Career Openings at University of Cape Town

REQUIREMENTS AT LECTURER LEVEL:

• A master’s degree in fine art.
• Advanced technical and conceptual understanding of various traditional and contemporary sculpture techniques and practices with the ability to teach in these areas.
• Experience in woodworking, metalworking, installation, ceramics, and casting processes are essential. 
• At least three years of teaching, supervision and administrative experience at university level.
• An emerging research and exhibition profile as well as other evidence attesting to an active research capacity and understanding of contemporary art and contemporary sculptural practice.

ADVANTAGEOUS AT LECTURER LEVEL:

• Experience in computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM).

REQUIREMENTS AT SENIOR LECTURER LEVEL:

• A master’s degree in fine art.
• Advanced technical and conceptual understanding of various traditional and contemporary sculpture techniques and practices with the ability to teach in these areas.
• Experience in woodworking, metalworking, installation, ceramics, and casting processes are essential.
• At least five years of teaching, successful postgraduate supervision and administrative track record at university level.
• An established national research and exhibition profile as well as other evidence attesting to an active research capacity and understanding of contemporary art and contemporary sculptural practice.

ADVANTAGEOUS AT SENIOR LECTURER LEVEL:

• A PhD.
• Experience in computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM).
• An emerging international research and exhibition profile.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teaching undergraduate courses in all years and supervising postgraduate research
• Curriculum planning
• Contributing to teaching development, teaching administration and research at the School
• Contributing to the teaching across disciplines as required
• Managing the running of workshops and workshop staff
• Contributing to socially responsive initiatives at the School

The annual cost of employment, including benefits for 2026 are as follows

• Lecturer level: R 974 126
• Senior Lecturer level:  R1 207 358​​​​​​​

Closing date:  4 June 2026        

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• The Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (EGS) at the University of Cape Town seeks to appoint an Environmental Geographer / Environmental Scientist at the level of Lecturer.
• EGS is seeking to further knowledge, understanding, and management of interactions between humans and their social, biophysical life-support systems. The department has a strength in engaged scholarship, interdisciplinarity, and an existing focus on earth systems sciences including biogeography, climatology and geomorphology.
• The successful applicant will hold a PhD in Geography, Environmental Science or related discipline and be able to show evidence of a publication record. They will be actively engaged in contemporary scholarly debates, with an interdisciplinary and engaged approach, preferably with a focus on hydrology with application towards the challenges of the Anthropocene.
• Some teaching experience at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels are essential, and experience in the use of spatial analysis techniques and tools would be advantageous.
• The successful candidate will be expected to teach at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervise postgraduate research, sustain their own research and publication focus while also taking up administrative portfolios in the department.
• There would also be opportunities to engage and work alongside research groupings associated with EGS; these include CSAG, ACC, ACDI and Future Water. 

Requirements at Lecturer Level:

• A PhD in Geography, Environmental Science or related discipline
• Teaching experience at tertiary level
• A demonstrable academic research track record as evidenced by accredited academic journal publications
• Experience in academic administrative tasks and duties

Advantageous:

• Supervision of students at postgraduate level
• Evidence of obtaining funds to support independent research
• Experience in the use of spatial analysis techniques and tools

Responsibilities:

• Teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses
• Develop their own research programme with appropriate training and supervision of postgraduate students
• Contribute to leadership, management and administration

The annual remuneration packages for 2026, including benefits, is R 974 126 at lecturer level

Closing date: 8 June 2026                 

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• The appointment will be made according to the purposes expressed in the Staffing South African Universities Framework (SSAUF) and would be a permanent staff establishment appointment at UCT from the onset, subject to institutional probationary and performance expectations. As such, the post offers an excellent opportunity for an emerging scholar to build a supported academic career at UCT whilst contributing to teaching and research in the field.
• The successful candidate will teach Engineering Mathematics, contribute to curriculum renewal, and develop a research profile in the scholarship of teaching and learning in Engineering Mathematics. The post is positioned within ASPECT’s academic development mandate, with a strong emphasis on improving throughput and promoting equitable student success.
• In line with nGAP objectives, the appointee will receive structured support for academic career development, including mentorship, professional learning opportunities, and a development plan to strengthen teaching, research, and progression in the academic pipeline. UCT is committed to transformation and employment equity.

