Current Vacancies at Durban University of Technology

Position purpose

• The appointee will strengthen the Institute's research programme in enterprise life courses, survival and scaling. The role requires a scholar able to generate theoretically significant and practically useful evidence for African enterprise futures, develop postgraduate capacity and work across disciplinary and institutional boundaries.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Entrepreneurship or Small-business Development or Development Economics or Enterprise Development or Business Management or Economic Sociology or Public Policy, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated leadership in enterprise life courses, survival and scaling research.
• Substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, with recognised standing in the field.
• A sustained record of high-quality, cited research; competitive grant awards; international recognition; and leadership of substantial externally funded programmes.
• Evidence of excellent teaching, postgraduate mentorship, curriculum contribution and academic citizenship appropriate to appointment rank.
• A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Evidence of substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master’s and Doctoral students.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Longitudinal enterprise research; survival, failure and recovery; productivity and managerial capability; enterprise finance; informal-formal pathways; responsible scaling and employment quality.

Key responsibilities

• Provide senior intellectual leadership for the KwaZulu-Natal Enterprise Life-Course Observatory and establish a rigorous longitudinal panel of township, rural, informal, student and innovation-driven ventures.
• Advance comparative African scholarship on necessity- and opportunity-driven entrepreneurship, enterprise resilience, household-enterprise interdependence, finance across the enterprise lifecycle and pathways to productive scale.
• Design and lead robust evaluations of enterprise-support interventions, including appropriate comparison strategies and mixed-method longitudinal analysis.
• Develop and sustain a focused programme of original, high-quality research within the designated Institute theme.
• Build ethical, mutually beneficial research partnerships with entrepreneurs, communities, government, industry and African or international universities.
• Translate research into evidence briefs, decision tools and demonstrable policy, enterprise or ecosystem use while maintaining academic independence.
• Comply with DUT requirements for research ethics, data governance, intellectual property, financial management, reporting and audit readiness.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary Institute seminars, postgraduate training, limited teaching where required, and the collegial life of DUT.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or demonstrable eligibility for rating, or equivalent recognised research standing.
• Advanced competence in quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed research methods relevant to enterprise research, including ethical use of administrative, platform or longitudinal data.
• A record of engaged scholarship and credible knowledge translation for policy, industry, entrepreneurs or communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive development, with research addressing youth entrepreneurship, women-owned enterprises, informal economies, rural enterprise development, sustainability, or social innovation.
• Experience in translating research into decision-support tools, policy frameworks, enterprise-development models, diagnostic instruments, or other practical outputs with measurable external impact.
• Demonstrated contribution to entrepreneurship education, curriculum innovation, entrepreneurial learning, or the advancement of entrepreneurial university practices

Position 2

Associate Professor: Inclusive Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Finance and Resilience

• Theme 1: Inclusive Enterprise Formation, Survival and Scaling
• Reference Number: 30002767
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will strengthen the Institute's research programme in inclusive entrepreneurship, enterprise finance and resilience. The role requires a scholar able to generate theoretically rigorous and practically relevant evidence on enterprise formation, survival, productivity, resilience and scaling within diverse African contexts.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in entrepreneurship or finance or development studies or economics or business management or behavioural science, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated engagement in inclusive entrepreneurship, enterprise finance and resilience.
• A significant period of sustained academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, with demonstrable expertise in inclusive entrepreneurship, enterprise finance and resilience.
• Evidence of research quality through appropriate bibliometrics, grant awards, academic leadership, very good teaching and meaningful disciplinary or community engagement.
• A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master’s and Doctoral students.
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading or contributing to multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Inclusive entrepreneurial pathways; youth, women and community entrepreneurship; alternative finance; entrepreneur wellbeing; business continuity; informal enterprise development and second-chance entrepreneurship.

Key responsibilities

• Lead research on differentiated enterprise pathways in unequal and resource-constrained settings, with particular attention to township, rural and informal economies.
• Develop and validate diagnostics of survival, resilience, productivity, finance readiness and scaling constraints for distinct enterprise types.
• Build participatory studies with entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners that preserve research independence and produce actionable evidence.
• Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner research programmes.
• Build ethical, mutually beneficial research partnerships with entrepreneurs, communities, government, industry and African or international universities.
• Translate research into evidence briefs, decision tools and demonstrable policy, enterprise or ecosystem use while maintaining academic independence.
• Comply with DUT requirements for research ethics, data governance, intellectual property, financial management, reporting and audit readiness.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary Institute seminars, postgraduate training, limited teaching where required, and the collegial life of DUT.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or demonstrable eligibility for rating, or equivalent recognised research standing.
• Advanced competence in quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed research methods relevant to enterprise research, including ethical use of administrative, platform or longitudinal data.
• A record of engaged scholarship and credible knowledge translation for policy, industry, entrepreneurs or communities.
• Evidence of collaboration with African and international researchers working on inclusive growth, entrepreneurship, enterprise development, or economic inclusion.
• Demonstrated contribution to entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial mindset development, experiential learning initiatives.

Position 3

Professor: Value Chains, Procurement and Digital Trade

• Theme 2: Market Access, Value Chains and Digital Trade
• Reference Number: 30002766
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will strengthen the Institute's research programme in value chains, procurement and digital trade. The role requires a scholar able to generate theoretically significant and practically useful evidence for African enterprise futures, develop postgraduate capacity and work across disciplinary and institutional boundaries.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in supply-chain management or economics or international trade or marketing or logistics or entrepreneurship or information systems or public procurement, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated leadership in value chains, procurement and digital trade.
• Substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, with recognised standing in the field.
• A sustained record of high-quality, cited research; competitive grant awards; international recognition; and leadership of substantial externally funded programmes.
• Evidence of excellent teaching, postgraduate mentorship, curriculum contribution and academic citizenship appropriate to appointment rank.
• A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Evidence of substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master’s and Doctoral students.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Public procurement and localisation; corporate supplier development; digital platforms and commerce; export readiness; port-linked opportunity; clusters, local value chains and market intelligence.

Key responsibilities

• Provide senior intellectual leadership for the Durban Market Access and Value Chain Lab, including a KZN market-access and value-chain atlas.
• Lead research on how small enterprises enter, compete and retain value in public, corporate, digital and export markets, including port-linked logistics and manufacturing corridors.
• Develop measures of durable market access based on repeat sales, margins, contract performance, bargaining power and resilience rather than event participation alone.
• Examine the implications of artificial intelligence, data analytics, platform governance and digital technologies for enterprise growth and trade participation.
• Build ethical, mutually beneficial research partnerships with entrepreneurs, communities, government, industry and African or international universities.
• Translate research into evidence briefs, decision tools and demonstrable policy, enterprise or ecosystem use while maintaining academic independence.
• Comply with DUT requirements for research ethics, data governance, intellectual property, financial management, reporting and audit readiness.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary Institute seminars, postgraduate training, limited teaching where required, and the collegial life of DUT.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or demonstrable eligibility for rating, or equivalent recognised research standing.
• Advanced competence in quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed research methods relevant to enterprise research, including ethical use of administrative, platform or longitudinal data.
• A record of engaged scholarship and credible knowledge translation for policy, industry, entrepreneurs or communities.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead multidisciplinary research teams involving economics, business, logistics, technology, entrepreneurship, industrial development, and public policy.

Position 4

Senior Lecturer: Digital Markets, Supplier Development and Market Intelligence

• Theme 2: Market Access, Value Chains and Digital Trade
• Reference Number: 30002769
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will strengthen the Institute's research programme in digital markets, supplier development and market intelligence. The role requires a scholar able to generate theoretically significant and practically useful evidence for African enterprise futures, develop postgraduate capacity and work across disciplinary and institutional boundaries.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in digital business or marketing or information systems or supply-chain management or entrepreneurship or business analytics, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A developing record of research and/or academic leadership in digital markets, supplier development and market intelligence.
• Evidence of excellent teaching, innovative assessment or curriculum practice, effective academic advising and a developing independent research programme.
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.
• Evidence of participation in supervision of Master’s students.
• Evidence of participation in grants writing.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Platform participation; digital payments; discoverability; algorithmic exclusion; buyer behaviour; product-market fit; supplier onboarding; standards; customer retention and collective market access.

Key responsibilities

• Undertake applied research on digital-commerce participation, platform power, data rights, trust, logistics and algorithmic exclusion affecting small enterprises.
• Design sector studies and field experiments concerning supplier onboarding, buyer matching, standards compliance, digital trade and customer retention.
• Contribute to the procurement and supplier-development friction index and translate findings into usable instruments for enterprises and buyers.
• Build ethical, mutually beneficial research partnerships with entrepreneurs, communities, government, industry and African or international universities.
• Comply with DUT requirements for research ethics, data governance, intellectual property, financial management, reporting and audit readiness.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary Institute seminars, postgraduate training, limited teaching where required, and the collegial life of DUT.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An emerging national research profile and evidence of readiness to apply for an NRF rating or equivalent recognition.
• Competence in quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed research methods relevant to enterprise research, including ethical use of administrative, platform or longitudinal data.
• A record of engaged scholarship and credible knowledge translation for policy, industry, entrepreneurs or communities.

Position 5

Associate Professor: Research Commercialisation and Venture Evidence

• Theme 3: Innovation Commercialisation and Sustainable Business Models
• Reference Number: 30002768
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will strengthen the Institute's research programme in research commercialisation and venture evidence through internationally recognised scholarship that advances understanding of how innovations move from discovery to societal and economic impact.
• The role requires a scholar capable of generating theoretically significant and practically useful evidence for African enterprise futures, develop postgraduate capacity and work across disciplinary and institutional boundaries.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in innovation management or entrepreneurship or technology management or commercialization or strategic management or intellectual property studies or economics, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated engagement in research commercialisation and venture evidence through internationally recognised scholarship that advances understanding of how innovations move from discovery to societal and economic impact.
• A significant period of sustained academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, with demonstrable expertise in research commercialisation and venture evidence.
• Evidence of research quality through appropriate bibliometrics, grant awards, academic leadership, very good teaching and meaningful disciplinary or community engagement.
• A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master’s and Doctoral students.
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading or contributing to multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• University spinouts; research commercialisation; proof of concept; IP strategy; licensing and venture pathways; founder teams; customer validation; investment readiness and commercialisation evidence.

Key responsibilities

• Lead a major workstream within the DUT Venture and Business Model Evidence Lab, tracing university, student and community innovations from concept or disclosure through validation, commercialisation, adoption and impact.
• Produce comparative evidence on licensing, spinout, social-enterprise and partnership pathways without assuming responsibility for operational incubation or technology-transfer transactions.
• Develop and validate commercialisation-readiness, venture-evidence and valuation instruments that connect technical promise to market demand and societal value.
• Examine the factors that influence venture survival, sustainability and long-term impact in African and emerging economy contexts.
• Build ethical, mutually beneficial research partnerships with entrepreneurs, communities, government, industry and African or international universities.
• Translate research into evidence briefs, decision tools and demonstrable policy, enterprise or ecosystem use while maintaining academic independence.
• Comply with DUT requirements for research ethics, data governance, intellectual property, financial management, reporting and audit readiness.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary Institute seminars, postgraduate training, limited teaching where required, and the collegial life of DUT.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or demonstrable eligibility for rating, or equivalent recognised research standing.
• Advanced competence in quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed research methods relevant to enterprise research, including ethical use of administrative, platform or longitudinal data.
• A record of engaged scholarship and credible knowledge translation for policy, industry, entrepreneurs or communities.
• Evidence of working with technology transfer offices, innovation agencies, incubators, accelerators, science parks, venture builders, investors, or commercialisation support organisations.

