Open Positions at University of the Witwatersrand

Brief Description        
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: 

• Applicants should hold a PhD in a discipline or specialist area related to the activities of the school or have significant professional or design accomplishments meriting appointment at a professorial level.  The successful appointee should have demonstrable management and administrative experience, preferably within interdisciplinary teams; show an ability to provide leadership, embrace a variety of stakeholders, enhance public standing, and/or nurture a positive collective institutional or professional identity.  
• The successful appointee should have a strong body of design or research work, backed by a body of evidence, preferably with an international profile and/or a practice or research orientation relevant to an African context.  South African citizens and permanent residents currently employed in academia must be in possession of a National Research Foundation (NRF) rating (https://www.nrf.ac.za/rating/).  Professional registration, or eligibility for international applicants is recommended.

DUTIES:

• To create an inclusive and supportive teaching and learning environment for students, promoting their academic success and well-being.
• To foster research excellence, innovation, and academic citizenship within the school.
• To promote diversity and inclusion in the staff and student bodies.
• To manage academic, administrative, and support staff, including recruitment and evaluation, and to work collaboratively and collegially with      staff to enhance professional growth and strengthen the school’s academic standing.
• To manage the school’s budget, allocating resources effectively and fairly to support teaching, administration, research, and facilities’ needs.
• To engage in fundraising efforts to secure grants, donations, and sponsorships for student bursaries, scholarships, and overall teaching and     research activities across national and international networks.
• To maintain and strengthen collaborative relationships within the faculty and other Schools beyond the Faculty, industry partners, public     agencies, and other academic institutions.
• To support curriculum development, ensuring relevance to industry trends and technological advancements, and promoting a culture of     studio-based teaching.

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Brief Description        

• The Faculty of Humanities invites applications for the At-Risk Co-Ordinator vacancy. The purpose of this post is to develop, participate and provide leadership in initiatives to enhance the learning environment and improve student success. The candidate will work closely with the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Registrar, Clinical Psychologist, and the Students’ Ambassadors.
• The key areas of the post include some of the following tasks: Curriculum planning and counselling; Providing academic support to the student; Implementing interventions that promote student success; Developing strategies to monitor and track student progress using appropriate data; Creating opportunities for ‘At Risk’ students to reflect on the causes of their difficulties; Collaborate with academic staff in the faculty to build students support capacity in the faculty.

Job Requirements:

• A relevant PhD
• Experience working in an Academic Development Unit or Teaching and Learning Centre in an educational environment with university students will be an advantage.
• Three to five years’ experience working in an Academic Development Unit will be advantageous.
• Experience working with Wits University Systems will be an advantage  
• Experience in the facilitation and presentation of workshops with students in tertiary institutions will be advantageous.
• Excellent crisis management and communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Willingness to do occasional after-hours interventions/workshops/presentations.
• Computer literacy essential
• Knowledge of social media applications for interventions will be an advantage.

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Brief Description        

• The postdoctoral fellowships target doctoral graduates who wish to pursue a career in health policy and systems research (HPSR), especially on the health workforce.
• The specific research areas that the postdoctoral fellows will focus on are
• skills mix, task sharing and the role of technology (one position);
• health workforce performance, productivity, well-being, job satisfaction, and retention (one position);
• leadership, management, governance and learning systems (one position).
• The fellows will work on the pre-defined topics described but within this will be expected to develop an independent contribution to the research as guided by Prof. Rispel and in collaboration with the wider AFRHiCARE partners.
• This could provide opportunities for cross-country comparative research as well as more specific research in South Africa. Fellows
• The successful candidates will also have the opportunity to learn about new research methods such as realist reviews and travel and collaborate with counterparts in Kenya, Uganda, and the United Kingdom.
• The postdoctoral fellows could contribute to teaching and postgraduate supervision activities linked to these research areas in the Wits SPH, provided that these are in accordance with relevant policies, including the National Research Foundation guidelines.

