Professor/ Associate Professor: Public Health (Epidemiology or Environmental and Occupational Health at University of Limpopo

The Department of Public Health at University of Limpopo is seeking a highly qualified Public Health Specialists who will lead the Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health. The incumbents will provide strategic leadership, academic management, and operational direction to these programmes. The appointee will be tasked to ensure the academic integrity, and financial viability of the Masters and Postgraduate curricula and qualifications. Additionally, and amongst other key functions, he/she will be responsible for coaching, mentoring, and developing the capacity of students in the Department of Public Health and also assist in independent research. 
 
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• Possession of a doctoral degree (PhD) in Public Health or Equivalent. 
• At least 10 years’ teaching experience at a tertiary institution in either the field of Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health. 
• Relevant academic management experience coupled with a proven track record in teaching, research and community engagement; 
• High academic and professional standing in the field of expertise, and high academic credibility amongst peers; 
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods including statistical analysis 
• Evidence of recent conference papers (must include both local and international conferences), peer reviewed publications (a minimum of 10 published articles for Associate Professor and 15 published articles for Professor) 
• Evidence of postgraduate supervision 
• Strategic planning and implementation experience; 
• Has the ability to mobilize and inspire others towards shared goals; 
• Knowledge of and implementation of quality assurance; 
• Advanced computer skills (MS Office suite). 
• Teaching, Supervision and Mentoring of postgraduate students. 
• Publication of research articles in accredited journals. 
• Supervision of students work and co-publication with students. 
• Participation in community engagement projects. 

GENERIC REQUIREMENTS 

• Advanced theoretical knowledge and insights into the field of Public Health. 
• Competence in communicating knowledge and facilitating teaching and learning in a lecture, seminar, tutorial and/or in assessment practices; 
• The ability to engage in curriculum design and development; and a demonstrated ability to conduct high-quality research. 
• A thorough understanding of fundamental research methodology and competence in facilitating research tutorials/seminars and practical sessions; and/or undertaking research projects, production of research reports. 
• A substantial number of conference papers, peer-reviewed publications or other acceptable research outputs. 
• Peer-recognition as a specialist in the field of Public Health and potential to make a substantial contribution to the discipline or field. 
• Ability to supervise research at postgraduate level and to develop research capacity. 
• An involvement in the wider academic community (e.g. editorships, review requests, participation in professional bodies). 
• Capacity and willingness to undertake administrative responsibilities at departmental or institutional levels and to assume leadership positions, either in administration or in academic or professional activity. 
• Promotion of and/or active participation in community engagement projects and/or leadership in establishing such projects. 
• Sound interpersonal skills, including a commitment to collegiality and equal opportunity. 
• Competence as an Associate Professor, demonstrating that the applicant has been recognised by the academic community for producing sound scholarship in either the teaching or research categories, but preferably in both. 
• Ability to teach effectively at different academic levels, commensurate with the nature of the post to which the applicant was previously appointed. 
• An interest in and engagement with the theory of teaching and learning, the promotion of/active participation in teaching development programmes and the capacity to play a role in curriculum design and development; management of academic programmes; recognition for advanced teaching practice and/or evidence of mentoring. 
• Ongoing research activity and dissemination of research findings, including a reasonable record of publications in accredited and/or internationally-recognised research journals, commensurate with the applicant’s discipline and the nature of the post to which the applicant was previously appointed. 
• A substantial record of high quality scholarship and research relative to others in the same field, evidenced by a record of high quality publications in appropriate academic journals. 
• Capacity to initiate, manage and supervise research, including research at doctoral and postdoctoral level, to attract research students and/or research projects and funding, and to develop research capacity. 
• Professional and academic standing in the field of Public Health. 
• The ability and willingness to encourage the intellectual and career aspirations of staff and students. 
• Where appropriate, advanced research skills or capacity in the relevant discipline or field and participation in development programmes. Must have demonstrated strong research and academic leadership (e.g., by serving on university committees, professional and academic associations, acting as head of division or discipline), with competencies to serve as head of research division. 
• Service to the University either at departmental or institutional level. 
• Ability to take on administrative responsibilities at departmental level. 
• Academic and/or professional participation at national and/or international level. 
• Community engagement activity. 
• A track record of service to the academic and wider community, either by contributing to teaching and learning or as a research leader in a particular discipline or field, nationally and internationally. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS 
Skills

• Teaching skills at University level, especially teaching large classes. 
• An ability to design curricula in Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health. 
• Capability to stimulate and teach research and participation in departmental academic discussions. 
• Ability to inspire a passion for pursuit of philosophy in students. 
• Organising and Planning Skills. 
• Computer literacy. 
• Sound administration skills. 

Knowledge & Experience 

• Knowledge of Higher Education environment, HEQC, SAQA standards, programme accreditation and articulation requirements and processes. 

Behaviours

• Professionalism
• Planning and organisation 
• Attention to detail 
• Personal learning and development 
• Effective communication 
• Collaboration / teamwork 
• Results orientation 
• Accountability
• Customer or Service Focus 
• Inclusivity / diversity 
• Integrity
• Reliability / dependability