Position 6

Senior Lecturer: Sustainable, Circular and Social Business Models

• Theme 3: Innovation Commercialisation and Sustainable Business Models
• Reference Number: 30002770
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will strengthen the Institute's research programme in sustainable, circular and social business models. The role requires a scholar capable of generating theoretically significant and practically useful evidence for African enterprise futures, develop postgraduate capacity and work across disciplinary and institutional boundaries.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in sustainable business or circular economy or innovation management or entrepreneurship or environmental economics or industrial ecology or social innovation, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A developing record of research and/or academic leadership in sustainable, circular and social business models.
• Evidence of excellent teaching, innovative assessment or curriculum practice, effective academic advising and a developing independent research programme.
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.
• Evidence of participation in supervision of Master’s students.
• Evidence of participation in grants writing.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Green, circular and regenerative enterprise; social and community innovation; frugal innovation; business-model experimentation; technology diffusion; AI adoption and just-transition enterprise opportunities.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct research on resource productivity, repair, reuse, waste valorisation, low-carbon enterprise and business-model renewal in climate- and infrastructure-disrupted settings.
• Evaluate hybrid-value, cooperative, community-ownership and social-enterprise models, including their financial, environmental and societal sustainability.
• Co-design and assess green and circular business-model demonstrators with implementation partners using credible baselines and adoption measures.
• Investigate the drivers and barriers influencing adoption of circular economy practices, resource-efficient production systems and sustainable enterprise models.
• Examine the role of entrepreneurship and innovation in addressing societal challenges, including climate change, unemployment, inequality, poverty and community resilience.
• Build ethical, mutually beneficial research partnerships with entrepreneurs, communities, government, industry and African or international universities.
• Translate research into evidence briefs, decision tools and demonstrable policy, enterprise or ecosystem use while maintaining academic independence.
• Comply with DUT requirements for research ethics, data governance, intellectual property, financial management, reporting and audit readiness.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary Institute seminars, postgraduate training, limited teaching where required, and the collegial life of DUT.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An emerging national research profile and evidence of readiness to apply for an NRF rating or equivalent recognition.
• Knowledge in evaluating social, environmental and economic impacts of enterprises, programmes, technologies, or business-model interventions.
• A record of engaged scholarship and credible knowledge translation for policy, industry, entrepreneurs or communities.

Application Information applies to all six positions:

Application requirements

• A fully completed prescribed DUT application for employment form, obtainable from www.dut.ac.za under Quick Links / Careers.
• A detailed curriculum vitae explicitly demonstrating how the applicant meets the rank and theme-specific requirements.
• A covering letter identifying the exact position, rank and research theme applied for.
• Copies of all relevant academic records and certificates.
• A copy of an identity document or passport, and current contact details for referees.

 Closing Date 02 October 2026

go to method of application »

Position purpose

• The Professor will establish and lead a focused research programme in African-language AI, natural-language processing and speech technologies. The appointee will work within Theme 1: African Data, Language and Knowledge Intelligence and collaborate across the Institute's data, responsible-AI and public-value platforms. The post requires disciplinary depth, interdisciplinary judgement and an ability to produce research that is scientifically rigorous, contextually valid and responsibly translated.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in either Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computational Linguistics, Electrical/Electronic or Computer or Communication or Information Engineering, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership in African-Language AI, natural-language processing and speech technologies.
• Substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment with recognised standing in the field.
• A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Evidence of substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (i.e. grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• African-language NLP and speech: isiZulu and other African-language text, speech recognition and synthesis, translation, code-switching, dialect variation and culturally grounded evaluation;
• Low-resource and multilingual machine learning: transfer, self-supervised, few-shot, active and multimodal learning under limited labelled data and compute; Language and knowledge intelligence: knowledge graphs, information retrieval, foundation-model adaptation, multimodal archives and community- or institutionally grounded knowledge systems; Benchmark and corpus leadership: ethically governed datasets, transparent annotation protocols, benchmark tasks and reproducible evaluation for African languages.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an internationally visible programme of research aligned to the assigned Institute theme and the Institute's five-year research agenda.
• Produce high-quality peer-reviewed outputs, research software, datasets, methods, policy contributions and/or responsible innovation outputs, as appropriate to the field.
• Attract competitive external research funding and develop accountable partnerships with African and international universities, government, industry, civil society and communities.
• Supervise and develop Master's and Doctoral candidates and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research methods training, postgraduate seminars and selected teaching or curriculum development in relevant DUT academic programmes, as agreed with the Institute's Director and participating faculties.
• Apply rigorous research ethics, privacy, security, data governance, reproducibility, model documentation and responsible-AI requirements throughout the research lifecycle.
• Participate in Institute planning, project stage gates, peer review, reporting, community or industry engagement, and the translation of validated research into public, policy, professional or commercial value.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or equivalent recognised international research standing.
• A record of building interdisciplinary research platforms, laboratories, datasets or research software with sustainable governance.
• The candidate's qualifications, publications, supervision record and current research programme must demonstrate substantive alignment with the advertised specialisation; incidental use of data analysis or generic AI tools will not, on its own, constitute sufficient alignment.
• Provide intellectual leadership for the Institute's African-language AI portfolio and help establish the KwaZulu-Natal Data and Language Commons.
• Build sustained collaboration with language scholars, communities, public institutions and technology partners so that datasets and systems reflect linguistic meaning, consent, provenance and benefit.
• Lead internationally competitive grants and postgraduate programmes that generate both fundamental methodological advances and practical language technologies.

Position 2

• Professor: Trustworthy AI Assurance, Robustness, Privacy and Security
• Theme 2: Trustworthy, Responsible and Human-Centred AI
• Reference Number: 30002784
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban University of Technology; multi-campus and partner-facing responsibilities as required

Position purpose

• The Professor will establish and lead a focused research programme in Trustworthy AI assurance, robustness, privacy and security. The appointee will work within Theme 2: Trustworthy, Responsible and Human-Centred AI and collaborate across the Institute's data, responsible-AI and public-value platforms. The post requires disciplinary depth, interdisciplinary judgement and an ability to produce research that is scientifically rigorous, contextually valid and responsibly translated.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in either Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science/Statistics, Cybersecurity, Information Systems, Applied Mathematics, Electrical/Electronic or Computer or Information Engineering or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in trustworthy AI assurance, robustness, privacy and security.
• Substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment with recognised standing in the field.
• A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Evidence of substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (i.e. grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• AI assurance and evaluation: model validation, calibration, uncertainty, subgroup performance, auditability and lifecycle evidence; Robustness, safety and security: distribution shift, adversarial machine learning, red-teaming, secure MLOps, model misuse and incident learning;
• Privacy-enhancing AI: federated learning, differential privacy, synthetic data, secure computation, de-identification and disclosure-risk assessment; Responsible generative and agentic AI: methods for mitigation of hallucination, deepfakes and institutional risks, control, provenance, copyright protection and responsible AI assurance metrics.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an internationally visible programme of research aligned to the assigned Institute theme and the Institute's five-year research agenda.
• Produce high-quality peer-reviewed outputs, research software, datasets, methods, policy contributions and/or responsible innovation outputs, as appropriate to the field.
• Attract competitive external research funding and develop accountable partnerships with African and international universities, government, industry, civil society and communities.
• Supervise and develop Master's and Doctoral candidates and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research methods training, postgraduate seminars and selected teaching or curriculum development in relevant DUT academic programmes, as agreed with the Institute's Director and participating faculties.
• Apply rigorous research ethics, privacy, security, data governance, reproducibility, model documentation and responsible-AI requirements throughout the research lifecycle.
• Participate in Institute planning, project stage gates, peer review, reporting, community or industry engagement, and the translation of validated research into public, policy, professional or commercial value.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or equivalent recognised international research standing.
• A record of building interdisciplinary research platforms, laboratories, datasets or research software with sustainable governance.
• The candidate's qualifications, publications, supervision record and current research programme must demonstrate substantive alignment with the advertised specialisation; incidental use of data analysis or generic AI tools will not, on its own, constitute sufficient alignment.
• Provide intellectual leadership for the DUT Responsible AI Assurance Lab and develop rigorous, field-tested assurance methods.
• Establish evaluation protocols that integrate technical, ethical, legal, social and environmental criteria without reducing responsible AI to compliance paperwork.
• Lead major partnerships and grants in trustworthy AI, cybersecurity, privacy and high-risk AI evaluation, including independent or comparative studies.

Position 3

• Associate Professor: African Data Engineering, Governance and Privacy-Preserving Data Science
• Theme 1: African Data, Language and Knowledge Intelligence
• Reference Number: 30002785
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban University of Technology; multi-campus and partner-facing responsibilities as required

Position purpose

• The Associate Professor will establish and lead a focused research programme in African data engineering, governance and privacy-preserving data science. The appointee will work within Theme 1: African Data, Language and Knowledge Intelligence and collaborate across the Institute's data, responsible-AI and public-value platforms.
• The post requires disciplinary depth, interdisciplinary judgement and an ability to produce research that is scientifically rigorous, contextually valid and responsibly translated.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Data Science, Computer Science, Informatics, Information Systems, Computer or Information or Communication Engineering, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in African data engineering, governance and privacy-preserving data science.
• A significant period of sustained academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (i.e. grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations

Theme-specific expertise

• Data quality and interoperability: provenance, metadata, standards, entity resolution, linkage, missingness, representativeness and reproducible pipelines; African data governance and sovereignty: lawful basis, custodianship, consent, benefit sharing, access tiers, licensing and cross-border data stewardship; Privacy-preserving analytics: federated analysis, synthetic data, de-identification, secure research environments and disclosure-risk measurement; Multimodal and geospatial data assets: documents, images, audio, sensors and spatial data with transparent documentation and meaningful domain annotation.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an internationally visible programme of research aligned to the assigned Institute theme and the Institute's five-year research agenda.
• Produce high-quality peer-reviewed outputs, research software, datasets, methods, policy contributions and/or responsible innovation outputs, as appropriate to the field.
• Attract competitive external research funding and develop accountable partnerships with African and international universities, government, industry, civil society and communities.
• Supervise and develop Master's and Doctoral candidates and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research methods training, postgraduate seminars and selected teaching or curriculum development in relevant DUT academic programmes, as agreed with the Institute's Director and participating faculties.
• Apply rigorous research ethics, privacy, security, data governance, reproducibility, model documentation and responsible-AI requirements throughout the research lifecycle.
• Participate in Institute planning, project stage gates, peer review, reporting, community or industry engagement, and the translation of validated research into public, policy, professional or commercial value.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or demonstrable trajectory towards recognised research standing.
• Experience leading a work package, laboratory, research group or multi-partner project.
• Evidence of research translation into datasets, software, policy, standards, professional practice, public value or responsible commercialisation.
• Co-lead the KwaZulu-Natal Data and Language Commons, focusing on research-grade data architecture, stewardship and access.
• Develop methods for usable, representative and responsibly governed data under fragmented records, limited infrastructure and unequal digital access.
• Support Institute-wide data standards, reproducibility, secure research workspaces and postgraduate training in data engineering and governance.

Position 4

• Associate Professor: AI for Sustainable Cities, Infrastructure, Climate, Water and Energy
• Theme 3: AI for Sustainable Systems and Public Value
• Reference Number: 30002786
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban University of Technology; multi-campus and partner-facing responsibilities as required

Position purpose

• The Associate Professor will establish and lead a focused research programme in AI for sustainable cities, infrastructure, climate, water and energy. The appointee will work within Theme 3: AI For Sustainable Systems and Public Value and collaborate across the Institute's data, responsible-AI and public-value platforms. The post requires disciplinary depth, interdisciplinary judgement and an ability to produce research that is scientifically rigorous, contextually valid and responsibly translated.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in either Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Civil or Electrical/Electronic or Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Geomatics, Environmental Science, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership in AI for sustainable cities, infrastructure, climate, water and energy.
• A significant period of sustained academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (i.e. grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Smart and resilient systems: IoT, edge AI, digital twins, geospatial intelligence and low-connectivity reference architectures; Infrastructure and mobility: predictive maintenance, transport, ports, logistics, asset management and service-delivery analytics;
• Climate, water and energy intelligence: earth observation, forecasting, anomaly detection, optimisation, early warning and resource stewardship; Implementation and public value: baseline design, adoption, workflow, lifecycle cost, equity, unintended effects and accountable transfer to operational owners.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an internationally visible programme of research aligned to the assigned Institute theme and the Institute's five-year research agenda.
• Produce high-quality peer-reviewed outputs, research software, datasets, methods, policy contributions and/or responsible innovation outputs, as appropriate to the field.
• Attract competitive external research funding and develop accountable partnerships with African and international universities, government, industry, civil society and communities.
• Supervise and develop Master's and Doctoral candidates and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research methods training, postgraduate seminars and selected teaching or curriculum development in relevant DUT academic programmes, as agreed with the Institute Director and participating faculties.
• Apply rigorous research ethics, privacy, security, data governance, reproducibility, model documentation and responsible-AI requirements throughout the research lifecycle.
• Participate in Institute planning, project stage gates, peer review, reporting, community or industry engagement, and the translation of validated research into public, policy, professional or commercial value.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or demonstrable trajectory towards recognised research standing.
• Experience leading a work package, laboratory, research group or multi-partner project.
• Evidence of research translation into datasets, software, policy, standards, professional practice, public value or responsible commercialisation.
• Build interdisciplinary programmes with the Urban Planning and Smart Cities Institute, Water and Wastewater Technology Institute, engineering and applied-science disciplines, municipalities and industry.
• Lead transferable methodological research rather than isolated application prototypes, with robust comparison designs and measurable outcomes.
• Develop demonstrators suitable for the KZN AI for Public Value Living Lab and attract funding for resilient infrastructure and sustainable-systems research.