Eligibility

• A PhD in public health, health economics or biostatistics, social or management sciences obtained within the past five years. Applicants who did not obtain their doctorate in South Africa, should have a valid South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) certificate at the time of application.
• Although preference will be given to South African citizens or permanent residents, applications from other sub-Saharan African countries are welcome.
• Familiarity with the field of health policy and systems research (HPSR), specifically HRH or health care management research.
• Advanced research skills, preferably in mixed methods
• Ability to work with various data sources, platforms, and software such as STATA, and R, as well as qualitative data e.g., MAXODA.
• At least two peer-reviewed publications in accredited journals
• A go-getter, willing and able to work in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to meet and honour strict deadlines.
• Younger than or equal to 40 years of age.
• Advanced English language proficiency.

 Advantageous skills 

• Experience in research project management and ability to liaise with diverse stakeholders.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Post-graduate supervision experience
• Knowledge and/or experience of African health systems
• Prior experience on the health workforce and systems research.
• Ability to contribute to innovative approaches and solutions.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including researchers, faculty, and industry partners.

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Brief Description        
Key Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will have the following responsibilities:

• Staff and Student Training and Support: Hold professional learning workshops and courses for staff/students on how to use software, online tools and technology in their teaching and learning activities.
• Curriculum development and instructional design: Collaborate with lecturers on individual or team projects to re-design their curricula/learning modules to incorporate technology and blended learning. This is an end-to-end process of curriculum alignment and critical appraisal of learning theories that best support the curriculum.
• Develop or curate online content to design interactive blended learning activities for special projects in as part of the eFundanathi team in collaboration with lecturers in the School.
• Research: Conduct research and participate in congresses, as an individual or in collaboration with other academics, that align with the vision of eFundanathi for the purposes of higher degree and/or publication.
• Stay abreast of developments within the fields of educational technology and scholarship of teaching and learning. Actively engage with the local and international health professions education communities of practice.
• Supervise or collaborate on educational research projects in the School that align with eFundanathi initiatives.
• Administration: Perform administration tasks needed for the day-to-day management of the eZone (bookings, device management, setting up equipment etc.) and as a member of       eFundanathi (assigned duties within the team). 
• Serve on School committees and University workgroups as assigned as part of academic citizenship.

Requirements for Associate Lecturer-

• A 4-year Bachelors degree in a Therapeutic Sciences profession or in Education or related field
• A Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences Education or similar would be an advantage
• A Masters (or working towards) in Therapeutic Sciences profession, Education or related field would be an advantage
• Teaching / tutoring at a tertiary level experience would be an advantage
• Prior research experience would be an advantage
• Knowledge and experience of blended learning practice and instructional design with an understanding of pedagogy theories and teaching and learning practices preferably within Higher Education
• Knowledge and skilled use of a variety of applicable software for productivity and learning (such as Office365, OpenOffice, web-applications), virtual learning environments (such as Moodle and Canvas)
• Strong communication and training skills
• Project management and work-flow management with good team-work skills
• General administration skills

Requirements for Lecturer-

• A Master’s degree in a Therapeutic Sciences profession or in Education or a related field. 
• A Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences Education or similar would be an advantage
• PhD or working towards attaining a PhD in a health professions education field or a related topic would be an advantage
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a lecturer/educator/ instructional designer at a tertiary level
• Relevant research and postgraduate supervision experience
• Knowledge and experience of blended learning practice and instructional design with an understanding of pedagogy theories and teaching and learning practices preferably within Higher Education
• Knowledge and skilled use of a variety of applicable software for productivity and learning (such as Office365, OpenOffice, web-applications), virtual learning environments (such as Moodle and Canvas)
• Strong communication and training skills
• Project management and work-flow management with good team-work skills.
• General administration skills

Desirable attributes

• Preference will be given to those who have a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences Education and a master’s in health science/professions education or PGCHE or similar
• Basic media production (such as Canva or Adobe Creative Cloud)
• Professional application of social networking media and practices (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
• An innovative thinker who is not afraid to share ideas

