Job Opportunities at Rhodes University

Main Objectives

• All academics are responsible for disseminating knowledge (teaching and learning), creating knowledge (research), and community engagement, recognizing differences in the execution of these responsibilities within the various departments and Faculties.
• Academics are also expected to assume administrative, management, and/or leadership duties at the departmental, Faculty, and/or University level and contribute to their profession.
• In addition, a Professor and Associate Professor provide academic leadership in teaching and learning, research, and community engagement and contribute towards the institution's governance. This leadership contribution of the Professor should be evidenced at the departmental, Faculty and institutional levels.

The Requirements

Associate Professor:

• At least a PhD in Chemistry.
• Extensive teaching experience in analytical chemistry at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Experience teaching topics related to kinetics, electrochemistry, separation techniques, atomic & molecular spectroscopy and group theory.
• Track record in Master’s and Doctoral supervision to completion.
• International profile in the discipline.
• Track record of research publications in analytical chemistry and in attracting research funding.
• Track record of administration, management, and leadership roles and be willing to take on the role of the Head of Department when required.

Professor:

• At least a PhD in Chemistry.
• Considerable teaching experience in analytical chemistry at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Experience teaching topics related to kinetics, electrochemistry, separation techniques, atomic & molecular spectroscopy and group theory.
• Track record in Master’s and Doctoral supervision to completion.
• National and emerging international profile in the discipline.
• Track record of research publications in analytical chemistry and in attracting research funding.
• Track record of administration, management, and leadership roles and be willing to take on the role of the Head of Department when required.

Closing Date 18 June 2026

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Main Objectives

• At Rhodes University, all programmes contribute to the university’s mission to be foremost in generating and advancing locally responsive and globally engaged knowledge that seeks to create a just and sustainable society.
• Within this broader mission, and aligned with the vision and mission of the University, in the Education Faculty all academics are responsible for the creation and/or co-creation of knowledge (research), sharing of (dissemination), and critical engagement with knowledge (teaching and learning), community engagement and professional involvement in their field beyond the university.
• With this, we recognise differences in the execution of these responsibilities within the various departments, disciplines, faculties, research centres, and institutes in the faculty and the university more widely.  Academics are also expected to assume administrative, management, and/or leadership duties at the departmental, faculty, and/or university levels. 
• In the case of this position, the incumbent will be required to provide academic, administrative, and management leadership roles to enable the sustainability and flourishing of a research centre in the Department of Secondary and Post School Education, namely the Environmental Learning Research Centre.  The ELRC is a leading research centre for the study of Environment and Sustainability Education in Africa.
• Its core objective is ‘To facilitate critical and innovative environmental learning and related research for just, transformative societies and sustainable environments in Africa and the global South’.

 It aims to

• Produce credible knowledge of education, training and social learning practices focusing on African social-ecological contexts and issues.
• Provide tailored educational products and services to enhance educational quality and innovation in Africa and the global South.
• Strengthen and contribute to durable knowledge institutions and African networks promoting social-ecological resilience and sustainability education.
• Promote and disseminate quality knowledge products by African scholars and practitioners on environment, sustainability, and learning.
• Undertake focused advocacy with influential public and development agencies.

The role of the Director of the ELRC will involve inter alia, academic and administrative and strategic management leadership to advance the following areas: teaching and learning; research; community engagement; and partnership building in the field of Environment and Sustainability Education. 

• The leadership contribution of this position should be evidenced firstly and foremost within the Research Centre, and through this at Departmental, Faculty and Institutional levels. It will involve providing academic (research, teaching, and supervision), as well as professional leadership and administrative management in Directing and leading the research programmes of the Environmental Learning Research Centre, which includes partnership building, fundraising and management to advance the objectives of the Research Centre. 
• The position will involve collaboration with the two research Chairs currently based in the ELRC, who will also provide mentoring support to the Director in the first few years of the position as required and relevant to the position.

The Requirements:

Associate Professor:

• PhD in Education (Environment and Sustainability Education or closely related education or learning science fields) and at least 5 years of research project/programme management leadership and experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in providing research leadership and research project and/or programme management in the field of Environment and Sustainability Education (ESE) / Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) or a closely related education or learning sciences field, with a multi-institutional, national and international focus or reach.
• Research supervision of Master's and PhD degrees will be a strong advantage and/or extensive complementary experience supervising complex research teams and projects involving post-graduate scholars at an international level with more complex partnership structures.
• Emerging international profile in the field.
• Teaching in Environment and Sustainability Education (ESE) / Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) or a closely related field, preferably at post-graduate levels.
• Track record of administration, management, and project management leadership roles, including project or programme fundraising, programme management and management of strategic partnerships in project, programme and/ or institutional contexts.
• The ability to speak more than one South African language will be an advantage.

