Career Openings at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:

• Present undergraduate and postgraduate modules in pastoral theology and praxis, which includes the pastoral theological practices: pastoral care and counselling and/or therapy in a diverse cultural and African context. 
• Actively conduct research within the broader framework of pastoral theology and praxis and its interdisciplinary potential.
• Synthesise knowledge through the publication of scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and DHET-accredited journals.
• Communicate research findings at scientific conferences.
• Source funding for research from international and national funding organisations.
• Participate actively in the professional community.
• Supervise postgraduate students at master’s and PhD levels.
• Participate actively in leadership and administration at Departmental and Faculty level.
• Participate in various scholarly engagement opportunities at research, community engagement, or in-service learning levels. 

Inherent Job Requirements:

Lecturer

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Practical Theology with specialisation in Pastoral Care and Counselling, evident from the PhD research project OR a PhD in a similar Theology/Religion degree or in Psychology/Social Work will be considered if the PhD research project specialised in Pastoral Care and Counselling (for a permanent appointment). 

or

• Master’s degree on NQF Level 9 in Practical Theology with specialisation in Pastoral Care and Counselling  (contract appointment: five years during which a PhD on NQF Level 10 in Practical Theology with specialisation in Pastoral Care and Counselling MUST be obtained to be converted to a permanent position). 
• Proven experience in the delivery of poster or oral presentations at conferences or equivalent activities.
• Evidence of manuscripts produced that have the potential to be converted or submitted for publication in DHET-accredited journals.
• A good academic record (attach a copy).

Senior Lecturer

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Practical Theology with specialisation in Pastoral Care and Counselling, evident from the PhD research project OR a PhD in a similar Theology/Religion degree or in Psychology/Social Work will be considered if the PhD research project specialised in Pastoral Care and Counselling (for a permanent appointment). 
• 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.

Associate Professor

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Practical Theology with specialisation in Pastoral Care and Counselling, evident from the PhD research project OR a PhD in a similar Theology/Religion degree or in Psychology/Social Work will be considered if the PhD research project specialised in Pastoral Care and Counselling (for a permanent appointment). 
• 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.
• Proven experience in the supervision of graduated master’s degree students.
• A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international DHET 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.

Recommendations:

• Preference will be given to registration at the Health Professional Counsel of South Africa (HPCSA) as a general counsellor, which implies the ability to supervise counselling students during internships (This suggests a completed honours degree in Psychology). 
• Preference will be given to a Counsel for Pastoral and Spiritual Counselling (CPSC) registration, no lower than Designation Level 4: Religious specialist (Affiliate with the Association of Christian Religious Practitioners (ACRP)). 
• Preference will be given to experience in empirical research (field work) skills and the ability to conduct interdisciplinary research. 
• Active participation in local practical, pastoral and/or diaconal academic societies. 
• Preference will be given to at least one (1) year of teaching experience in a higher education environment, on both an undergraduate and postgraduate level 
• The ability to teach with digital skills and competence.
• Practical experience in individual counselling and community work in a faith-based environment or with communities in need. 
• Experience with a Learning Management System (LMS) related to Higher Education Institutions (e.g., Blackboard) or related experience with institutional systems and the ability to navigate through them. 

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Structure and manage social listening data within Omeka S.
• Maintain and update the Github repository for ICDF-related projects.
•  Organise and maintain digital heritage data in Omeka SCurate and process social listening datasets within Omeka S.
• Provide support across multiple digital backbone projects.
• Develop a Streamlit interface for deep learning applications in HLT.
• Build an annotation system for HLT research using Streamlit.
• Conduct UX design experiments within the DSC framework.
• Deploy a deep learning model for public access and collaborative improvements on GitHub.
• Meet to discuss the integration of Forgotten Highway data into Omeka S for digital heritage management.
• Verify the accuracy and reliability of data collected for the Forgotten Highway project.
• Finalise the upload and structure of Forgotten Highway data in Omeka S.
• Manage and organise social listening data using Omeka S for better accessibility and analysis.
• Extract and analyse data from various sources to understand social media narratives (Data mining).
• Develop a framework for ethical and effective data sharing (Book - Data sharing framework).
• Write an article on Human Language Technology research and applications (Book - HLT Article support).
• Write a book on ethical considerations in digital research and data sharing.
• Build and refine a deep learning model for research applications (Deep learning model).
• Draft a magazine article summarising project outcomes (Magazine support draft - for project closure).
• Develop and refine outputs for the Lebitso project (Products for Lebitso).

