Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor/Professor in Operations Management (Job ID 6451) at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities

Senior Lecturer

• Provide supervision to postgraduate students (PGDip in Business Administration, MBA, and PhD students).
• Lecture operations management (with demonstrated expertise in strategic supply chain management and the integration of AI in business operations, as strong recommendations) at  undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Conduct quality research in operations management and/or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations, and business optimisation.
• Create and present short-learning programmes (SLPs) in operations management and/or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations, and business optimisation.
• Perform academic administration pertaining to undergraduate and postgraduate subjects – this may include typing, setting and marking of all question papers and memorandums, recording of marks, and handling of student complaints.
• Serve as a member of various academic committees, cluster leader, and perform any other tasks allocated by the Director.  

Associate Professor

• Provide supervision to postgraduate students (PGDip in Business Administration, MBA, and PhD students).
• Lecture operations management (with demonstrated expertise in strategic supply chain management and the integration of AI in business operations as strong recommendations) at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Lead the development and delivery of high-quality teaching and learning material, resources, and activities for undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including executive education programs and other related modules with articulation pathways, micro-credentials, and alignment to business and societal needs.
• Conduct high-quality research in operations management and/or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations, and business optimisation.
• Create and present short-learning programmes (SLPs) in operations management and/or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations, and business optimisation.
• Participate in the development and programme enhancement for formal and executive education programmes and perform the role of cluster leader.
• Participate in Business School consulting services to outside parties.
• Perform academic administration pertaining to undergraduate and postgraduate subjects – this may include typing, setting and marking of all question papers and memorandums, recording of marks, and handling of student complaints.
• Serve as a member of various academic committees, cluster leader, and perform any other tasks allocated by the Director.
• Be involved in community activities such as mentorship and the provision of training and short courses in the areas of specialisation
• Participate in multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research projects and initiatives.
• Engage with industry leaders and foster strong connections between the Business School and the business community, including providing consultancy work on behalf of the Business School.
• Contribute to the Business School's strategic vision and leadership.

Professor

• Provide supervision to postgraduate students (PGDip in Business Administration, MBA, and PhD students).
• Lecture operations management (with demonstrated expertise in strategic supply chain management and the integration of AI in business operations as strong recommendations) at under- and postgraduate levels.
• Lead the development and delivery of high-quality teaching and learning material, resources, and activities for undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including executive education programs and other related modules with articulation pathways, micro-credentials, and alignment to business and societal needs.
• Conduct high-quality research in operations management and/or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations, and business optimisation.
• Lead and participate in interdisciplinary research projects and initiatives that embed the multi-disciplinary perspectives in solving problems.
• Create and present short-learning programmes (SLPs) in operations management and/or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations and business optimisation.
• Participate in the development and programme enhancement for formal and executive education programmes and perform the role of cluster leader.
• Participate in Business School consulting services to outside parties.
• Perform academic administration pertaining to undergraduate and postgraduate subjects – this may include typing, setting and marking of all question papers and memorandums, recording of marks, and handling of student complaints.
• Serve as a member of various academic committees, cluster leader, and perform any other tasks allocated by the Director.
• Be involved in community activities such as mentorship and the provision of training and short courses in the areas of specialisation.
• Lead high-impact and multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research that engages substantively with social, financial, and/or environmental sustainability, strategy, and organisations at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• Engage with industry leaders and foster strong connections between the Business School and the business community, including providing consultancy work on behalf of the Business School.
• Contribute to the Business School's strategic vision and leadership.
• Contribute towards creating a strong academic identity.
• Supervise to the completion of Master’s/MBA and PhD students.
• Identify opportunities and apply for external research funding, whether as an individual or in collaboration with colleagues
• Contribute to the positioning of the Business School in the national and international milieu with particular reference to the strategic imperatives of the Faculty and University.
• Champion the academic endeavour and ensure that this remains the focus of the institution and that decisions are made that support (and do not undermine) these endeavours.
• Participate in the key debates related to the current and future functioning of the institution.

Inherent Job Requirements

Senior Lecturer

• PhD on NQF Level 10 in Business Management/Business Administration or related discipline with a strong focus in operations management and/or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations, and business optimisation.
• Proven record of teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level. 
• Proven experience in the presentation of papers/posters at national scholarly conferences.
• Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research in a specific area of scholarship.
• An NRF rating or demonstrated potential for obtaining an NRF rating.
• Proven experience in supervision of graduated master’s degree students.
• A proven research record of relevant publication/s in peer reviewed national and international accredited scientific journals. 
• Proven experience of service as an active member of a national or international scholarly society or committee or agency concerned with research at higher-education levels.
• Proven expertise and practical experience in operations management or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations and business optimisation.

Associate Professor

• PhD on NQF Level 10 in Business Management/Business Administration or a related discipline with a strong focus in operations management and/or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations, and business optimisation. 
• Proven record of teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level. 
• Experience as external examiner for postgraduate students.
• Demonstrated ability for third-stream income generation.
• Proven experience in the presentation of research papers at national conferences, where there is evidence of peer review of papers.
• Acted as an editorial board member of high-quality national scholarly journals.
• Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of scholarship.
• An NRF rating of C3 or equivalent status or eligibility to apply within the next cycle. 
• Proven experience in the supervision of graduated master’s degree students.
• A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international accredited journals
• Served as a member of a national scholarly society OR a national committee or agency concerned with research at higher education levels OR showed evidence of service as an active member of an international equivalent.
• Proven expertise and practical experience in operations management or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations and business optimisation.

Professor

• PhD on NQF Level 10 in Business Management/Business Administration or a related discipline with a strong focus in operations management and/or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations, and business optimisation.
• Experience as external examiner for master’s-degree and doctoral students.
• Acted as editorial board member of high-quality international/ISI/IBSS journals.
• A significant research portfolio demonstrated by a sustained research record in the last 8 years. 
• A research record of relevant publications in high-quality national and international accredited journals. 
• Proven international recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a particular area of academic scholarship (for example, regularly serves as a reviewer for international/ISI/IBSS journals).
• An NRF rating of C3 or equivalent status or eligibility to apply within the next cycle. 
• Demonstrated successful supervision of graduated master’s-degree and preferably graduated doctoral students.
• Demonstrated ability for third-stream income generation. 
• Proven experience in delivering keynote addresses at national scholarly conferences.
• Demonstrate potential in wider public engagement and dissemination of research. 
• Served as a member of an international scholarly society OR an international committee or agency concerned with research at higher-education levels.
• Proven expertise and practical experience in operations management or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations and business optimisation.

Recommendations

• For Senior Lecturer, a minimum of three (3) years, and for Associate Professor/Professor, a minimum of five (5) years of proven expertise and practical experience in operations management or related disciplines such as supply chain management, the use of AI in operations and business optimisation. 
• A track record in international cooperation.
• Ability to communicate research results to clientele groups.
• A track record of engaging with the industry and must have been involved in securing funding.
• Proven skills in data analysis using IBM SPSS, AMOS, PLS.
• Member of a or registration at a professional body (attach proof).  
• Experience as a departmental leader/ manager in a higher education environment.