 The nGAP Lecturer post:

• The appointment of the successful candidate at Lecturer level will be in line with the implementation of the nGAP program that focuses on recruiting new academics on a 4-year or a 6-year funded track.
• For the 4-year funded track, eligible candidates would constitute those that have already attained their doctoral degrees. Successful candidates will have a reduced workload (50%) in their first two years of employment to focus on writing and building their academic careers and be expected to take up full teaching workloads in the third and fourth years of their appointment.
• For the 6-year funded track, eligible candidates would constitute those that have completed their Masters degrees, or that have already started their doctoral degrees and those that intend to enrol for their PhDs. These candidates will be supported with a reduced workload (20%) for three years to grow their doctoral studies. In year 4 they would have a 50% workload, and in year 5 and year 6 of the funded program they will assume their full academic workload.
• To be considered for the lecturer position, candidates on both the 4-year and 6-year tracks will have to have attained a 70% grade in their Masters degree.
• In terms of nGAP conditions, applicants must be 40 years or younger.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE JOB:

APPLICANTS WITH AN AWARDED MASTER’S DEGREE (6 -YEAR FUNDED TRACK)

• A Master’s qualification in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics (GPA of 70% or equivalent).
• Demonstrated interest in becoming an academic, evidenced by teaching experience or tutoring at university level in Engineering Mathematics at first-year and/or second-year level.
• Evidence of eligibility to undertake postgraduate study towards a PhD in undergraduate mathematics education and/or engineering education within three months of appointment.
• Commitment to transformation, inclusivity, and student success.

APPLICANTS WITH A PHD/DOCTORAL DEGREE (4-YEAR FUNDED TRACK)

• A Master’s qualification in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics (GPA of 70% or equivalent).
• A completed PhD/Doctoral degree in an aligned field.
• Demonstrated interest in becoming an academic, evidenced by teaching experience or tutoring at university level in Engineering Mathematics at first-year and/or second-year level.
• Commitment to transformation, inclusivity, and student success.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Teach and assess in first-year and second-year Engineering Mathematics across mainstream and/or extended curriculum streams;
• Contribute to curriculum design, assessment development, and academic literacies as relevant to Engineering Mathematics;
• Design and evaluate curriculum-integrated interventions that support at-risk students;
• Contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning in Engineering Mathematics through research outputs;
• Participate in academic development and student support initiatives in ASPECT/ADP/CHED;
• Contribute to departmental and institutional service as required.

The annual cost of employment, including benefits for 2026, is R 974, 126

Closing date: 8 June 2026                 

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Requirements:

• A Professional Nurse with 5 years’ clinical paediatric nursing experience.
• A PhD in a relevant field (e.g. nursing, health professions, public health, sociology, social anthropology, social development).
• A strong and sustained research track record, including peer-reviewed publications consistent with appointment at Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor or Professor level.
• Significant experience (minimum 5 years) in leadership and management within a university, health system, or comparable setting, including oversight of teams, budgets, and organisational performance
• Experience in clinical nursing leadership.
• A demonstrable track record of securing and/or contributing significantly to the development and management of substantial external funding, including multi-year grants.
• Experience in developing and sustaining strategic partnerships across academic, health system, government, and non-governmental sectors.
• Knowledge and experience of current debates in African health systems, higher education, policy and workforce development. 
• The ability to lead a diverse team and create an inclusive and supportive organisational culture.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Advantages:

• A qualification in paediatric nursing
• Experience in postgraduate teaching.
• Experience in programme convenorship
• A track record of successful postgraduate supervision (Master’s and/or PhD) .
• Experience in participatory methods, applied practice improvement, implementation science
• Experience of measurement and evaluation processes.
• Experience working at national level across multiple African countries or regions.
• Experience leading the development and securing of major grants at scale (e.g. comparable to or exceeding R10 million per annum).

Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and intellectual leadership of the 2027–2029 strategic plan through Afrocentric transformative and socially engaged education, responsive research and evidence-based practice.
• Lead postgraduate education and academic development, including programme convenership, contribution to Master’s-level teaching, and innovation (including online and blended delivery), plus  supervision of postgraduate students.  
• Lead and grow a high-impact research programme, advancing Afrocentric scholarship and strengthening the Unit’s international profile through the generation and translation of evidence into contextually appropriate guidelines, models, and tools for practice, and through the academic development of staff and students.
• Develop the Unit’s position as sectoral lead contributing to global knowledge about African health systems and ensuring that the Unit’s work informs policy and system-level transformation, through leading continent-wide communities of practice, advancing health workforce research and fostering partnerships with researchers, educators, ministries, and funders.
• Ensure organisational sustainability through strategic fundraising, directing the growth and stewardship of a multi-year fundraising strategy, currently equating to budgeted R12 million per annum.
• Develop and manage a high-performing, diverse team through a strong ethos of excellence, collaboration and accountability, and with an inclusive, supportive organisational culture.