Position 5

• Senior Lecturer: Human-Centred, Explainable and Fair Artificial Intelligence
• Theme 2: Trustworthy, Responsible and Human-Centred AI
• Reference Number: 30002787
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban University of Technology; multi-campus and partner-facing responsibilities as required

Position purpose

• The Senior Lecturer will establish and lead a focused research programme in Human-centred, explainable and fair AI. The appointee will work within Theme 2: Trustworthy, Responsible and Human-Centred AI and collaborate across the Institute's data, responsible-AI and public-value platforms. The post requires disciplinary depth, interdisciplinary judgement and an ability to produce research that is scientifically rigorous, contextually valid and responsibly translated.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Systems, Cognitive Science, Law and Technology, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A record of research and/or academic leadership in human-centred, explainable and fair AI.
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.
• Evidence of participation in supervision of Master's students.
• Evidence of participation in grants writing.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Human--AI interaction: automation bias, cognitive workload, accessibility, trust calibration, meaningful oversight and contestability; Explainability and uncertainty communication: interpretable models, counterfactuals, causal explanation and communication to technical and non-technical users; Fairness and distributional impact: bias measurement, intersectional evaluation, mitigation trade-offs and the effects of AI on differently situated groups; Participatory and responsible design: co-design with affected users, AI impact assessment, model documentation and comparative human-only, AI-assisted and automated decision studies.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an internationally visible programme of research aligned to the assigned Institute theme and the Institute's five-year research agenda.
• Produce high-quality peer-reviewed outputs, research software, datasets, methods, policy contributions and/or responsible innovation outputs, as appropriate to the field.
• Contribute to the attraction of competitive external research funding and develop accountable partnerships with African and international universities, government, industry, civil society and communities.
• Co-supervise and develop Master's and Doctoral candidates and mentor emerging researchers.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research methods training, postgraduate seminars and selected teaching or curriculum development in relevant DUT academic programmes, as agreed with the Institute Director and participating faculties.
• Apply rigorous research ethics, privacy, security, data governance, reproducibility, model documentation and responsible-AI requirements throughout the research lifecycle.
• Participate in Institute planning, project stage gates, peer review, reporting, community or industry engagement, and the translation of validated research into public, policy, professional or commercial value.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Evidence of participation in funded interdisciplinary research or applied research partnerships.
• Experience producing reusable datasets, research software, evaluation tools, prototypes, policy or practice outputs.
• A clear plan for developing an externally funded research and postgraduate-supervision portfolio within the Institute.
• Develop an empirical human-centred AI programme linking technical evaluation with user experience, rights and institutional accountability.
• Contribute evaluation tools and protocols to the DUT Responsible AI Assurance Lab.
• Co-lead postgraduate and partner studies in high-stakes settings while ensuring that affected people can understand, question and contest AI-supported decisions.

Position 6

• Senior Lecturer: AI for Health, Education, Public Services and Inclusive Productivity
• Theme 3: AI for Sustainable Systems and Public Value
• Reference Number: 30002788
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban University of Technology; multi-campus and partner-facing responsibilities as required

Position purpose

• The Senior Lecturer will establish and lead a focused research programme in AI for health, education, public services and inclusive productivity. The appointee will work within Theme 3: AI for Sustainable Systems and Public Value and collaborate across the Institute's data, responsible-AI and public-value platforms. The post requires disciplinary depth, interdisciplinary judgement and an ability to produce research that is scientifically rigorous, contextually valid and responsibly translated.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Data Science/Statistics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Health Informatics, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, Information Systems, Educational Technology, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A Record of research and/or academic leadership in AI for health, education, public services and inclusive productivity.
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.
• Evidence of participation in supervision of Master's students.
• Evidence of participation in grants writing.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Health and care analytics: risk modelling, imaging, operations, population health and accountable decision support with clinical and health-device partners; Education and learning analytics: student support and AI-enabled education with explicit limits on surveillance and automated judgement; Public-sector analytics: planning, resource allocation, service responsiveness and fraud or risk detection with transparency and appeal mechanisms; Inclusive productivity: manufacturing, supply chains, SMMEs, informal economies and worker-centred augmentation, with implementation and equity evidence.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an internationally visible programme of research aligned to the assigned Institute theme and the Institute's five-year research agenda.
• Produce high-quality peer-reviewed outputs, research software, datasets, methods, policy contributions and/or responsible innovation outputs, as appropriate to the field.
• Contribute to the attraction of competitive external research funding and develop accountable partnerships with African and international universities, government, industry, civil society and communities.
• Co-supervise and develop Master's and Doctoral candidates and mentor emerging researchers.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research methods training, postgraduate seminars and selected teaching or curriculum development in relevant DUT academic programmes, as agreed with the Institute Director and participating faculties.
• Apply rigorous research ethics, privacy, security, data governance, reproducibility, model documentation and responsible-AI requirements throughout the research lifecycle.
• Participate in Institute planning, project stage gates, peer review, reporting, community or industry engagement, and the translation of validated research into public, policy, professional or commercial value.
• Ideal / additional recommendations
• Evidence of participation in funded interdisciplinary research or applied research partnerships.
• Experience in contributing to reusable datasets, research software, evaluation tools, prototypes, policy or practice outputs.
• A clear plan for developing an externally funded research and postgraduate-supervision portfolio within the Institute.
• Develop co-led applied research programmes with relevant DUT faculties and institutes, government, communities and industry partners.
• Design prospective validation and implementation studies that distinguish model accuracy from adoption, outcomes and public value.
• Contribute programmes to the KZN AI for Public Value Living Lab and build a strong postgraduate and funded-research pipeline.

Application Information applies to all six positions:

Application requirements

• A fully completed prescribed DUT application-for-employment form obtainable from www.dut.ac.za under Quick Links / Careers.
• A detailed curriculum vitae that explicitly demonstrates alignment with the relevant position, priority theme and technical specialisation.
• A covering letter identifying the exact position title and reference number for which the applicant is applying.
• Copies of relevant academic records and qualification certificates, including SAQA evaluation where applicable.
• A copy of the applicant's identity document or passport and current contact information for referees.
• For Professor and Associate Professor positions, a concise research profile indicating DHET-accredited outputs over the preceding three years, citation or other appropriate evidence of quality, completed postgraduate supervisions, grant awards and leadership contributions.

Closing Date 02 October 2026

go to method of application »

Position 1

• Professor: Biosensors, Microfluidics, In-Vitro Diagnostics and Clinical Validation
• Theme 1: Point-of-Care Diagnostics and Essential Clinical Devices
• Reference Number: 30002774
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Reporting Line: Director: DUT Health Devices Innovation Institute
• Theme-specific expertise
• Biosensors, microfluidics, in-vitro diagnostics and clinical validation

Minimum requirements

• A relevant doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in Biomedical Engineering, Medical Physics, Electrical Engineering, Clinical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Science or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated leadership in the relevant scholarly field.
• A substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, with recognised standing in the field.
• A minimum of ten DHET-accredited research outputs or recognised creative/innovation outputs during the preceding three years, relevant to the field.
• Evidence of substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• A sustained record of high-quality, cited research; competitive grant awards; international recognition; and leadership of substantial interdisciplinary programmes.
• Evidence of excellent teaching, postgraduate mentorship, curriculum contribution and academic citizenship appropriate to appointment at Full Professor level .
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

Research Leadership

• Lead an internationally credible portfolio of affordable point-of-care and near-patient diagnostic technologies for priority infectious, maternal-child and non-communicable conditions.
• Develop, lead and grow a high-quality, externally funded research programme encompassing biosensors, microfluidics, imaging systems and essential clinical monitoring devices.
• Develop research on analytical performance, clinical validity, real-world performance, calibration, consumables, shelf life and sample pathways.
• Establish co-led clinical-validation programmes with authorised health-service partners and appropriate biostatistical support.
• Lead analytical performance verification, clinical validation, usability and real-world evidence generation for device prototypes.
• Generate peer-reviewed outputs, protectable intellectual property where appropriate, translational evidence and standards or policy contributions.
• Ensure all research proceeds through proportionate ethics, risk, regulatory and clinical evidence pathways in accordance with SAHPRA and applicable standards.
• Postgraduate Supervision and Teaching
• Build competitive multi-partner grants, laboratories/platforms and postgraduate cohorts linking engineering, clinical science, data and implementation.
• Supervise doctoral and master's students across Theme 1 research streams, with a commitment to timely completions.
• Mentor junior researchers, postdoctoral fellows and research associates within the Institute.

Partnership and Funding

• Establish and maintain formal clinical, community and industry partnerships for needs identification, co-design and clinical evaluation.
• Lead or co-lead grant applications, contracted research and philanthropic funding proposals to sustain and grow the research programme.
• Represent the Institute in relevant national and international professional forums, standards bodies and policy engagements.

Governance and Compliance

• Implement the Institute's stage-gate governance framework for all Theme 1 projects, including ethics approvals, design controls, risk registers and documentation standards.
• Report on Theme 1 performance against agreed targets to the Institute Director and relevant governance structures.
• Maintain audit readiness and contribute to quality assurance across the Institute's research portfolio.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or demonstrated equivalent international standing through publications, citations and scholarly recognition is strongly advantageous.

Position 2

• Senior Lecturer: Essential Monitoring, Maternal-Neonatal Devices and Human Factors
• Theme 1: Point-of-Care Diagnostics and Essential Clinical Devices
• Reference Number: 30002778
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Reporting Line: Director: DUT Health Devices Innovation Institute
• Theme-specific expertise
• Essential monitoring, maternal-neonatal devices and human factors

Minimum requirements

• A relevant doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in Biomedical Engineering, Medical Physics, Electrical Engineering, Clinical Laboratory Science or a closely related field.
• A developing record of research and/or academic leadership in the relevant scholarly field.
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• At least three DHET-accredited research outputs or recognised creative/innovation outputs during the preceding three years.
• Evidence of participation in supervision of Master's students.
• Evidence of excellent teaching, innovative assessment or curriculum practice, effective academic advising and a developing independent research programme.
• Evidence of participation in grants writing.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations.
• Evidence of participation in grants writing.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

Research

• Design and evaluate essential monitoring, triage, medication-support or maternal-neonatal devices for constrained care environments.
• Conduct human-factors, usability, workflow, language, training and referral-integration studies with users and clinicians.
• Develop traceable device requirements, verification protocols and research documentation from concept stage.
• Contribute to Theme 1 research in essential monitoring devices or related streams under the leadership of the Theme 1 Professor.
• Participate in the KZN Frontline Diagnostics and Essential Devices Platform, contributing to analytical verification, usability evaluation and clinical evidence generation.
• Maintain compliance with Institute ethics, risk and design-control requirements in all research activities.
• Pursue external research funding through grants, fellowships and contracted research.
• Postgraduate Supervision and Teaching
• Co-supervise and progressively lead master's-level research projects within Theme 1.
• Publish research, supervise postgraduate candidates and contribute to interdisciplinary teaching and methods development.
• Contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in biomedical engineering, diagnostic science or related disciplines in collaboration with DUT faculties.
• Support and mentor postgraduate students and junior researchers within the Institute.

Partnership and Engagement

• Support prototype testing, field studies, grant proposals and innovation or knowledge-transfer activities.
• Participate in clinical and community needs-identification activities and formal co-design workshops with health-service and industry partners.
• Contribute to grant applications, technical reports and deliverables for funded projects within Theme 1.
• Engage with professional bodies and participate in relevant seminars, workshops and community engagement activities.