Senior Lecturer:

• PhD in Education (Environment and Sustainability Education or closely related education or learning science fields) and at least 3 years of research project/programme management leadership and experience.
• At least 3 years of experience in providing research leadership and research project and/or programme management in the field of Environment and Sustainability Education (ESE) / Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) or a closely related education or learning sciences field, with a multi-institutional, national and international focus or reach.
• Research supervision of Master's degrees will be a strong advantage and/or extensive complementary experience supervising complex research teams and projects involving post-graduate scholars at the national level with smaller groups of partners.
• National profile in the field.
• Teaching in Environment and Sustainability Education (ESE) / Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) or a closely related field, preferably at post-graduate levels, may also include teaching in professional and/or community-engaged contexts and/or undergraduate level.
• Track record of administration, management, and project management leadership roles, including project or programme fundraising, programme management and management of strategic partnerships in project, programme and/ or institutional contexts.
• The ability to speak more than one South African language will be an advantage.

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Main Objectives

• All academics are responsible for disseminating knowledge (teaching and learning), creating knowledge (research), engaging in community engagement (praxis), and recognising differences in the execution of these responsibilities across the various Departments and Faculties.  Academics are also expected to assume administrative, management, and/or leadership duties at the departmental, Faculty, and/or University level and contribute to their profession.
• For this role, the incumbent is expected to provide academic leadership across teaching, research, and community engagement. There are three main integrated objectives listed separately: 

Engaged Teaching and Learning:

• Collaborate with academics and academic departments to strengthen the quality, rigour, and coherence of institutional external engagement through Service-Learning (SL) programmes, including the design and delivery of short courses in Service-Learning, engaged research, digital storytelling, and social innovation.
• Teach on the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Community Engagement (PG Dip HECE).
• Contribute to the implementation of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) support strategies for SL, including institutional reporting on SL at Rhodes University.

Engaged Research:

• Work in partnership with academics and academic departments to enhance the quality and impact of engaged research that advances societal benefit and public value.
• Lead, promote and support local transdisciplinary research initiatives, with a particular focus on social innovation and local economic development.
• Make critical and original contributions to community engagement scholarship at national and international levels through the generation and dissemination of community-engagement knowledge (with a strong emphasis on social and economic development), including public scholarship (e.g., newspaper articles), peer-reviewed journal publications, and conference presentations.

Community Engagement:

• Manage the Rhodes University Social Innovation Hub within RUCE, including the provision of accredited short courses for academics, students, and community partner organisations, e.g. digital storytelling.
• Participate in the RU Masakhe Economic Development Stakeholder Committee, providing administrative and strategic support to the Director: Community Engagement for this city-wide initiative.
• Work with academics to theorise social innovation and enterprise development, and to contribute to the scholarly body of knowledge in these fields.
• Promote the integrated praxis of CE with academics and students.

The Job Requirements

• A Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline, preferably Humanities or Social Science (must be prepared to register for a PhD)
• Experience in Community Development (CD) and Community Engagement (CE) (Service Learning,  Digital Storytelling and Social Innovation)
• Tutoring, facilitation, or conference presentation experience required. No teaching experience is required.
• Experience in conducting Community-Based Participatory Research
• Ability to teach diverse groups in the University and the broader community  
• No research supervision is required.
• Some administrative experience, albeit in informal contexts (e.g., student or sports clubs), and work experience. 

 Closing Date 12 June 2026

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Main Objectives

• To work as part of the Student Recruitment team to promote all facets of Rhodes University as an excellent institution of higher learning to prospective students and to drive recruitment initiatives as part of the student recruitment plan.
• To liaise with prospective students by means of online enquiries through the admissions gateway website social media and other digital platforms to organize and manage campus visits to the University.
• To initiate and coordinate all marketing and promotional material for student recruitment; content and design. Responsible for content for social media and other digital platforms.

The Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree (NQF level 7) is required and approximately 3 years’ relevant experience, where such experience includes: -
• Previous experience organizing events
• Previous experience within student recruitment in a Higher education environment.
• Previous administrative experience within a computerized administration environment where the use of Word, Excel, Email, and the Internet formed a key part of the responsibilities
• Previous experience in content creation for social media and other digital media platforms
• A valid driver’s license

The following would be advantageous: -

• Preferably to be a Rhodes University graduate (studied at Rhodes University)
• Some experience in marketing & events
• Ability to communicate in other official languages