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Brief Description        
Responsibilities

• Managing and coordinating the technology-enabled academic projects within the School, predominantly at undergraduate level within the School, including student use of eLogbooks and online applications supporting workplace-based training and assessment, as well as their optimal engagement on learning management system platform (Ulwazi Canvas).
• Designing and delivering on faculty development in technology-enabled learning and reporting for Wits SOCM programme coordinators & preceptors (Wits & joint appointees); Conducting support visits workshops on how to use applications, and on device management; Developing training documents and manuals for applications
• Input on development, monitoring and review of use-case and technology-related solutions, in partnership with developers, including administering regular user evaluations to inform updates.
• Managing a support/help desk (with administrators), to help students/staff troubleshoot devices and applications, including issues related to digital connectivity and data management.
• Maintaining a high level of awareness of current and emerging eLearning technologies, exploring and evaluating software, applications and technologies that can be applied to skills development in clinical practice.
• Initiating research studies of technology-enabled learning, and of clinical decision support systems
• Data collecting, analysis and reporting, conducted within a research framework as necessary.

Additional Duties

• Liaison with other clinical educators, to support their training of students in partnership with site-based clinicians
• Alignment with the technology-enabled learning in the postgraduate programmes of the School
• Engagement with academic/clinical leadership at central and peripheral clinical departments, whom have the responsibility for governance of staff and students within the respective settings.  
• Involvement in activities of the FHS clinical skills unit and clinical simulation unit, to align quality of technology-enabled learning centrally and peripherally
• Liaison with university IT-project management team, on matters concerning the IT-related environment (connectivity, data, coverage, devices) at the relevant sites on behalf of Wits SOCM, with early identification of challenges.

Requirements to apply for this position:

• A health professional degree or a master’s degree in a relevant discipline
• Experience in technology-enabled clinical health education
• Registration with the Health Professions Council of SA
• Teaching and research experience
• Sound knowledge of South African Health Services

Recommended skills/ qualifications or experience that would be an advantage in your application

• Postgraduate specialisation in health sciences field
• Postgraduate qualifications in medical/health professions education or equivalent experience
• Postgraduate qualification in technology-enabled learning or equivalent or equivalent experience
• Strong collaboration skills
• Ability to network
• Drafting of standard operating procedures and training materials

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Brief Description        
Minimum qualification / requirement

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

 Additional advantage:

• Experience in teaching undergraduate courses, including large classes
• Experience of postgraduate student supervision, appropriate for the level of the post
• Track record of attracting independent research grant funding

 Personal attributes:

The ideal candidate should have the following:

• Collegiality and the ability to work with other members of staff
• Ability to work in a collaborative research environment
• Enthusiasm and passion for teaching, supervision and research 

Field of research:

• Plant biologist with an emphasis on using experimental approaches to investigate biodiversity and evolution. The candidate should possess strong practical and experimental skills and will be able to complement our existing skills in biogeography, systematic biology, systems ecology and plant physiology

Key Performance Areas: 

The candidate is required to:

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

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Brief Description        
Specific Responsibilities for the Division of Clinical Associates BCMP programme:

Teaching and Learning activities for the Division of Clinical Associates

Conduct teaching, facilitating & learning for BCMP students

• Teaching physiology as appropriate for SCMD1001A, (histology, organ , and systemic physiology) SCMD2001A- pathophysiology
•  Focus on applied physiology
• Preparing and implementing blended learning, in classroom large and small group learning
• Develop assessments for physiology content
• Create written assessment blueprints, Develop MCQ and MEQ questions

Mark written assessments

• Maintain feedback sessions to support students’ academic performance
• Participate in clinical osces where applicable

Collaboration

• Collaborate with first-year lectures teaching anatomy and clinical medicine to ensure alignment of teaching and learning
• Participate, and contribute to Division, Department, School, and Faculty wide committees.