Administration and Governance

• Contribute to Institute governance activities, including stage-gate documentation, ethics submissions and project reporting.
• Participate in performance review processes and Institute quality-assurance activities as required.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Experience in biomedical instrumentation, physiological signal acquisition or maternal-neonatal technology is advantageous.
• Evidence of participatory design or clinical usability research is advantageous.

Position 3

• Professor: Biomechanics, Prosthetics/orthotics, Rehabilitation Engineering and Co-Design
• Theme 2: Assistive, Rehabilitation and Connected Care Technologies
• Reference Number: 30002775
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Reporting Line: Director: DUT Health Devices Innovation Institute
• Theme-specific expertise
• Biomechanics, prosthetics/orthotics, rehabilitation engineering and co-design

Minimum requirements

• A relevant doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in Biomedical Engineering, Rehabilitation Engineering, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Human Factors Engineering, Biomechanics or a closely related field.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated leadership in the relevant scholarly field.
• A substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, with recognised standing in the field.
• A minimum of ten DHET-accredited research outputs or recognised creative/innovation outputs during the preceding three years, relevant to the field.
• Evidence of substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• A sustained record of high-quality, cited research; competitive grant awards; international recognition; and leadership of substantial interdisciplinary programmes or teams in assistive technologies, rehabilitation devices or rehabilitation engineering.
• Evidence of excellent teaching, postgraduate mentorship, curriculum contribution and academic citizenship appropriate to appointment at Full Professor level.
• Evidence of inclusive, human-centred co-design methodology and user-centred device evaluation.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

Research Leadership

• Lead research on affordable, customisable and repairable assistive and rehabilitation technologies.
• Develop and lead a high-quality research programme covering prosthetics, orthotics, mobility aids, rehabilitation devices, telerehabilitation, wearable sensors and remote monitoring.
• Establish and direct a living-lab model linking users, caregivers, rehabilitation professionals, engineers, designers and community organisations.
• Champion inclusive, human-centred and participatory co-design throughout the device lifecycle, ensuring technologies are usable, repairable and affordable in local settings.
• Advance evidence on fit, comfort, function, adherence, durability, repairability and total cost of ownership.
• Drive peer-reviewed outputs, inclusive usability protocols, datasets and intellectual property in the area of assistive and rehabilitation technology.
• Postgraduate Supervision and Teaching
• Lead high-value grants, international collaborations, postgraduate supervision and researcher development.
• Supervise doctoral and master's students across Theme 2 research streams with a commitment to timely completions.
• Mentor junior researchers, postdoctoral fellows and research associates within the Institute.

Partnership and Funding

• Translate research into validated technologies, open or commercial pathways, clinical guidance and measurable community benefit.
• Build and manage formal partnerships with rehabilitation services, disability organisations, community health networks, fabrication partners and technology companies.
• Lead or co-lead competitive grant applications, contracted research and commissioned projects to sustain and grow Theme 2.
• Represent the Institute in relevant national and international professional bodies, standards processes and policy forums on assistive technology.

Governance and Compliance

• Implement the Institute's stage-gate framework for Theme 2 projects, including ethics, design controls, risk management and documentation standards.
• Maintain repairability, durability and total-cost-of-ownership benchmarks across Theme 2 device programmes.
• Report on Theme 2 performance and contribute to Institute-wide quality assurance and audit readiness.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or demonstrated equivalent international standing is strongly advantageous.
• Experience with digital fabrication, device personalisation or real-world rehabilitation trials is advantageous.

Position 4

• Associate Professor: Wearables, Remote Monitoring, Digital Health, AI and Cybersecurity
• Theme 2: Assistive, Rehabilitation and Connected Care Technologies
• Reference Number: 30002776
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Reporting Line: Director: DUT Health Devices Innovation Institute
• Theme-specific expertise
• Wearables, remote monitoring, digital health, AI and cybersecurity

Minimum requirements

• A relevant doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Data Science, Health Informatics or a closely related field.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated engagement in the relevant scholarly field.
• A significant period of sustained academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, with demonstrable expertise in wearable sensors, physiological signal processing, remote monitoring, digital health or health AI.
• A minimum of seven DHET-accredited research outputs or recognised creative/innovation outputs during the preceding three years.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Evidence of research quality through appropriate bibliometrics, grant awards, academic leadership, very good teaching and meaningful disciplinary or community engagement.
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading or contributing to multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading or contributing to multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

Research

• Develop and validate wearables and remote-monitoring technologies for chronic disease, recovery, rehabilitation, maternal care or community health.
• Research signal quality, clinically meaningful alerts, algorithm performance, bias, interoperability, secure updates, privacy and responsible decision support.
• Co-design field studies that test acceptability, workflow fit, adherence and continuity of care across facility, community and home settings.
• Attract research funding, publish high-quality peer-reviewed outputs and contribute to intellectual property and translational evidence generation.
• Contribute to institute-wide data governance, cybersecurity and connected-device evaluation frameworks.
• Postgraduate Supervision and Teaching
• Supervise and progressively lead doctoral and master's-level research projects within Theme 2.
• Mentor junior researchers, postdoctoral fellows and research associates within the Institute.

Partnership and Funding

• Build partnerships with clinical, technology, community and industry stakeholders for connected-care research.
• Lead or co-lead competitive grant applications and contracted research to sustain and grow the connected care programme.
• Participate in relevant professional forums and standards processes relating to digital health and medical device interoperability.

Governance and Compliance

• Implement Institute stage-gate governance for connected-care projects, including ethics approvals, privacy impact assessments and design-control documentation.
• Report on research performance and contribute to quality assurance and audit readiness across the Institute.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Working knowledge of data privacy, cybersecurity and responsible AI in health contexts is advantageous.
• Experience validating algorithms or sensors against appropriate clinical reference standards is advantageous.
• Evidence of multidisciplinary digital-health or connected-device research is advantageous.

Position 5

• Associate Professor: Regulatory Science, Quality Systems, HTA and Implementation
• Theme 3: MedTech Translation, Local Manufacturing and Health-System Adoption
• Reference Number: 30002777
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Reporting Line: Director: DUT Health Devices Innovation Institute
• Theme-specific expertise
• Regulatory science, quality systems, HTA and implementation

Minimum requirements

• A relevant doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in Regulatory Science, Quality Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Health Technology Assessment, Health Economics, Implementation Science or a closely related field.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated engagement in the relevant scholarly field.
• A significant period of sustained academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, with demonstrable expertise in medical device regulation, quality management, health-technology assessment or implementation science.
• A minimum of seven DHET-accredited research outputs or recognised creative/innovation outputs during the preceding three years.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Evidence of research quality through appropriate bibliometrics, grant awards, academic leadership, very good teaching and meaningful disciplinary or community engagement.

Key responsibilities

Research

• Lead research on device classification, intended use, design controls, risk management, technical documentation and regulatory-readiness pathways.
• Develop health-technology assessments addressing clinical benefit, cost-effectiveness, budget impact, ethics, equity and comparative value.
• Study procurement, workflow integration, training, change management, maintenance, adoption, scale-up and post-market learning.
• Develop reusable readiness assessments, stage-gate templates and evidence frameworks for Institute programmes.
• Publish high-quality peer-reviewed outputs, attract research funding and supervise postgraduate research.
• Postgraduate Supervision and Teaching
• Supervise and progressively lead doctoral and master's-level research projects within Theme 3.
• Contribute to postgraduate teaching in regulatory science, health economics, implementation science or quality engineering within DUT faculties.
• Mentor junior researchers and postdoctoral fellows within the Institute.

Partnership and Funding

• Engage regulators, health services, standards bodies, industry and policy actors to support translation and adoption research without compromising independent decision-making.
• Lead or co-lead competitive grant applications, contracted research and commissioned projects focused on MedTech translation and localisation.
• Represent the Institute in national regulatory dialogue, standards development and health-system policy forums.

Governance and Compliance

• Implement Institute stage-gate governance for Theme 3 projects, including design-control documentation, risk management and regulatory strategy.
• Maintain technology-readiness and regulatory-readiness assessment tools for use across all Institute programmes.
• Contribute to Institute-wide governance, quality assurance and audit readiness.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Working knowledge of South African and/or international medical device regulatory frameworks (SAHPRA, ISO 13485, ISO 14971 or equivalent) is advantageous.
• Demonstrated HTA, health-economics or implementation-research capability is advantageous.
• Experience supporting a device through regulatory, procurement or health-system adoption processes is advantageous.

Position 6

• Senior Lecturer: Design for Manufacture, Local Production and Lifecycle Engineering
• Theme 3: MedTech Translation, Local Manufacturing and Health-System Adoption
• Reference Number: 30002779
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Reporting Line: Director: DUT Health Devices Innovation Institute
• Theme-specific expertise
• Design for manufacture, local production and lifecycle engineering

Minimum requirements

• A relevant doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Electronics Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or a closely related field.
• A developing record of research and/or academic leadership in the relevant scholarly field.
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• At least three DHET-accredited research outputs or recognised creative/innovation outputs during the preceding three years.
• Evidence of participation in supervision of Master's students.
• Evidence of excellent teaching, innovative assessment or curriculum practice, effective academic advising and a developing independent research programme.
• Working knowledge of design-for-manufacture principles, quality-controlled manufacturing or regulated product development.

Key responsibilities

Research

• Conduct design-for-manufacture and design-for-assembly research for medical and assistive devices.
• Map and evaluate local materials, tooling, electronics, testing, calibration, packaging, sterilisation, supplier and service capabilities.
• Develop evidence on reliability, maintainability, calibration, repair, software/firmware updates, waste and circularity.
• Support stage-gated demonstrator programmes from prototype verification to manufacturing transfer and field support.
• Participate in the KZN MedTech Translation and Adoption Accelerator, supporting supplier mapping, stage-gated demonstrator programmes and manufacturing transfer.
• Pursue external funding through grants, industry contracts and collaborative research opportunities.
• Postgraduate Supervision and Teaching
• Co-supervise and progressively lead master's-level research projects within Theme 3.
• Publish research, supervise postgraduate candidates, contribute to teaching, build industry partnerships and support grant and innovation proposals.
• Support and mentor postgraduate students and junior researchers within the Institute.

Partnership and Engagement

• Engage with manufacturing companies, SMEs, technology stations, procurement agencies and health-system partners to support translation and local production research.
• Contribute to grant applications, commissioned research proposals and project deliverables within Theme 3.
• Participate in professional forums, policy engagements and community-of-practice activities relevant to MedTech manufacturing.

Administration and Governance

• Contribute to Institute stage-gate documentation, design-control records, ethics submissions and project reporting.
• Participate in performance review processes, technology-readiness assessment activities and Institute quality-assurance systems as required.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Experience in regulated product development or quality-controlled manufacturing is advantageous.
• Knowledge of supplier qualification, verification testing, reliability or production economics is advantageous.
• Application Information applies to all six positions:

Application requirements

• A fully completed prescribed DUT application-for-employment form obtainable from www.dut.ac.za under QUICK LINKS — Careers.
• A detailed curriculum vitae explicitly addressing the relevant field, rank requirements and thematic focus.
• A covering letter.
• Copies of all relevant academic records and certificates.
• A copy of an identity document and Matric certificate.
• Current contact information for referees.

Closing Date 02 October 2026

go to method of application »

Position purpose

• The appointee will provide senior intellectual leadership in renewable hydrogen production, with particular strength in electrolysis and integrated operation under African and coastal conditions.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Chemical Engineering, Electrochemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Energy Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Systems Engineering, or a qualification closely related to the theme.
• A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Evidence of substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment recognised standing in the field.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in green hydrogen production.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Applicants must demonstrate a coherent record in several of the following areas, with clear depth in at least one: Electrolysis catalysts, membranes, electrodes, coatings, bipolar plates, seals or scarce-material reduction;
• Dynamic electrolyser operation, degradation, diagnostics, predictive maintenance and renewable intermittency; Water--hydrogen systems using responsible sources, including treatment, wastewater reuse, desalination, recovery and competing-use assessment; Renewable/grid integration, power electronics, controls, balance-of-plant, thermal integration or digital twins; Techno-economic optimisation and lifecycle-carbon assessment for hydrogen production and scale-up.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an internationally visible research programme in Green Hydrogen Production and Renewable-System Integration.
• Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and pursue appropriate intellectual-property, technology-transfer and innovation outputs.
• Supervise Master's and Doctoral candidates to completion and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.
• Contribute to postgraduate curriculum development, specialist short courses, teaching and assessment in relevant academic programmes.
• Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner projects with clear deliverables.
• Build productive collaborations with DUT faculties, national hydrogen institutions, government, industry, communities and international partners.
• Apply safety-by-design, research ethics, responsible data management, lifecycle integrity and applicable codes and standards.
• Contribute to institute planning, laboratories, shared research platforms, seminars, reporting, engagement and administrative responsibilities.
• Translate research into demonstrators, test methods, policy or standards evidence, skills, local-enterprise opportunities and measurable societal impact.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating, or equivalent recognised international research standing.
• Professional registration where relevant to the discipline and scope of work.
• Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale systems, research infrastructure, safety governance and industry-facing demonstrators.
• A record of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional or international collaboration.
• Strong communication, organisational, mentoring and stakeholder-engagement capability.

