Senior Lecturer -School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences at University of the Witwatersrand

Job Summary:

• The School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences is looking for an exceptional candidate in animal biology with expertise in any area of zoology. We seek a researcher who will complement and collaborate with our existing diverse team, which includes specialists in physiology, anatomy, evolutionary biology, animal behaviour, and behavioural ecology working across a range of taxa including mammals, insects, birds, and reptiles.

Brief Description        
Minimum qualification/requirement:

• PhD in Zoology or a closely related field
• At least two years postdoctoral experience or equivalent, and a good publication record in international and regional peer-reviewed journals
• An established independent research trajectory
• Excellent oral and written skills in English
• Quantitative skills and the ability to work with statistical languages like R
• Valid driver's licence (at least code B)

Additional advantage:

• Experience in teaching undergraduate courses, including large classes
• Experience of postgraduate student supervision, appropriate for the level of the post
• Track record of attracting independent research grant funding
• Research experience with African fauna and/or in African contexts

Personal attributes:

The ideal candidate should have the following:

• Collegiality and the ability to work with other members of staff
• Ability to work in a collaborative research environment
• Enthusiasm and passion for teaching, student supervision and research
• Commitment to contributing to the transformation of South African higher education

Field of research:

• Zoologist with expertise in any area of animal biology focusing on free-living animals. The candidate should possess strong practical and experimental skills, be familiar with laboratory-based or field-based experimental approaches, and demonstrate the ability to develop an innovative, independent research programme. We seek researchers whose work will complement and integrate with our existing strengths which span across herpetology, ornithology, animal behaviour and behavioural ecology, animal ecophysiology, insect ecology, behavioural endocrinology, functional morphology, aquatic ecology, mammal ecology and population dynamics, and evolutionary biology. Areas of particular interest include integrative organismal biology that links form and function to performance, ecological mechanisms in natural populations and evolutionary processes.
• We particularly encourage applications from researchers working with African fauna and addressing questions relevant to conservation and global change biology in African contexts.

Key Performance Areas:

The candidate is required to:

• Teach at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as engage in curriculum development and course coordination
• Organise practical sessions and fieldtrips where applicable
• Develop an independent research programme
• Provide appropriate training and supervision of postgraduate students
• Contribute to the running of the School
• Attract independent research funding

Deadline:11th September,2026