Senior Lecturer/ Researcher at University of Western Cape

Job Description

The Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice, housed within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, develops and advances transdisciplinary research in a number of thematic focus areas such as gender, sexuality, politics, education and ecology. The Centre provides a critical thinking and research space for postgraduate students, visiting scholars and postdoctoral research fellows and also hosts regular seminars, public lectures and supervision cohort workshops. The African Journal of Gender and Religion is housed in the Centre.

The Centre seeks to appoint a Senior Lecturer/Researcher who will contribute to research, teaching and supervision in one or more of the Centre’s thematic focus areas.

The successful candidate for Senior Lecturer/Senior Researcher will be expected to:

• Lead and participate in high-impact research projects that advance knowledge in the fields of religion and social justice, with a special focus on the intersections of religion with education and race (black liberation theology)
• Contribute to trans-disciplinary research collaborations within and beyond the Centre, that are specifically related to education and black liberation theology
• Produce high-quality scholarly publications, including articles, books, and other forms of academic output, to disseminate research findings to academic and broader audiences
• Successfully fundraise for research and community engagement programmes
• Recruit, mentor and supervise postgraduate students as well as organise and participate in the Centre's cohort model of supervision
• Develop, organise and manage public seminars, lectures and workshops
• Engage with local and global communities, organizations, and stakeholders to promote advocacy and action on issues related to religion and social justice.

• Support the management of the in-house journal, the African Journal of Gender and Religion
• Serve on a range of Faculty and university committees
• Contribute to University-wide initiatives in support of the University's Institutional Operating Plan
• Integration of community engagement and outreach

Minimum Requirements

• A Doctoral degree in Religious Studies, Sociology of Religion, Education, or a closely related field.
• Evidence of successful Honours or Master’s supervision (at least 2 successfully completed)
• At least 4 publications in accredited journals or equivalent recognised outputs
• Conference papers delivered
• Experience in teaching courses in religion, education and race

Advantage/Preference would be:

• Experience in organising and/or facilitating academic events.

Key competencies include:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Adaptability and the ability to operate in a diverse environment and ability to work and lead in decolonial and transformational ways
• Student-focused approach
• Planning and organising skills