The annual cost of employment is as follows: 

• At Senior Lecturer Level:                 Between R837 520 and R1 207 358
• At Associate Professor Level:           Between R994 686 and R1 457 192
• At Professor Level:                          Between R1 162 618 and R1 805 034

Closing date: 11 June 2026

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Requirements for the position:

Senior Lecturer

• A PhD in quantitative finance, financial mathematics, financial risk management, or a closely related quantitative discipline.
• At least 3 years of teaching experience.
• Evidence of experience in supervising research.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills relevant to the study of financial markets and risk management.
• Evidence of active research, including publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• A record of presenting research findings at conferences.

Associate Professor

In addition to the above, candidates appointed at Associate Professor level would be required to have:

• An established research record with publications in leading peer-reviewed journals.
• Indication of international research standing and visibility.
• Evidence of current Master’s and PhD supervision.
• Teaching experience at postgraduate level.
• Experience in academic leadership, administration and management.

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate some or all the following

• The ability to contribute to curriculum development and delivery in postgraduate programmes.
• The ability to develop and sustain a research programme in areas aligned with the Institute’s focus.
• Experience in collaborative research, in particular with financial sector partners.
• Knowledge of emerging developments in financial markets, quantitative finance, and risk management.
• A commitment to innovative and effective teaching practices.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organisational skills.

Remuneration

• Salaries are based on the University of Cape Town’s standard Cost of Employment (COE) structure for academic staff. Academic staff in AIFMRM receive a 20% Scarcity Allowance above the standard COE.

Closing date:   26 June 2026

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Requirements for the Lecturer job:

• Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Systems or IT-related field
• Evidence of progress towards the completion of a PhD degree in Cybersecurity, Information Systems or IT-related field
• Demonstrable lecturing experience at undergraduate level in Cybersecurity, Networking and Information Systems
• Demonstrable experience in conducting practical labs and demonstrations
• Evidence of being an effective lecturer
• Evidence of expertise in cybersecurity tools (e.g. Kali Linux, Wireshark) and techniques
• Demonstrable experience with Learning Management Systems
• Evidence of postgraduate supervision (at Honours level)
• An emerging record of accredited research publications

The following will be advantageous:

• PhD degree in Cybersecurity, Information Systems or IT-related field
• Cybersecurity certification
• Practical work experience in a Cybersecurity/Information Systems/Information Technology role.
• Being conversant with frontline cybersecurity/IT technologies and demonstrating a commitment to keeping up with the rapidly advancing technologies in the cybersecurity field and introducing them in classes
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate inclusion, diversity, and educational equity in teaching
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with a range of stakeholders
• A record of contributing to supportive and collaborative work environments

Responsibilities include:

• Lecture on Cybersecurity and Information Systems courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• Supervise postgraduate students on research projects (e.g., Honours, Masters)
• Conduct academic research in Cybersecurity and Information Systems on problems relevant to the local South African and broader African contexts
• Disseminate knowledge through the publication of research in various accredited outlets (e.g., journal articles, full paper peer-reviewed conference papers, peer-reviewed books and book chapters, etc.)
• Contribute to leadership and/or administration roles at the course, departmental, faculty and/or university level, as appropriate to the job level
• Use academic skills to provide service to bodies outside of the university (e.g., professional society, government agency, NGO, community group etc.)

The 2026 annual cost of employment, including benefits is R974 126

Closing Date:  28 June 2026                                                  

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Requirements for the job:

• Either PhD in Biomedical Sciences or MBChB with some practical project management experience; or MSc in Biomedical Sciences with 3 or more years of project management experience
• Experience in scientific report writing and budgeting, with strong spreadsheet and word-processing skills
• Valid South African driver’s license

The following will be Advantageous:

• Grants’ management experience and formal project management qualification would be beneficial.
• Experience in clinical trials or biomedical research would be beneficial
• Organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Prioritization skills

The annual cost of employment for 2026, including benefits, is between R516 740 and R 812 303.

Closing date: 08 June 2026

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• The Data Engineer will be responsible for building, maintaining, and optimising the organisation’s data and AI infrastructure. In addition to contributing to digital transformation initiatives, the successful candidate will assist in developing reliable platforms that support data processing, analytics, and machine learning operations.
• The role sits at the intersection of data engineering, cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and machine learning operations (MLOps), ensuring that systems are scalable, automated, and production-ready for real-world use.

