Studies/Science; applicants with a doctorate in a cognate discipline and with specialisation related to innovation will also be considered).
• Expertise in or linked to the field of innovation.
• Between eight- and ten-years’ working experience in the Higher Education and/or Research environment.
• A proven research track record in reputable journals and conference proceedings.
• Supervision experience at Masters’ and Doctoral level.
• Experience in mentoring early-career researchers and postdoctoral fellows
• Proven research excellence and sustained, significant research outputs.
• Proven knowledge and experience in both Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methodologies at postgraduate level.
• Experience in delivering teaching materials and engaging with students at the postgraduate level.
• Proven track record in raising funds for research and managing research projects.
• Proven ability to think critically, analytically and laterally across disciplines and sectors (transdisciplinary).
• Fluent in written and oral English communication.

For appointment at Associate Professor Level:

• A Doctoral qualification (preferably in Economics, International Relations, Development Studies, Political Studies/Science; applicants with a doctorate in a cognate discipline and with specialisation related to innovation will also be considered).
• Expertise in or linked to the field of innovation.
• Between five- and seven-years’ working experience in the Higher Education Research environment.
• An excellent record of relevant academic publications.
• Experience in supervising postgraduate students.
• Proven knowledge and experience in both Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methodologies at postgraduate level.
• Experience in delivering teaching materials and engaging with students at the postgraduate level.
• Proven track record in raising funds for research and managing research projects.
• Proven ability to think critically, analytically and laterally across disciplines and sectors (transdisciplinary).
• Fluent in written and oral English communication.

Recommendations:

• Experience in managing large research projects.
• An NRF rating (or equivalent), or the capability of obtaining one within 2 years.
• A good/successful research fundraising track record.
• Evidence of sourcing external research funding.

Competencies and Behavioural Attributes:

• Excellent written and verbal English communications skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to collaborate with colleagues.
• Good planning and organisational skills.
• Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office package.
• The ability to publish in high-impact journals.
• The ability to supervise graduate students.
• Research management skills.
• Overall management skills.

Deadline:7th June,2026