Closing Date 12 June 2026

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Main Objectives

• To develop, implement and manage the university's Integrated Risk Management and Business Continuity Planning Framework.
• To develop, implement and manage the university’s Combined Assurance Framework.
• To report directly to the Vice-Chancellor or his nominee and the Audit and Risk Committees(A&RC) on deviations from risk management plans and areas that place the University at material risk to establish and maintain an integrated and effective Strategic Risk Management framework where risks are identified proactively, quantified and managed consistently, to initiate, drive, advise on and co-ordinate all risk management activities and to establish compliance requirements and to monitor the adherence to these requirements. 
• To work collaboratively between the offices of the Chief Financial Officer and the Registrar.
• To develop, implement and manage the Integrated Business Continuity Plan for all facets of the University. 
• To establish a compliance framework to monitor laws and legislation affecting the University and ensure its effective compliance. 
• To oversee occupational, health and safety, and access and security matters that affect the University. 
• To advise management, A&RC, and the council on strategic risks that may affect the university. 
• The incumbent has unrestricted access to the Chair: A&RC.

The Requirements

An Honours Degree (i.e., a 4-year Degree) with Accounting, Auditing or Law as majors (with risk management studies being a distinct advantage) plus approximately 7 years’ relevant experience (preferably including a traineeship with an accounting and auditing firm or in commerce or legal practice) where such experience includes:-

• Previous experience in risk, assurance and compliance management, 5 of which must have been at a senior level
• A demonstrable working knowledge of an Integrated Enterprise Risk Management Framework/ Model and implementation thereof
• A demonstrable working knowledge of an integrated business continuity framework and implementation
• Systems design and control training experience
• Project management experience

Closing Date 23 June 2026

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Main Objectives

• To respond to users’ needs for hardware technical support. The incumbent will be required to provide professional, efficient, and accurate responses to enable university staff with their IT needs and to ensure the financial sustainability of maintaining equipment.
• The equipment referred to in this job profile primarily includes (but is not limited to) computers, laptops, monitors, printers (including MFPs), scanners, data projectors, and audio-visual equipment.

The Requirements

Grade 12 with a relevant IT Technical qualification (such as an A+ or an electronics-specific equivalent) and 4 years’ relevant experience, where such experience includes: -

• Evidence of working experience in an IT equipment support environment, troubleshooting, diagnosing and problem-solving equipment issues
• Evidence of working in a Windows user support environment using Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace, not just Gmail
• Evidence of working in a team environment where escalation of open tickets occurs
• Evidence of working with an electronic ticket tracking system for user IT support queries
• A warranty repair certification is required

 Closing Date 16 June 2026

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Main Objectives

• All academics are responsible for disseminating knowledge (teaching and learning), creating knowledge (research), and community engagement, recognizing differences in the execution of these responsibilities within the various departments and Faculties. Academics are also expected to assume administrative, management, and/or leadership duties at the departmental, Faculty, and/or University level and contribute to their profession.
• In addition, a Professor and Associate Professor provide academic leadership in teaching and learning, research, and community engagement and contribute towards the institution's governance. This leadership contribution of the Professor should be evidenced at the departmental, Faculty and institutional levels.

The Requirements

Senior Lecturer:

• At least a PhD in Environmental Science or related Biological, Social or Economic subject with a focus on the nature and complexity of human-environmental interactions. Candidates must have an appropriate research track record in Environmental Science or related fields. 
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels is required.
• Experience in teaching Environmental Science and the social dimensions of social-ecological systems science is required.
• Research supervision from at least a Master’s degree to completion.
• Track record of research publications and research grant funding.
• Emerging national profile in the discipline.
• Proven track record of administration, management, and/or leadership roles in teaching, assessment, research and community engagement.

Associate Professor

• At least a PhD in Environmental Science or related Biological, Social or Economic subject with a focus on the nature and complexity of human-environmental interactions. Candidates must have an appropriate research track record in Environmental Science or related fields.
• Considerable teaching experience at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Experience in teaching Environmental Science and the social dimensions of social-ecological systems science is required.
• Research supervision of Master’s and PhDs to completion.
• Track record of research publications and research grant funding.
• National and emerging international profile in the discipline. NRF rating will be an added advantage.
• Proven track record of administration, management, and/or leadership roles in teaching, assessment, research and community engagement.

Professor

• At least a PhD in Environmental Science or related Biological, Social or Economic subject with a focus on the nature and complexity of human-environmental interactions. Candidates must have an appropriate research track record in Environmental Science or related fields.
• Extensive teaching experience at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Experience in teaching Environmental Science and the social dimensions of social-ecological systems science is required.
• Research supervision of Master’s and PhDs to completion.
• Track record of research publications and research grant funding.
• International profile in the discipline. NRF rating will be an added advantage.
• Proven track record of administration, management, and/or leadership roles in teaching, assessment, research and community engagement.

Closing Date 22 June 2026