Position 2

• Professor: Biohydrogen Production
• Theme 2: Biohydrogen Production
• Reference Number: 30002758
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will provide senior intellectual leadership in Direct Biophotolysis, Indirect Biophotolysis, Dark Fermentation, Photo-Fermentation and Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MECs)

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Biotechnology, Fermentation Science, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a qualification closely related to the theme.
• A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Evidence of substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in biohydrogen production.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Applicants must demonstrate a coherent record in several of the following areas, with clear depth in at least one: Use of green algae or cyanobacteria to split water molecules directly into hydrogen and oxygen;
• Indirect hydrogen evolution after a photosynthetic first step; Breakdown of carbohydrate-rich organic matter or food and agricultural waste in the complete absence of light to generate hydrogen; Consumption of organic acids by photosynthetic bacteria in the presence of visible light to produce hydrogen; Formation of hydrogen gas efficiently after microbial oxidation of organic waste at an anode.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an internationally visible research programme in biohydrogen production.
• Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and pursue appropriate intellectual-property, technology-transfer and innovation outputs.
• Supervise Master's and Doctoral candidates to completion and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.
• Contribute to postgraduate curriculum development, specialist short courses, teaching and assessment in relevant academic programmes.
• Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner projects with clear deliverables.
• Build productive collaborations with DUT faculties, national hydrogen institutions, government, industry, communities and international partners.
• Apply safety-by-design, research ethics, responsible data management, lifecycle integrity and applicable codes and standards.
• Contribute to institute planning, laboratories, shared research platforms, seminars, reporting, engagement and administrative responsibilities.
• Translate research into demonstrators, test methods, policy or standards evidence, skills, local-enterprise opportunities and measurable societal impact.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating, or equivalent recognised international research standing.
• Professional registration where relevant to the discipline and scope of work.
• Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale systems, research infrastructure, safety governance and industry-facing demonstrators.
• A record of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional or international collaboration.
• Strong communication, organisational, mentoring and stakeholder-engagement capability. -

Position 3

• Associate Professor: Hydrogen Storage, Fuel Cells and Distributed Power
• Theme 3: Hydrogen Storage, Fuel Cells and Distributed Power
• Reference Number: 30002759
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will provide senior intellectual leadership in safe hydrogen storage and conversion technologies and their integration into mobility, port, critical-facility and distributed-power systems.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Electrochemical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Energy Engineering, or a qualification closely related to the theme.
• A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students
• A significant period of sustained academic experience of academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in hydrogen storage, fuel cells and distributed power.
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Applicants must demonstrate a coherent record in several of the following areas, with clear depth in at least one: Compressed-hydrogen vessels, metal hydrides, sorbents, materials compatibility, cycling, embrittlement and structural integrity; Hydrogen carriers such as ammonia, including conversion, handling, logistics, traceability and comparative assessment;
• Fuel-cell catalysts, membranes, electrodes, bipolar plates, stacks, thermal/water management, durability and recycling; Fuel-cell/battery/renewable hybrid systems, microgrids, black start, resilience, controls and remote operation; Hydrogen safety, leak sensing, ventilation, ignition prevention, hazard and risk modelling, condition monitoring or emergency response.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an internationally visible research programme in Hydrogen Storage, Fuel Cells and Distributed Power.
• Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and pursue appropriate intellectual-property, technology-transfer and innovation outputs.
• Supervise Master's and Doctoral candidates to completion and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.
• Contribute to postgraduate curriculum development, specialist short courses, teaching and assessment in relevant academic programmes.
• Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner projects with clear deliverables.
• Build productive collaborations with DUT faculties, national hydrogen institutions, government, industry, communities and international partners.
• Apply safety-by-design, research ethics, responsible data management, lifecycle integrity and applicable codes and standards.
• Contribute to institute planning, laboratories, shared research platforms, seminars, reporting, engagement and administrative responsibilities.
• Translate research into demonstrators, test methods, policy or standards evidence, skills, local-enterprise opportunities and measurable societal impact.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating, or equivalent recognised international research standing.
• Professional registration where relevant to the discipline and scope of work.
• Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale systems, research infrastructure, safety governance and industry-facing demonstrators.
• A record of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional or international collaboration.
• Strong communication, organisational, mentoring and stakeholder-engagement capability.

Position 4

• Associate Professor: Electrolyser Systems, Water-Hydrogen Nexus and Digital Optimisation
• Themes 1 & 3: Green Hydrogen Production and Hydrogen Storage, Fuel Cells and Distributed Power
• Reference Number: 30002760
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will build a translational research programme connecting electrolyser performance with water quality, renewable supply, balance-of-plant, controls and digital optimisation.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Chemical Engineering, Water Engineering, Electrochemical Engineering, Process Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Data/Computational Engineering, or a qualification closely related to the theme.
• A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students
• A significant period of sustained academic experience of academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in electrolyser systems, water-hydrogen nexus and digital optimisation.
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Applicants must demonstrate a coherent record in several of the following areas, with clear depth in at least one: Experimental evaluation of electrolyser performance under variable renewable profiles and realistic impurities;
• Water-quality, purification, wastewater-reuse, desalination, recovery or brine-management requirements for electrolysis; Balance-of-plant design, compression, drying, purification, sensors, heat recovery and system optimisation; Digital twins, model-predictive control, uncertainty analysis, techno-economics and lifecycle emissions; Design and operation of modular laboratory or pilot platforms with credible measurement and validation protocols.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an internationally visible research programme in Green Hydrogen Production and Renewable-System Integration.
• Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and pursue appropriate intellectual-property, technology-transfer and innovation outputs.
• Supervise Master's and Doctoral candidates to completion and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.
• Contribute to postgraduate curriculum development, specialist short courses, teaching and assessment in relevant academic programmes.
• Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner projects with clear deliverables.
• Build productive collaborations with DUT faculties, national hydrogen institutions, government, industry, communities and international partners.
• Apply safety-by-design, research ethics, responsible data management, lifecycle integrity and applicable codes and standards.
• Contribute to institute planning, laboratories, shared research platforms, seminars, reporting, engagement and administrative responsibilities.
• Translate research into demonstrators, test methods, policy or standards evidence, skills, local-enterprise opportunities and measurable societal impact.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating, or equivalent recognised international research standing.
• Professional registration where relevant to the discipline and scope of work.
• Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale systems, research infrastructure, safety governance and industry-facing demonstrators.
• A record of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional or international collaboration.
• Strong communication, organisational, mentoring and stakeholder-engagement capability. -

Position 5

• Senior Lecturer: Green Hydrogen Production
• Theme 1: Green Hydrogen Production
• Reference Number: 30002761
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT
• Position purpose
• The appointee will develop a research programme in renewable hydrogen production, with particular strength in electrolysis and integrated operation under African and coastal conditions.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering/Science, Electrochemical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Process Systems Engineering, or a qualification closely related to the theme.
• A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.
• Evidence of participation in supervision of Master's students
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience of academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in electrolyser systems, water-hydrogen nexus and digital optimisation.
• Evidence of participation in grant writing.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Applicants must demonstrate a coherent record in several of the following areas, with clear depth in at least one: Electrolysis catalysts, membranes, electrodes, coatings, bipolar plates, seals or scarce-material reduction;
• Dynamic electrolyser operation, degradation, diagnostics, predictive maintenance and renewable intermittency; Water--hydrogen systems using responsible sources, including treatment, wastewater reuse, desalination, recovery and competing-use assessment; Renewable/grid integration, power electronics, controls, balance-of-plant, thermal integration or digital twins; Techno-economic optimisation and lifecycle-carbon assessment for hydrogen production and scale-up.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an internationally visible research programme in Green Hydrogen Production and Renewable-System Integration.
• Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and pursue appropriate intellectual-property, technology-transfer and innovation outputs.
• Supervise Master's and Doctoral candidates to completion and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.
• Contribute to postgraduate curriculum development, specialist short courses, teaching and assessment in relevant academic programmes.
• Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner projects with clear deliverables.
• Build productive collaborations with DUT faculties, national hydrogen institutions, government, industry, communities and international partners.
• Apply safety-by-design, research ethics, responsible data management, lifecycle integrity and applicable codes and standards.
• Contribute to institute planning, laboratories, shared research platforms, seminars, reporting, engagement and administrative responsibilities.
• Translate research into demonstrators, test methods, policy or standards evidence, skills, local-enterprise opportunities and measurable societal impact.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating, or equivalent recognised international research standing.
• Professional registration where relevant to the discipline and scope of work.
• Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale systems, research infrastructure, safety governance and industry-facing demonstrators.
• A record of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional or international collaboration.
• Strong communication, organisational, mentoring and stakeholder-engagement capability.

Position 6

• Senior Lecturer: Biohydrogen Production
• Theme 2: Biohydrogen Production
• Reference Number: 30002762
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will provide senior intellectual leadership in Direct Biophotolysis, Indirect Biophotolysis, Dark Fermentation, Photo-Fermentation and Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MECs).

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Biotechnology, Fermentation Science, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a qualification closely related to the theme.
• A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.
• Evidence of participation in supervision of Master's students
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience of academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in biohydrogen production.
• Evidence of participation in grant writing.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations.

Theme-specific expertise

• Applicants must demonstrate a coherent record in several of the following areas, with clear depth in at least one: Use of green algae or cyanobacteria to split water molecules directly into hydrogen and oxygen;
• Indirect hydrogen evolution after a photosynthetic first step; Breakdown of carbohydrate-rich organic matter or food and agricultural waste in the complete absence of light to generate hydrogen;
• Consumption of organic acids by photosynthetic bacteria in the presence of visible light to produce hydrogen; Formation of hydrogen gas efficiently after microbial oxidation of organic waste at an anode.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an internationally visible research programme in Biohydrogen Production.
• Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and pursue appropriate intellectual-property, technology-transfer and innovation outputs.
• Supervise Master's and Doctoral candidates to completion and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.
• Contribute to postgraduate curriculum development, specialist short courses, teaching and assessment in relevant academic programmes.
• Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner projects with clear deliverables.
• Build productive collaborations with DUT faculties, national hydrogen institutions, government, industry, communities and international partners.
• Apply safety-by-design, research ethics, responsible data management, lifecycle integrity and applicable codes and standards.
• Contribute to institute planning, laboratories, shared research platforms, seminars, reporting, engagement and administrative responsibilities.
• Translate research into demonstrators, test methods, policy or standards evidence, skills, local-enterprise opportunities and measurable societal impact.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating, or demonstrable potential to obtain an NRF rating, commensurate with the level of appointment.
• Professional registration where relevant to the discipline and scope of work.
• Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale systems, research infrastructure, safety governance and industry-facing demonstrators.
• A record of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional or international collaboration.
• Strong communication, organisational, mentoring and stakeholder-engagement capability.

Application Information applies to all six positions:

Application requirements

• A fully completed prescribed DUT application for employment form, obtainable from www.dut.ac.za under Quick Links / Careers.
• A detailed curriculum vitae explicitly demonstrating how the applicant meets the rank and theme-specific requirements.
• A covering letter identifying the exact position, rank and research theme applied for.
• Copies of all relevant academic records and certificates.
• A copy of an identity document or passport, and current contact details for referees.