The successful candidate will work closely with software developer, business analyst and Knowledge Translation teams to:

• Build and maintain data platforms (warehouses, pipelines)
• Develop and optimise large-scale data processing systems
• Build and support AI/ML platforms for model training and deployment
• Implement CI/CD pipelines for data and AI workflows
• Automate infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimise system performance
• Ensure reliability, scalability, and security of platforms
• The position provides hands-on technical implementation and operational support for data and AI systems across the organisation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Python and SQL
• Strong command of data engineering concepts, including ETL/ELT pipelines
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud
• Practical experience working with big data technologies
• Proficiency in Linux environments and scripting
• Strong understanding of DevOps principles and automation practices
• Proven problem-solving capability with a systems-thinking approach to designing scalable and efficient solutions
• Exceptional attention to detail with a strong, reliability-focused mindset

Experience:

Essential:

• Minimum of 3 years experience in data engineering, platform engineering, or similar roles
• Proven experience building and maintaining data pipelines and platforms
• Experience working with cloud-based infrastructure

Advantageous:

• Experience with containerisation and orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Exposure tMLOps tools and machine learning workflows
• Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines
• Familiarity with real-time data processing systems
• Experience in healthcare, research, or public sector environments

Key Responsibilities:

Data Platform Engineering

• Design, build, and maintain scalable data platforms including data lakes, warehouses, and pipelines.
• Develop and optimise systems for processing large volumes of structured and unstructured data.
• Ensure efficient, reliable, and secure data flow across systems.

AI/ML Platform Development (MLOps)

• Build and maintain platforms that support machine learning model development, training, and deployment.
• Enable model versioning, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Support integration of AI models into production environments through APIs and services.

Cloud and Infrastructure Engineering

• Develop and manage cloud-based infrastructure using platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for scalable and repeatable deployments.
• Evaluate and implement appropriate tools and technologies for platform development.

Automation and DevOps

• Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines for data and AI systems.
• Automate workflows to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
• Implement monitoring, logging, and alerting systems to ensure operational visibility.

Performance, Reliability, and Support

• Ensure systems are highly available, scalable, and capable of handling large-scale data and real-time processing.
• Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks and system failures.
• Provide ongoing maintenance and optimisation of platforms to ensure stability and efficiency.

Systems Implementation and Collaboration

• Work closely with developers, data scientists, and Knowledge Translation teams to support platform needs.
• Provide technical input into system design and implementation decisions.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve platform performance, scalability, and usability.

Closing Date: 15 June 2026

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Role Overview

• To design, develop, and maintain digital solutions with a focus on scalable, secure, and user-friendly web applications. The role requires full stack software engineering expertise across the entire lifecycle of digital product development, supporting Learning Management Systems (LMS) and other innovation projects that contribute to improved learning, healthcare, and research outcomes.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in full stack software development.
• Proven experience developing, maintaining, or enhancing Learning Management Systems (LMS), EdTech platforms, or large-scale online learning applications.
• Strong proficiency in modern backend technologies such as Node.js, Python, Java, PHP, .NET, or Go.
• Advanced knowledge of SQL databases and database design principles.
• Strong experience with modern frontend frameworks including React, Vue, or Angular.
• Experience designing and consuming RESTful APIs and third-party integrations.
• Experience building scalable cloud-hosted web applications.
• Understanding of secure software development practices and application security principles.
• Experience implementing responsive, accessible, and user-centred interfaces.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver effectively in fast-paced environments.

Advantageous:

• Experience working within the education, training, higher education, or e-learning sectors.
• Experience with LMS platforms such as Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, Thinkific, TalentLMS, or custom-built learning systems.
• Knowledge of SCORM, xAPI, LTI, and other e-learning standards.
• Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Familiarity with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, Docker, and containerisation technologies.
• Experience integrating video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet.
• Understanding of learning analytics, learner engagement tracking, and reporting systems.
• Knowledge of AI-powered learning tools, recommendation engines, or personalised learning technologies.
• Exposure to UI/UX design principles and learner-centred product development.Key responsibilities:
• Design, develop, and maintain scalable and secure LMS applications and digital learning platforms.
• Participate in the complete software development lifecycle from concept and architecture through deployment and support.
• Collaborate with instructional designers, educators, product owners, and stakeholders to develop innovative digital learning solutions.
• Develop and maintain frontend and backend functionality for learner, instructor, and administrator portals.
• Design and implement APIs, integrations, and third-party educational services.
• Build and optimise database structures to support platform performance and reporting requirements.
• Ensure software quality through testing, code reviews, documentation, and engineering best practices.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and enhance existing systems to improve performance, reliability, and user experience.
• Implement secure development practices and proactively identify technical risks.
• Research and recommend emerging technologies that enhance digital learning outcomes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and mentor junior developers where appropriate.
• Stay informed of emerging trends in educational technology, software engineering, and digital learning innovation.

Closing Date: 15 June 2026