Inherent requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree or a B-Tech degree on NQF Level  7 in the field of Computer Science,  plus any other undergraduate interdisciplinary qualification on NQF Level 7 or an interdisciplinary postgraduate qualification on NQF Level 8.  
• Minimum of two (2) years’ relevant working experience in Data Science and IT.

Recommendations:

• Three (3) years’ relevant experience in IT and at least 6 months of data science and data engineering.
• Two discipline degrees in Computer science and another discipline (either a natural science or humanities qualification).
• Knowledge of interdisciplinary data science support.

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Duties and responsibilities: 

Development and Management of the Academic Programmes in Linguistics and Language Practice:

• The design and redesign of the curriculum by involving all relevant stakeholders. 
•  Develop new learning programmes in consultation with industry and other stakeholders. 
•  Frequent and continuous development and management of the operational plan of the Programmes. 
•  Provide general leadership in the Programmes and ensure academic coherence across all various modules    of the programmes. 
•  Responsible for Financial Management (annual budgeting, financial planning, allocation of funds, and financial control), and deployment of the resources needed for maximum benefit to the delivery of the programmes. 
• Motivate and lead employees in the Programmes to achieve transformation within the Programmes and the institution. 
•  Ensure that the activities of the Programmes are undertaken in accordance with the governance, policy and regulatory frameworks of the University. 

Quality Management:

•  Provide top-quality, research-informed facilitation of learning to ensure practise-based learning and improvement. 
•  Assume responsibility for the academic quality of the programmes. 
•  Manage curriculation processes of the programmes.  

Provide Academic and Registration Advice: 

•  Scholarship of high quality and specialised expertise.
•  Teaching, learning, and students. 
•  Conduct own research. 
•  Provide academic advice in terms of academic inquiries, amendments of year books, schedules, timetables,  etc. 
•  Implement applicable governance, policy and regulatory frameworks of the University. 

Marketing of the Programmes in Linguistics and Language Practice: 

•  Serve on the marketing committee of the faculty as necessary. 
•  Compile an annual marketing plan and budget and planning of the implementation thereof in cooperation with the support services concerned. 
•  Advertise the programmes in an appropriate manner. 
•  Compilation of marketing pamphlets or any suitable marketing material. 
•  Involved in the introduction of the programmes at road shows and open days. 
•  Where applicable, liaison with authorities from practice, the professions, the private sector, etc. for the purpose of needs assessment and correlation of subject content with professional precepts.

Inherent requirements:

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Linguistics or Language Practice or closely related field.
• Any full-time, permanent member of the academic staff of the Department of Linguistics or Language Practice

Recommendations:

• Exposure to programme development and academic advisory services will be an advantage. 
•  Additional experience in leadership and management.

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Duties and responsibilities: 

• Teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Computer Science and/or Information Systems.
• Supervise honours students and co-supervise master’s students in Computer Science and/or Information Systems.
• Perform research in at least one of the established research areas of the Department, namely Business Intelligence and Text mining, Computer Science Education, Eye-Tracking Applications, Human-Computer Interaction and Extended Reality, and Digital Inclusion and Community Engagement in IT.
• Publish research outputs in accredited national peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute to curriculum development in the department.
• Participate in community engagement activities.
• Perform general administration duties as applicable at university level.