Closing Date 02 October 2026

go to method of application »

Position 1

• Associate Professor: Sustainable Protein Innovation from Indigenous Foods
• Theme 1: Sustainable Protein Innovation from Indigenous Foods
• Reference Number: 30002802
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will lead a defined research stream on biotechnology, fermentation technology and bioprocessing for sustainable protein production and fermented products, complementing the Theme Leader agenda and extending the protein platform into biotechnological and fermentation-based protein research.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Biotechnology, Fermentation Technology, Bioprocess or Biochemical Engineering, or Microbiology, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated leadership in biotechnology, fermentation and bioprocessing research.
• A significant period of sustained academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead a defined research stream within Theme 1: biotechnology, fermentation technology and bioprocessing for sustainable protein production including microbial and precision fermentation, enzyme and biocatalysis technology, complementing and advancing the Theme Leader's strategic agenda.
• Co-develop grant, contract and commissioned-research applications and contribute to securing competitive funding for the theme.
• Produce high-quality peer-reviewed outputs and supervise Doctoral and Master's students to timely completion.
• Co-supervise and mentor early-career researchers and the Senior Lecturer, and deputise for the Theme Leader when required.
• Build and strengthen research collaborations and partnerships and ensure adherence to IFRi's stage-gate governance and ethics requirements.  

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or equivalent recognised research standing (particularly for Professor and Associate Professor appointments).
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, community-engaged or place-based research, and an ability to work across scientific and indigenous knowledge systems.
• Experience of research ethics, or indigenous knowledge governance, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity or food-regulatory requirements relevant to the portfolio.
• Evidence of international, African and/or industry, government, civil-society or community research networks.

Position 2

• Professor (Theme Leader): Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition
• Theme 2: Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition
• Reference Number: 30002799
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will provide senior intellectual and strategic leadership in the development of processing technologies and market-ready products from indigenous foods, bridging laboratory science and industrial scale-up through the pilot processing facility and commercialisation pipeline.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Food Technology, Food Processing/Engineering, or Food Science, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated leadership in indigenous-food processing, product innovation and value-addition research.
• A substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, with recognised standing in the field.
• A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Evidence of a substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Provide overall academic and strategic leadership for Theme 2 — Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition, setting its research direction and leading its flagship programme, the Indigenous Foods Pilot Processing and Product Innovation Plant.
• Build, grow and sustain a high-quality, externally funded research programme, leading major grant, contract and philanthropic funding applications for the theme.
• Drive high-impact peer-reviewed publications, postgraduate completions (Master's and Doctoral) and innovation/IP outputs across the theme.
• Establish and lead national and international research collaborations and industry, community and policy partnerships, and represent IFRi in relevant professional and policy forums.
• Mentor academic staff, postdoctoral fellows and students, and ensure all theme research proceeds through IFRi's stage-gate governance, ethics and quality-assurance framework.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or equivalent recognised research standing (particularly for Professor and Associate Professor appointments).
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, community-engaged or place-based research, and an ability to work across scientific or indigenous knowledge systems.
• Experience of research ethics, indigenous knowledge governance, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity or food-regulatory requirements relevant to the portfolio.
• Evidence of international, African and/or industry, government, civil-society or community research networks.

Position 3

• Associate Professor: Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition
• Theme 2: Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition
• Reference Number: 30002803
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will lead a defined research stream on processing-technology development and product formulation for indigenous foods, complementing the Theme Leader's agenda and advancing flagship products through spin-off pipeline.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Food Technology/Food Processing/Engineering, or Food Science, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated leadership in indigenous-food processing, product innovation and value-addition research.
• A significant period of sustained academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead a defined research stream within Theme 2: processing-technology development (milling, extrusion, drying and fermentation) and the design of nutritious, convenient and shelf-stable indigenous-food products, complementing and advancing the Theme Leader's strategic agenda.
• Co-develop grant, contract and commissioned-research applications and contribute to securing competitive funding for the theme.
• Produce high-quality peer-reviewed outputs and supervise Doctoral and Master's students to timely completion.
• Co-supervise and mentor early-career researchers and the Senior Lecturer, and deputise for the Theme Leader when required.
• Build and strengthen research collaborations and partnerships and ensure adherence to IFRi's stage-gate governance and ethics requirements.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or equivalent recognised research standing (particularly for Professor and Associate Professor appointments).
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, community-engaged or place-based research, and an ability to work across scientific or indigenous knowledge systems.
• Experience of research ethics, indigenous knowledge governance, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity or food-regulatory requirements relevant to the portfolio.
• Evidence of international, African and/or industry, government, civil-society or community research networks.

Position 4

• Senior Lecturer: Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition
• Theme 2: Food Processing, Product Innovation and Value Addition
• Reference Number: 30002804
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will build an emerging research portfolio in indigenous-food product development, sensory and consumer science, deliver defined project tasks within the pilot processing plant, and contribute to teaching in food processing and food technology.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Food Technology, Food Science or Food Processing, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A record of research and/or academic leadership in indigenous-food product development, sensory and consumer science.
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.
• Evidence of participation in the supervision of Master's students.
• Evidence of participation in grant writing.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Contribute to Theme 3 research by delivering defined project tasks and building an emerging independent research portfolio in indigenous-food product development, sensory and consumer science.
• Undertake postgraduate and undergraduate teaching and curriculum delivery within relevant DUT programmes.
• Supervise Master's students and co-supervise Doctoral students within the theme.
• Participate in grant writing and in the multidisciplinary collaborations led by the Theme Leader and Associate Professor.
• Support laboratory and/or field operations, data management, and compliance with IFRi's stage-gate governance and ethics requirements.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Progress towards an NRF rating or equivalent emerging-researcher recognition.
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, community-engaged or place-based research, and a willingness to work across scientific or indigenous knowledge systems.
• Awareness of research ethics, indigenous knowledge governance, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity or food-regulatory requirements relevant to the portfolio.
• Emerging participation in international, African and/or industry, government, civil-society or community research networks.

Position 5

• Professor (Theme Leader): Nutrition, Safety, Health and Food-as-Medicine of Indigenous Foods
• Theme 3: Nutrition, Safety, Health and Food-as-Medicine of Indigenous Foods
• Reference Number: 30002801
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will provide senior intellectual and strategic leadership in the nutritional, micronutrient and bioactive characterisation of priority indigenous foods and their mechanisms of health benefit, building a "Food is Medicine" platform that translates evidence into dietary guidance and non-communicable-disease prevention with relevant organisation and NGO's.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Nutrition, or Dietetics/ Food Science or Public-Health Nutrition, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership, with demonstrated leadership in food nutrition, bioactives or public-health-nutrition research.
• A substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, with recognised standing in the field.
• A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Evidence of a substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Provide overall academic and strategic leadership for Theme 3 — Nutrition, Safety, Health and Food-as-Medicine of Indigenous Foods — setting its research direction and leading its flagship programme, the Indigenous Foods Nutrition and Food-as-Medicine Observatory.
• Build, grow and sustain a high-quality, externally funded research programme, leading major grant, contract and philanthropic funding applications for the theme.
• Drive high-impact peer-reviewed publications, postgraduate completions (Master's and Doctoral) and innovation/IP outputs across the theme.
• Establish and lead national and international research collaborations and industry, community and policy partnerships, and represent IFRi in relevant professional and policy forums.
• Mentor academic staff, postdoctoral fellows and students, and ensure all theme research proceeds through IFRi's stage-gate governance, ethics and quality-assurance framework.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• An NRF rating or equivalent recognised research standing (particularly for Professor and Associate Professor appointments).
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, community-engaged or place-based research, and an ability to work across scientific or indigenous knowledge systems.
• Experience of research ethics, indigenous knowledge governance, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity or food-regulatory requirements relevant to the portfolio.
• Evidence of international, African and/or industry, government, civil-society or community research networks.

Position 6

• Senior Lecturer: Nutrition, Safety, Health and Food-as-Medicine of Indigenous Foods
• Theme 3: Nutrition, Safety, Health and Food-as-Medicine of Indigenous Foods
• Reference Number: 30002805
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Position purpose

• The appointee will build an emerging research portfolio in food safety, nutrition and community/clinical dietary studies for non-communicable-disease prevention, deliver defined project tasks within the theme programme, and contribute to teaching in nutrition and dietetics.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Nutrition/Dietetics/Food science, or a closely related qualification to the theme.
• A record of research and/or academic leadership in indigenous-food nutrition and community dietary studies.
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.
• Evidence of participation in the supervision of Master's students.
• Evidence of participation in grant writing.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Contribute to Theme 2 research by delivering defined project tasks and building an emerging independent research portfolio in indigenous-food nutrition and community dietary studies.
• Undertake postgraduate and undergraduate teaching and curriculum delivery within relevant DUT programmes.
• Supervise Master's students and co-supervise Doctoral students within the theme.
• Participate in grant writing and in the multidisciplinary collaborations led by the Theme Leader and Associate Professor.
• Support laboratory and/or field operations, data management, and compliance with IFRi's stage-gate governance and ethics requirements.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Progress towards an NRF rating or equivalent emerging-researcher recognition.
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, community-engaged or place-based research, and a willingness to work across scientific and indigenous knowledge systems.
• Awareness of research ethics, indigenous knowledge governance, access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity or food-regulatory requirements relevant to the portfolio.
• Emerging participation in international, African and/or industry, government, civil-society or community research networks.
• Application Information applies to all six positions:

Application requirements

• A fully completed prescribed DUT application-for-employment form, obtainable from www.dut.ac.za under Quick Links / Careers.
• A detailed curriculum vitae explicitly demonstrating how the applicant meets the rank and theme-specific requirements.
• A covering letter identifying the exact position, rank and research theme applied for.
• Copies of all relevant academic records and certificates.
• A copy of an identity document or passport, and current contact details for referees.

 Closing Date 02 October 2026

go to method of application »

Position 1

• Professor: Compound Climate-Risk Modelling and Equitable Adaptation Planning in Coastal Urban Settlements
• Theme 1: Urban Planning and Governance: Climate Risk Science and Resilient Settlement Systems
• Reference Number: 30002791
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Theme-specific expertise

• The appointee will provide intellectual leadership on climate risk, spatial inequality and settlement transformation. The programme should integrate urban and regional planning, multi-hazard risk assessment, climate adaptation, infrastructure access, participatory governance, and spatial justice, with Durban and comparable African coastal cities serving as living laboratories.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in urban or regional planning, environmental engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership with a distinguished record of research leadership in climate risk, urban and regional planning, settlement transformation, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, spatial justice, or closely related fields.
• Substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, recognised standing in the field.
• A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Evidence of a substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Provide intellectual and strategic leadership in the development and delivery of a world-class research programme aligned with the Institute's thematic focus.
• Drive research excellence through the production of high-impact publications, innovations and other scholarly outputs.
• Attract substantial external funding and develop sustainable research portfolios and partnerships.
• Lead postgraduate education through supervision, mentorship and research capacity development.
• Foster multidisciplinary collaboration and build strong networks across government, industry, communities and academic institutions.
• Advance the translation of research into policy, practice, innovation and measurable societal impact.
• Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of research, funding, innovation, and engagement outcomes in line with the Institute's and University's performance indicators.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Proven experience in collaborating with municipalities, disaster-management agencies, communities and international partners to address climate risk, spatial inequality and settlement-resilience challenges.
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research programmes addressing complex urban challenges.
• NRF rating or equivalent recognised international research standing.

Position 2

• Professor: Reliability Engineering and Interdependency Modelling of Urban Infrastructure Networks
• Theme 2: Infrastructure Reliability Engineering and Systems Intelligence
• Reference Number: 30002792
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Theme-specific expertise

• The appointee will lead research on the reliability, equity, and climate resilience of interdependent urban systems, including water, sanitation, stormwater, roads, energy, and digital infrastructure. The programme must connect engineering evidence to lifecycle investment, municipal governance, service continuity and accountable decision-making.

Minimum requirements

• A relevant doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in Civil Engineering, Infrastructure Engineering, Urban Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Systems Engineering, Construction Management, Urban and Regional Planning (with a strong infrastructure focus), or a closely related discipline.
• A strong record of research and/or academic leadership with a distinguished record of research leadership in the planning, governance, resilience and management of interdependent urban infrastructure systems, including water, sanitation, transport, energy or digital infrastructure.
• Substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment, recognised standing in the field.
• A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Evidence of a substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students
• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations.

