Senior Lecturer (P7) /Associate Professor (P6) /Professor (P5): Natural Science Education at Sol Plaatje University

Minimum Requirements

Professor

• PhD degree with specialisation in Physical Science education, Life Science education, or Natural Science
• At least ten (10) years relevant lecturing experience with substantial experience at Associate Professor level in Physical Science education or Life Science education or Natural Science education or Technology Education at a Higher Education institution.
• Demonstrated experience in academic leadership, including programme leadership, research leadership, leadership in community engagement.

Demonstrate extensive and sustained research productivity, including:

• A significant record of publications in high-quality DHET-accredited peer-reviewed journals.
• Publications in reputable international.
• Scholarly books, edited volumes, or book chapters published by reputable academic publishers.
• Evidence of national and international recognition, demonstrated through:
• Strong citation record (e.g., Scopus H-index, citation metrics).
• Invitations as keynote speaker, invited speaker or research collaborator.
• Participation in      international      research collaborations.
• Demonstrated success in securing external research funding as principal investigator or co-investigator.
• Demonstrated contribution to advancing knowledge in Science Education.
• Demonstrated evidence of national and international leadership in Science Education.

Evidence of:

• Serving as    an    external    examiner    at    multiple institutions.
• Editorial board membership or journal
• Demonstrated scholarship in teaching and learning.
• NRF rating is required.
• Demonstrated leadership in curriculum design, programme development and academic innovation.

Evidence of leading the integration of:

• Artificial intelligence in education, Digital learning technologies, innovative and inclusive pedagogical practices, evidence of leading teaching and learning practices within the department, faculty and institution.
• Evidence of successful postgraduate supervision at both master’s and PhD level,
• Evidence of developing research capacity, including:
• Mentoring early-career academics
• Leadership in academic associations or research networks.

Associate professor

• PhD degree with specialisation in Physical Science education, Life Science education, or Natural Science
• At least eight (8) years relevant lecturing experience in Physical Science education or Life Science education or Natural Science education or Technology Education at a Higher Education institution.
• Demonstrated experience in leading teaching, curriculum innovation and programme development at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Evidence of successful post-graduate supervision at both Master and PhD level,

Demonstrate sustained and independent research productivity, including:

• A substantial and consistent record of publications in DHET-accredited peer-reviewed journals.
• Peer-reviewed conference proceedings and presentations at national and international
• Contributions to scholarly books, edited volumes, or book chapters published by reputable academic
• Participation in both national and international research collaborations and academic networks.
• Evidence of successful acquisition or participation in externally funded research projects (e.g., NRF, DHET, UCDP, international funding bodies).
• Demonstrated leadership in curriculum development, implementation and programme review.
• Evidence of designing and implementing innovative learning materials, digital learning environments, AI-enhanced teaching and learning approaches, Inclusive, student-centered pedagogies and authentic assessment strategies.

Senior Lecturer

• PhD with specialisation in Physical Science education, Life Science education, or Natural Science
• At least five (5) years of relevant lecturing experience in Physical Science education or Life Science education or Natural Science education.
• Demonstrated experience in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including curriculum development, implementation and assessment.
• Demonstrate consistent and  ongoing research productivity, including: Publications in DHET-accredited  peer-reviewed journals.
• Peer-reviewed conference proceedings and presentations at national and/or international
• Contributions to scholarly books or book chapters published by reputable academic publishers.
• Evidence of developing research profile, including:
• Emerging citation record (e.g., Google Scholar, Scopus H-index).
• Active participation in national and international research projects and
• Demonstrate evidence of  contributions    to curriculum development and delivery, including:
• Evidence of integration of: Digital learning technologies, Artificial intelligence tools and digital simulations (where appropriate).
• Evidence of successful post graduate supervision at master’s and/or PhD level.

Recommendations 

Senior Lecturer 

• Progress toward an NRF rating.

Associate Professor 

• NRF rating or clear progress toward NRF rating.
• Evidence of scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL).

Duties and responsibilities

Teaching and Learning:

• Teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Science Education, including Natural Sciences, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences pedagogy.
• Design and deliver innovative, student-centred learning experiences aligned with inquiry-based learning, constructivism and experiential learning.
• Integrate digital technologies, including Learning Management Systems (e.g., Moodle), Artificial Intelligence tools, Digital simulations and virtual laboratories, Open Educational Resources (OERs) and blended and online learning approaches.
• Support SPU’s digital transformation strategy by integrating.
• emerging technologies into teaching.
• Supervise and assess student teaching practice (Work Integrated Learning) in schools.
• Implement innovative assessment strategies that support deep learning and student success.
• Provide academic mentoring and student support to promote retention and success.

Research:

• Conducting independent and collaborative research in Science Education.
• Publishing regularly in accredited national and international peer-reviewed journals.
• Supervising postgraduate students (Honours, Master’s and Doctoral levels, where appropriate).
• Contributing to research aligned with SPU priority areas, including: AI in education, STEM education innovation, Teacher education in rural contexts, Digital learning and simulations and Inquiry-based science teaching.
• Securing external research funding through national and international grants (e.g., NRF, DHET, UCDP).
• Participating in and activating research within national and international collaborations and academic networks.

Curriculum Development:

• Contribute to curriculum development and
• Integrate emerging educational technologies and pedagogical approaches into course materials.
• Lead the development, review and enhancement of Science Education programmes in the FoE.
• Ensure programme alignment with SAQA, HEQSF and CHE requirements, MRTEQ teacher education standards, SPU Teaching and Learning Strategy and National and international best practice.
• Support the integration of AI, digital simulations and emerging technologies into curricula.
• Contribute to programme accreditation, quality assurance, and curriculum transformation processes.
• Develop programmes that respond to the needs of rural and under-resourced schools.

Community Engagement:

• Engage with schools, teachers and education stakeholders in the Northern Cape.
• Support teacher professional development.
• Contribute to STEM outreach.
• Participate in projects aimed at strengthening science education in rural and under-resourced schools.
• Promote socially responsive     and    contextually   relevant education.

Academic Citizenship:

• Contribute to departmental, faculty and university and cross-university committee partnerships.
• Provide academic leadership in Science.
• Mentor junior academic.
• Support institutional strategic.
• Contribute to faculty and departmental planning