Research Professor and Director Self-Directed Learning (P000493 and PD00048) at North West University

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

• To provide academic leadership and guidance, innovation, and initiative with regards to research in the Research Unit Self-Directed Learning and lead the RU to become a Centre of Excellence.
• To conduct own research at a high academic standard and actively participate in the management of research in the Unit in line with the NWU strategy for Research and Innovation. Provide support and guidance in terms of post graduate programmes and staff development.
• As Director the successful candidate will be engaged in research and research capacity development within the research entity Self-Directed Learning, as well as supervision of post graduate students and supporting staff to develop supervision capacity, conducting practice-led research and producing research.
• The Director is responsible for achieving the goals of the research entity within the university's research strategy.

The successful candidate can specialize in any of the fields (subareas of SDL) below:

• Problem-based learning and Cooperative learning to support SDL
• Indigenous knowledge and contextualised learning to support SDL
• Assessment to support SDL
• Blended learning to support SDL
• Cognition and metacognition to enhance SDL
• Scholarship and praxis for SDL
• Play-based learning to enhance SDL

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy Development

• Assist with the research plan and strategic priorities of the Research Unit Self-Directed Learning.
• Mentoring of researchers, including creating development opportunities.
• Actively involved in capacity building initiatives in the Unit.
• Active involvement in the Research Unit of Self-Directed Learning research structure. 

Research and Innovation

• Drive and support research productivity, output and quality aligned to the strategic priorities of the Unit, the Faculty and the NWU Research Plan.
• Create an enabling research environment.
• Collaborate, guide and recommend academic development and capacity building to improve research outputs.
• Participate in post graduate programme development and guide innovation initiatives.
• Building research capacity among all researchers in the Unit
• Support researchers to apply for NRF rating.
• Active member of the SDL Scientific Committee and SDL Executive Committee
• Conducting own research at a high academic standard
• Provide scholarly guidance, innovation and initiative with regard to research in self-directed learning.

Research funding and marketing

• Obtain financial support for own research projects and support researchers in the Unit to obtain 3rd stream funding.
• Promote the image of the Unit and embark on conscious marketing efforts in respect of research expertise.
• Drive business ventures and maintain sound public and private partnerships to facilitate income driven research contracts and projects.
• Select researchers to participate in programmes and guide capacity building initiatives to maintain research quality.
• Manage the integration and participation of Masters- and Doctorate students in programmes within the entity.
• Develop, initiate, and guide research proposals for external funding.
• Embark on innovative independent initiatives to obtain research funding.
• Promote and consciously market research expertise to enable funding.
• Acquiring external funding for research

Management and Leadership

• Personal effectiveness, wholeness and development
• Values-based behaviour leadership and personal compliance

Minimum requirements

• A PhD in an appropriate field of study (Any of Problem-based learning and Cooperative learning to support SDL;  Indigenous knowledge and contextualised learning to support SDL; Assessment to support SDL;  Blended learning to support SDL; Cognition and metacognition to enhance SDL; Scholarship and praxis for SDL; Play-based learning to enhance SDL) (NQF level 10).
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience with expert-level knowledge in research.
• A minimum of four (4) years’ experience in the supervision of master’s and doctoral students.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience as associate professor or professor in the field of Higher Education.
• A minimum of four (4) years’ experience in the leadership of funded research projects.
• Author/co-author of at least 10 research articles in accredited journals since 2016, with proven experience in research methodology.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience and involvement within NRF funded research projects.

ADDED ADVANTAGE:

• NRF Rated.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Be in possession of a doctorate in an appropriate field of study (PhD in Education or related field).
• Significant experience in higher education.
• Thorough knowledge of the RSA Higher Education system. Have a proven and comprehensive teaching and research experience in higher education with focus on Self-Directed Learning (SDL), or related field.
• Be recognised in his or her scholarly research with a focus on Self-Directed Learning (SDL) (in a related field) as an expert and leader, and have NRF rating.
• Have a proven record of successful supervision of Master’s and Doctoral students.
• Knowledge of the writing of academic articles/books/chapters in related field focusing on SDL.
• Research skills, interpersonal skills/communication and computer literacy.
• Expert knowledge of analysing and interpretation of Research.
• Have a proven record of attending relevant national and international conferences.
• Proven experience in research management of groups.
• A dynamic and values driven approach with excellent interrelationship skills.
• Proven project management and management skills.
• Proven leadership qualities.
• Evidence of sourcing external funding.
• Proven experience in academic management related to writing of curricula and managing the application and approval processes for qualifications (with a focus on postgraduate qualifications) by required internal and national authorities.

  BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Staff development Teamwork.
• Project management.
• Adaptability/Decisiveness.
• Valuing Service and Diversity.

Apply by: 14 April 2026