Key responsibilities

• Provide intellectual and strategic leadership in the development and delivery of a world-class research programme aligned with the Institute's thematic focus.
• Drive research excellence through the production of high-impact publications, innovations and other scholarly outputs.
• Attract substantial external funding and develop sustainable research portfolios and partnerships.
• Lead postgraduate education through supervision, mentorship and research capacity development.
• Foster multidisciplinary collaboration and build strong networks across government, industry, communities and academic institutions.
• Advance the translation of research into policy, practice, innovation and measurable societal impact.
• Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of research, funding, innovation, and engagement outcomes in line with the Institute's and University's performance indicators.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Proven experience in collaborating with municipalities, utilities, government departments, regulators, industry and other stakeholders to address infrastructure planning, service delivery, governance and resilience challenges.
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research programmes addressing complex urban challenges.
• NRF rating or equivalent recognised international research standing.

Position 3

• Associate Professor: Nature-Based Engineering and Resilience Modelling for Climate-Adaptive Settlement Systems
• Theme 1: Urban Planning and Governance: Climate Risk Science and Resilient Settlement Systems
• Reference Number: 30002793
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Theme-specific expertise

• The appointee will develop applied research on community-centred settlement upgrading and nature-based urban protection. The focus includes flood, landslide, and heat risks; drainage and safe access; wetlands and river corridors; locally maintainable interventions; early warning; co-design; and evaluation of liveability, health, and displacement outcomes.

Minimum requirements

• A relevant doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Engineering, Urban Engineering, Ecological Engineering, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Science, or a closely related discipline.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in nature-based engineering and resilience modelling for climate-adaptive settlement systems, including climate adaptation, ecosystem-based approaches, sustainable infrastructure, and urban resilience.
• A significant period of sustained academic experience of academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations

Key responsibilities

• Provide academic and research leadership in the development and implementation of a high-quality research programme aligned with the Institute's thematic focus.
• Contribute to research excellence through the production of high-impact publications, innovations and other scholarly outputs.
• Secure competitive external research funding and contribute to the growth of sustainable research partnerships and programmes.
• Supervise and mentor postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers, contributing to research capacity development.
• Foster multidisciplinary collaboration and build productive partnerships across government, industry, communities and academic institutions.
• Contribute to the translation of research into policy, practice, innovation and measurable societal impact.
• Support the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of research, funding, innovation and engagement activities in accordance with Institute and University performance objectives.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Proven experience collaborating with municipalities, communities, disaster-management agencies and ecological or engineering practitioners to implement nature-based and settlement-upgrading interventions.
• NRF rating or equivalent recognised international research standing.

Position 4

• Associate Professor: Freight-Network Flow Modelling and Port-City Spatial-Economic Systems
• Theme 3: Port-City Mobility Systems and Freight-Logistics Science
• Reference Number: 30002794
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Theme-specific expertise

• The appointee will develop applied research on the port-city as an integrated spatial-economic and network-flow system. The programme should combine land-use and economic-geography modelling of port expansion and buffer zones with network-flow and queueing models of truck staging, terminal access and rail-road-port integration, testing disruption-propagation and supply-chain resilience against measured freight-logistics and accessibility outcomes in the Durban port-city corridor.

Minimum requirements

• A relevant doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in Transport Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Operations Research, Urban and Regional Planning, Economic Geography, Transport Economics, Data Science, or a closely related discipline.
• A good record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in freight logistics, transport systems, port-city systems, network modelling, supply chain resilience, or related fields.
• A significant period of sustained academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.
• Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students
• Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).
• Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations

Key responsibilities

• Provide academic and research leadership in the development and implementation of a high-quality research programme aligned with the Institute's thematic focus.
• Contribute to research excellence through the production of high-impact publications, innovations and other scholarly outputs.
• Secure competitive external research funding and contribute to the growth of sustainable research partnerships and programmes.
• Supervise and mentor postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers, contributing to research capacity development.
• Foster multidisciplinary collaboration and build productive partnerships across government, industry, communities and academic institutions.
• Contribute to the translation of research into policy, practice, innovation and measurable societal impact.
• Support the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of research, funding, innovation and engagement activities in accordance with Institute and University performance objectives.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Experience working with port authorities, freight-industry data or supply-chain partners, and evidence of applied models, demonstrators, policy uptake or industry-funded research.
• NRF rating or equivalent recognised international research standing.

Position 5

• Senior Lecturer: Predictive Analytics for Infrastructure Asset Deterioration and Risk-Based Maintenance Prioritisation
• Theme 2: Infrastructure Reliability Engineering and Systems Intelligence
• Reference Number: 30002795
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Theme-specific expertise

• The appointee will build applied research in asset condition, predictive maintenance and evidence-based infrastructure prioritisation. The work should combine inspection, remote observation, sensing, geospatial data, and deterioration models with failure consequences, climate exposure, service equity, lifecycle costs, and municipal decision processes.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in Civil Engineering, Infrastructure Engineering, Asset Management, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Geomatics, Data Science, Computer Science, Operations Research, Infrastructure Management, or a closely related discipline.
• A record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated expertise in infrastructure asset management, predictive analytics, condition assessment, infrastructure deterioration modelling, reliability engineering, or risk-based maintenance planning.
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.
• Evidence of participation in the supervision of Master's students and a developing track record in postgraduate supervision.
• Evidence of participation in research grant applications, funded projects, or commissioned research.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary research teams and collaborations involving municipalities, government, industry, or academic partners. > Additional recommendations
• Experience working with municipal or utility asset registers, infrastructure-monitoring systems or decision-support platforms, and evidence of applied tools, innovation outputs or industry/municipal-funded research.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a research programme aligned with the Institute's thematic focus.
• Produce high-quality research and innovation outputs and pursue competitive research funding.
• Supervise postgraduate students and contribute to research capacity development.
• Build collaborative partnerships with government, industry, communities and academic institutions.
• Contribute to the translation of research into policy, practice, innovation and societal impact.
• Participate in multidisciplinary and cross-theme research initiatives.
• Report on research, postgraduate, funding, innovation and engagement outcomes against agreed targets.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Experience working with municipal or utility asset registers, infrastructure-monitoring systems or decision-support platforms, and evidence of applied tools, innovation outputs or industry/municipal-funded research.

Position 6

• Senior Lecturer: Accessibility Modelling and Equity Analytics in Public and Paratransit Mobility Systems
• Theme 3: Port-City Mobility Systems and Freight-Logistics Science
• Reference Number: 30002796
• Status of Position: Permanent
• Campus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUT

Theme-specific expertise

• The appointee will develop research on equitable passenger mobility, public and paratransit integration, universal access and mobility poverty. The programme should analyse the time, income, safety and accessibility costs of travel and test practical improvements in interchange design, operations, campus-to-city mobility and low-carbon movement.

Minimum requirements

• A doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in Transport Planning, Transport Engineering, Civil Engineering, Urban and Regional Planning, Geography, Urban Studies, Development Studies, Operations Research, Data Science, Economics, or a closely related discipline.
• A developing record of research and/or academic leadership with expertise in passenger mobility, public transport systems, paratransit systems, accessibility analysis, transport equity, mobility poverty, or related fields.
• An appropriate period of relevant academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.
• A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.
• Evidence of participation in the supervision of Master's students and a developing track record in postgraduate supervision.
• Evidence of participation in research grant applications, funded projects, or commissioned research.
• Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary research teams and collaborations involving municipalities, government, industry, or academic partners. > Additional recommendations
• Experience working with municipalities, public transport authorities or transport-equity data, and evidence of applied tools, policy influence or industry/community-funded research.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a research programme aligned with the Institute's thematic focus.
• Produce high-quality research and innovation outputs and pursue competitive research funding.
• Supervise postgraduate students and contribute to research capacity development.
• Build collaborative partnerships with government, industry, communities and academic institutions.
• Contribute to the translation of research into policy, practice, innovation and societal impact.
• Participate in multidisciplinary and cross-theme research initiatives.
• Report on research, postgraduate, funding, innovation and engagement outcomes against agreed targets.

Ideal / additional recommendations

• Experience working with municipalities, public transport authorities or transport-equity data, and evidence of applied tools, policy influence or industry/community-funded research.

Application Information applies to all six positions:

Application requirements

• A fully completed prescribed DUT application-for-employment form, obtainable from the DUT website under Quick Links Careers.
• A detailed curriculum vitae explicitly addressing the minimum and speciality requirements of the selected post.
• A covering letter identifying one position title and reference number. Candidates applying for more than one position should submit a separate application for each.
• Copies of relevant academic records, qualifications and identity document, as required by the official application process.
• Current contact information for referees.
• A publication list for the preceding three years, evidence of completed postgraduate supervision, a bibliometric profile, a grant record and a concise research plan aligned to the advertised theme.

Closing Date 02 October 2026

go to method of application »

Purpose of the Role

• To provide high-level, confidential executive and administrative support to the Chief Financial Officer by coordinating financial governance workflows, managing executive communications and documentation, ensuring compliance with financial reporting and audit requirements, and facilitating the timely implementation and tracking of finance-related decisions across the institution.
• The role exercises independent judgement in prioritising finance and governance matters, coordinating cross-functional financial inputs, supporting audit and reporting cycles, and ensuring alignment with institutional policies, regulatory requirements and financial governance frameworks.

Qualifications

Minimum

• Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in either Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance Administration, Governance or related field.

Ideal / Advantageous

• Advanced Minute-Taking Certification.
• Project Management short course.
• Records Management certification.

Experience

Minimum

• Minimum 5 years administrative or executive support experience.
• At least 3 years supporting senior management.

Ideal / Advantageous

• Experience in higher education or finance environment advantageous.
• Experience supporting audit, budgeting or financial reporting cycles.

NOTE TO APPLICANT

• Applicants must demonstrate knowledge and technical competencies in the following areas.
• Please provide evidence of this in your Curriculum Vitae: - 

Minimum

• Advanced executive administration and secretarial practice.
• Knowledge of governance and financial administration.
• Strong drafting, report writing and communication skills.
• MS Office and virtual meeting platform proficiency.
• Discretion and sound judgement in handling confidential financial matters.
• Strong working knowledge of POPIA.
• Understanding of governance protocols and financial compliance requirements.
• Governance structures and institutional processes.
• POPIA compliance requirements.
• Financial reporting cycles and governance documentation standards.
• Electronic document management systems.
• Advanced MS Office.

Ideal / Advantageous

• Exposure to finance governance, audit and reporting environments.
• Knowledge of institutional financial policies and compliance requirements.
• Strong coordination across finance units and stakeholders.
• Advanced record-keeping and document control capability.
• Ability to liaise confidently at executive and audit levels.
• Knowledge of PFMA / financial governance frameworks (where applicable).
• Audit and compliance exposure.
• Financial governance and reporting knowledge.
• Institutional policy and procedure knowledge.

Special Requirements

• Willingness to work after hours during audit cycles, budget preparation, governance meetings and reporting deadlines.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive financial, governance and executive information.
• High-level professionalism in representing the Office of the CFO.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Provide high-level executive and administrative support to the CFO, including managing a complex diary, priorities, correspondence and executive workflows.
• Screen, assess and quality-assure reports, submissions and requests for accuracy, compliance, urgency, financial implications and risk prior to CFO review.
• Draft executive correspondence, briefing notes, reports, presentations and structured briefing packs for the CFO.
• Coordinate governance documentation and submissions for Council, Executive Committees, Finance Committee, Audit & Risk Committee and other relevant governance structures.
• Monitor governance deadlines, CFO decisions, resolutions, audit actions and other portfolio deliverables to ensure timely implementation and follow-through.
• Coordinate and consolidate financial and other inputs from Finance divisions, faculties, support units, auditors and external stakeholders into executive-ready information.
• Support financial administration and procurement activities within the Office of the CFO, including requisitions, payments, expenditure monitoring, reconciliations and related reporting.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and audit-ready executive, financial and governance records, ensuring appropriate document control, information security and POPIA compliance.
• Act as a central liaison for the Office of the CFO, managing stakeholder engagements professionally and escalating high-risk, financially sensitive, compliance or reputational matters appropriately.
• Coordinate the operational requirements of the Office of the CFO, including meetings, governance sessions, travel, office workflows, systems and service providers

Applications should include:

• A fully completed prescribed application form which can be obtained from www.dut.ac.za (under the QUICK LINKS tab - @careers).
• A detailed curriculum vitae (explicitly stating experience or knowledge in the above-mentioned fields).
• Covering letter.
• Certified copies of all academic records and certificates.
• Current contact information of referees.
• No manual applications will be accepted and incomplete applications will be disregarded.
• Please email application to [email protected] and quote the post reference and post description in the subject line.