Inherent requirements:
Lecturer

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Computer Science and Informatics or related discipline (for a permanent appointment) 

or

• Master’s degree on NQF Level 9 in Computer Science and Informatics or related discipline (contract appointment: five years during which a PhD on NQF Level 10 in Computer Science and Informatics or related discipline MUST be obtained to be converted to a permanent position). 
• Experience in lecturing at an undergraduate level.
• Proven experience in the delivery of poster or oral presentations at conferences or equivalent activities.
• Evidence of manuscripts produced that have the potential to be converted or submitted for publication in accredited journals.
• A good academic record (attach a copy).

Recommendations:

• Specialisation in Software Development, Computer Networking and/or Mobile App Development.
• Candidate must be able to teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Information Systems, Computer Science and Software Engineering.
• A record of research output.

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Duties and responsibilities: 

• Teach courses in Finance and/or Banking including specific specialisations that may include banking, financial risk management, financial markets and institutions, derivative instruments, portfolio/investment management, or corporate finance to undergraduate and/or postgraduate students. 
• Develop and refine the curriculum associated with modules taught in Finance and/or Banking. 
• Assist and contribute meaningfully to core activities within the Department including academic administration, research, marketing, seminars, and community development projects. 
• Assist in mentoring and supervising postgraduate students at Honours, Master’s and PhD level. 
• Conduct research in the field of Finance and/or Banking and deliver quality research outputs in the form of DHET-accredited articles (preferably in Q1 and Q2 rated journals), book chapters, books and conference papers, and in line with the research strategy of the faculty. 
• Disseminate research at both local and international conferences, seminars or workshops specialising in Finance and/or Banking. 
• Manage the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) affiliation relationship with the Chartered Financial Institute. 
• Pursue and manage additional professional affiliations/accreditations to improve the international standing of the department. 
• Serve as a member of various academic committees within the faculty and university. 
• Participate in formal self-development programmes within the UFS aimed at strengthening aspirations and skills as a researcher and lecturer. 
• Contribute meaningfully to the culture of collegiality and collaboration within the department. 

Inherent requirements:
Lecturer

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 with a background in Finance or Banking or related discipline (for a permanent appointment) 

or

• Master’s degree on NQF Level 9 with a background in Finance or Banking or related discipline (contract appointment: five years during which a PhD on NQF Level 10 with a background in Finance or Banking or related discipline MUST be obtained to be converted to a permanent position). 
• Be in possession of, or provide evidence of being busy studying towards, either the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) professional designation (attach proof).
• Proven experience in the delivery of poster or oral presentations at conferences or equivalent activities at national conferences.
• Evidence of potential to conduct research and publish in relevant publication/s in peer-reviewed national and international DHET-accredited scientific journals.
• A good academic record (attach a copy).

Senior Lecturer

• PhD on NQF Level 10 with a background in Finance or Banking or related discipline.
• Proven experience in the presentation of papers/posters at national scholarly conferences.
• Be in possession of, or provide evidence of being busy studying towards, either the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) professional designation (attach proof).
• 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 DHET-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.

Associate Professor

• PhD on NQF Level 10 with a background in Finance or Banking or related discipline.
• Experience as external examiner for postgraduate students.
• Be in possession of, or provide evidence of being busy studying towards, either the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) professional designation (attach proof).
• 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 Finance and/or banking.
• An NRF rating or demonstrated potential for obtaining an NRF rating within the next three years. 
• Proven experience in the supervision of graduated master’s and PhD degree students.
• A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international DHET-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.

Recommendations:

• Proven experience in supervising topics in Finance and/or Banking.
• Proven lecturing and research experience in Higher Education.
• Possess the ability to develop a curriculum and teaching resources for the courses specialising in Finance and Banking.
• Possess the necessary skills and knowledge in using software including Eviews, Stata, SmartPLS, or SPSS (including Amos).
• Demonstrate sound knowledge and proficiency of coding language including Python or R and apply this in the disciplines of Finance and/or Banking.
• Excellent research record.
• Member of a or registration at a professional body (attach proof).
• Experience as a departmental leader/ manager in a higher education environment.