Closing Date 25 September 2026

go to method of application »

Minimum Requirements:

• Honours Degree in Financial Accounting, investment management or any other relevant qualification (NQF Level 8).
• 6 to 8 years’ experience within a treasury environment of which 3 years should have been in a management role.
• Knowledge of relevant legislative requirements
• Understanding of the Higher Education environment
• Sound knowledge of the business environment, the relevant role players within the business and their key responsibilities and outcomes
• Sound knowledge of the current and future practices in the business area to apply to the best interest of the Institution
• Knowledge and understanding of policies and procedures applicable to the specific work environment to ensure that work outcomes are compliant to the policies and procedures

Ideal: 

• Qualified as a Chartered Accountant - CA (SA).
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Professional Qualification ICIMA / CGMA.
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Summary of Duties:

• Provide input into the strategy of the treasury function in collaboration with the Senior Manager Financial Accounting
• Review the liquidity management strategy and put plans in place for the execution of the strategy
• Ensure the implementation of appropriate liquidity management practices
• Identify liquidity risks and put action plans in place to mitigate risks
• Co-ordinate loan servicing programmes and assist with raising of loans
• Provide input into the into month end and year end statements
• Maintain professional relationships with stakeholders
• Manage a team of direct report and maintain a climate conducive for team motivation and performance

Applications should include:

• A fully completed prescribed application form which can be obtained from ac.za (under the QUICK LINKS tab - @careers)
• A detailed curriculum vita (explicitly stating experience or knowledge in the above-mentioned fields)
• Covering Letter
• Copies of all relevant academic records and certificates
• ID Copy
• Matric Certificate
• Current contact information of referees

Closing Date 28 September 2026

go to method of application »

Minimum requirements

• A Master’s degree in Architecture or equivalent.
• Committed to pursuing a Doctoral qualification in Architecture within the time permitted.
• An aggregate of 70% in their Master's academic record.
• Must be South African and below the age of 40.

 Additional recommendations:

• ​2 years post-graduate experience in Architecture.
• Above average Computer literacy in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
• Above average Computer Literacy in Architectural 3D/BIM Computer Aided Design Software and Graphic Software (ArchiCAD, Autodesk Revit and Adobe Photoshop, CoreDraw, etc.).
• Ability and committed to lecture on Theory and Studio Modules in Architecture.
• Ability and committed to undertake research in Architecture.
• Ability and committed to undertake Community Engagement Initiatives and Projects in Architecture.
• Ability and committed to work in a team and independently to complete tasks

Summary of duties:

• Competent preparation and delivery of learning material related to Architecture and appropriate technologies to students at an undergraduate level using online platforms.
• Development of learning material for Architecture courses.
• Supervise, educate, and assess undergraduate students.
• Undertake assessment and administration duties related to teaching and learning.
• Facilitate learning effectively through traditional and online methods. 
• Undertake research and publications, and become involved in community engagement.
• Working collegially with team members toward attaining the department, faculty, and university goals. 
• Assist with administrative and other duties as delegated by the Head of Department or Representative.

 Closing Date 28 September 2026

go to method of application »

Overall Purpose of the Job

• To provide strategic intelligence through the rigorous management, analysis and visualisation of institutional data to support evidence-based decision-making, strategic planning, performance monitoring and reporting.
• The Strategic Intelligence Specialist translates complex internal and external data into actionable insights and recommendations, develops and maintains analytical models, dashboards and management information tools, and promotes data quality, governance and consistent use of institutional information across DUT.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree (NQF 7) in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Analytics or a related quantitative discipline and Ideally Honours Degree (NQF 8) in Data Analytics, Applied Statistics, Data Science, Business Intelligence or a related quantitative discipline.
• At least 5-7 years' relevant experience in data analytics, statistical analysis, business intelligence, data management or institutional performance reporting.

Summary of Duties:

Strategic Intelligence, Data Analysis & Insight Generation

• Analyse institutional and relevant external data to identify patterns, trends, opportunities and risks.
• Apply descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and scenario-based techniques to support strategic planning and decision-making.
• Translate complex data into clear strategic intelligence, recommendations and management information for executive and institutional stakeholders.

Data Management, Integration & Quality Assurance

• Maintain automated process for data updates and reporting pipelines
• Document data models, flows and validation procedures
• Maintain reliable datasets, data models, reporting pipelines, data dictionaries, metadata and version-control information.
• Resolve data discrepancies with IT and data stewards, and support strategy data warehouses, governance processes and data audits.

Business Intelligence, Visualisation & Dashboard Development

• Design, develop and maintain dashboards, scorecards and visual reports using Power BI, Tableau or similar platforms.
• Guide and train users on the interpretation and effective use of dashboards and analytical outputs.
• Provide analytics for performance against strategic objectives/strategic goals as presented in the institutional strategic plan; Annual Performance Plan (APP) and Extended Annual Performance Plan (EAPP)

Institutional Performance Monitoring, Reporting & Forecasting

• Monitor performance against DUT Strategy, APP/EAPP commitments, approved KPIs and institutional targets.
• Develop forecasts, baselines, metrics and scenarios to support target-setting, planning and resource decisions.
• Support management, Council, Senate, DHET, CHE and other statutory or governance reporting and submissions.

Stakeholder Advisory, Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with Institutional Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (IPME) peers as well as relevant divisions/departments/units to develop shared data and analytical solutions.
• Present findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences and support institutional data literacy.
• Promote compliance with POPIA, DUT data governance requirements and applicable DHET/CHE reporting standards.
• Maintain documentation, audit trails and data-request protocols, and continuously improve analytical and reporting processes.

Applications should include:

• A fully completed prescribed application form which can be obtained from dut.ac.za (under the QUICK LINKS tab - @careers)
• A detailed curriculum vitae (explicitly stating experience or knowledge in the above-mentioned fields)
• Cover Letter
• Copies of all relevant academic records and certificates
• ID Copy
• Matric Certificate
• Current contactable referees

  Closing Date 28 September 2026

go to method of application »

RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS

• Point-of-Care Diagnostics and Essential Clinical Devices
• Assistive, Rehabilitation and Connected Care Technologies
• MedTech Translation, Local Manufacturing and Health-System Adoption
• Candidates who have Doctorates in the following disciplines are encouraged to apply: Biomedical Engineering; Electrical/Electronic Engineering; BioEngineering; Mechanical Engineering; Materials/Chemical Engineering; Rehabilitation Engineering; Mechatronics Engineering

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• A Post-doctoral Fellow (PDF) supports research and other activities as specified by the Hosting entity. The Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme aims to provide opportunities for postdoctoral candidates to conduct innovative research, publish, and increase knowledge in the specified expertise.

We, therefore, seek candidates who will fulfil the following objectives:

• To place DUT at the forefront of research and innovation
• To generate new knowledge and transfer knowledge and skills
• To enable outstanding doctoral graduates to obtain experience of research and innovation at DUT
• To provide an opportunity to promising young researchers from different universities to enhance their research skills and expertise
• To expand on existing research and ideas and to pursue new lines of research
• To interact with other academics and post-doctoral fellows
• To emphasise an increase in publication outputs
• To establish and enhance South African intellect
• To develop knowledge for stakeholders such as the government, business, industry and social communities
• To promote national and international conference attendance by post-doctoral fellows and the presentation of research papers at these conferences.

KEY DETAILS

• VALUE PER ANNUM: R240 000 per annum (tax-exempt stipend, in line with NRF postdoctoral fellowship norms), subject to confirmation of funding

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Must hold a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) awarded within the last five years in fields described above.
• Must not be permanently employed at any university or research institution.
• Must not have held a DUT postdoctoral fellowship previously.
• Must demonstrate a record of, or clear potential for, peer-reviewed publication.
• Must be available to be based primarily at DUT Durban for the duration of the fellowship.
• International applicants are welcome; valid work authorisation for South Africa is required before commencement.
• Must be 45 years of age or younger at the time of application.
• DURATION OF TENURE: 12 months, renewable, subject to evidence of progress and availability of funding.
• POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP START DATE: as soon as all conditions of appointment are met
• CONTACT PERSON: Viko Mazwi
• STATUS OF POSITION: 2 Year Contract, but renewable every year.
• APPLICATION PLATFORM: Applications will be received only via SimplifyHR.

Applications should include:

• A fully completed prescribed application form, obtainable from dut.ac.za (under the Quick Links tab – Careers)
• A full Curriculum Vitae
• Official certified Academic transcripts of all degrees and the corresponding certified copies of the Degree certificates.
• A certified copy of the identity document details page or passport details page.
• Visa (required from successful International Researchers only).
• Medical certificate (required from successful International Researchers only. For SA Citizens and SA Permanent Residents, it is not required).
• Two reference letters, one of which must be from the Doctoral Supervisor.

Closing Date 25 September 2026

go to method of application »

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent technical qualification in Electronic and /or Computer Engineering. (NQF 7) or closely related field.
• At least 3 years technical/industrial experience.
• Experience with electronic hardware and/or computer hardware/software maintenance, as well as working knowledge of software such as Python, MATLAB, and Embedded C Programming.
• Must have knowledge and experience in computer networking, hardware repair, operating systems, and specialized software such as MATLAB and Multisim.

Recommendations

• Experience with function generators, oscilloscopes and general electronic test equipment.
• Working knowledge of CAD, 3D printing and PCB fabrication.

Summary of Duties

• To coordinate and implement the effective operation, administration and maintenance of designated laboratories in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering.
• To support academic staff in the running of student practical sessions.
• Must be competent in the repair of basic electronic test and computer equipment.
• Must be able to maintain software and hardware on a small computer network running high-level software applications.
• Must have good communication skills -written and verbal in English.
• Must be able to work independently and achieve results on time.
• Must be able to plan and schedule work efforts, including management of resources, and to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Place orders for new equipment and maintain an accurate asset register
• Must be aware of, plan, and implement safety measures within a laboratory environment.

To Apply:

• Please attach your CV, copies of ID, and Qualifications when applying
• Please ensure that all relevant documents are merged in chronological order when applying.
• Communication will be entered into with short-listed candidates only. 

Closing Date 28 September 2026

go to method of application »

Minimum Requirements: 

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
• A qualification in nursing education
• 3 years' experience in Nursing and or Midwifery practice
• Current registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as: General Nurse, Midwife,Nurse Educator,Assessor,Moderator
• A valid Code 08 driver's license

 Additional Recommendations: 

• Experience with e-learning
• Computer literacy in MSWord, PowerPoint and internet usage.
• Proficiency in research or tertiary education instruction will be an advantage.
• Experience in curriculum development.

Summary of Duties:

Teaching and Learning

•  Contributes to the design, development and review of learning materials and module content to ensure relevance and quality.
• Facilitates undergraduate learning, teaching and assessment in both clinical skills laboratory and clinical settings.
• Develops and apply innovative learning and teaching strategies, methods and materials to enhance student learning.
• Ensures that teaching and learning activities comply with DUT, SANC, and SAQA quality assurance standards.
• Provides academic and clinical consultation and support to students
• Coordinates clinical placements in collaboration with clinical facilities and the department’s transport office.
• Liaises and collaborates with clinical facilities Clinical Education and Training Unit (CETU) Clinical Coordinators, Nursing Managers and Unit Managers and Preceptors, to ensure effective student placement, supervision and achievement of learning outcomes.
• Monitors and assesses student progress during Work Integrated Learning (WIL).

Research

• Participates under supervision in research activities

External Engagements

•  Participate in departmental and faculty community engagement programmes and projects.
• Supports Cooperative Education and WIL activities
• Placement of student to acquire experiential training

Academic Administration

•  Participate in academic administration functions including:
• Student admissions and selection process
• Timetabling and clinical work allocation
• Assessment, moderation and examination processes
• Maintenance of student records
• Perform any other duties as delegated within the scope and competencies of this profile.

Competencies

• Professional and technical knowledge in Nursing and Nursing Education
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong team orientation with a student-centred approach
• Computer proficiency in Computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Internet applications
• Ability to manage, analyze, and synthesize information to design effective learning experiences.
• Understanding of the Higher Education environment and regulatory frameworks e.g. SANC, SAQA and NQF.

Closing Date 15 October 2026