Support Research activities related to BCMP programme

• Develop, draft, and submit research protocols
• Conduct research studies: data collection, questionnaires, interviewing, reports, etc
• Pursue Professional Development

Requirements:

• A physiologist/ MBBCh / BCMP (Clinical Associate) / Nursing qualification
• Postgraduate Masters degree in Physiology
• Experience in teaching basic health sciences with a primary focus on physiology.
• Teaching basic sciences for more than 2 years.
• Research experience
• Good computer skills including MS Word, Excel essential and experience of elearning

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Brief Description        
Academic qualifications, experience and attributes:

• Candidates holding a relevant PhD will be given preference. 
• A (relevant) master's degree is the minimum requirement for application, but must be in the process of, or with substantial progress towards obtaining a PhD.
• Must have at least 3 years of teaching and/or academic mentoring or supervision experience within relevant fields of art and specifically in terms of studio practice.
• University-level teaching experience, supervision and course development would be an advantage.
• Must have professional expertise in contemporary art and interdisciplinary discourses/ practices/ curating/ media in the context of South Africa, the African continent and related networks. This can be in the form of an exhibition practice,creative research or publication.
• Must be interested in innovation, transformation, experimentation and critical inquiry in questions of cultural production, histories and pedagogies.
• This 100% position is suited to someone with a strong artistic and academic portfolio, willing to commit to a full-time academic teaching practice.
• Academic positions at WITS University must be research active, a track record of publications and / or creative research is a must, and the position will require the successful candidate to continue to develop their creative and scholarly research and outputs, which will be supported through the Universities research frameworks.
• Must be invested in the teaching process, curriculum development, and working with students. 
• Must be a committed team player within the department, but also be invested in cross-disciplinary explorations within the School of Arts.
• Preferably be able to start by February 2025.

Who we want:  experience, attributes and orientation:

• We are looking specifically for applicants with proficiency in; interdisciplinary approaches to studio practice and art theory/discourses/histories. We welcome applications from artists-scholars with studio-based practices, skill sets and professional experience in the expanded field of contemporary art, including digital processes in contemporary art, AI, publishing, transmedial, sonic, curatorial approaches, design and new media.
• One of the key drawcards is an incumbent with the capacity to teach and exchange knowledge of the theory and praxis of and on collective/self-publishing (in print, digital and media and spatial practices), as a basis for deepening and complicating aesthetics of collectives in the arts and in society. 
• In addition, the role will require work across theory and practice, at undergraduate and postgraduate level. 
• We are excited by and are committed to inclusive and expansive understandings, interrogations and deployments of art practices that are alive to the political, emotional, spiritual, conceptual and material conditions of this city, the region, the continent and beyond.  

Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for:
Conceptualising and teaching practice-based courses at undergraduate level, particularly within expanded drawing and contemporary art practices, in ways that are responsive to digital forms of practice in critical and forward-thinking ways and includes processes of collective self-publishing.
Supervising postgraduate students, in Honours, MA and PhD level. 
Course coordination: administration, managing and developing respective courses and programmes to a professional level.
Contributing to the work of the Department and the School as a whole, actively engaging in academic citizenship, including curriculum development; contributing to postgraduate seminars; community engagement; international partnerships; graduate exhibitions; marketing;  recruitment or seminars/talks.
Contributing to fundraising strategies for the Department. 
Research and the development of new areas in the incumbent's subject field:  contribution to the research outputs of the School and Department, submission of yearly creative and conventional research is a crucial requirement for promotion and probation.
Daily administration, professional time management, and involvement in departmental infrastructures. 
For candidates with a masters, registration and significant progress towards doctoral studies within the first 2 years of appointment. 
The successful candidate will demonstrate commitment to and excellence in teaching and scholarship and/or professional recognition.

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Brief Description        
The successful candidate must meet the following criteria to be appointed: 

Lecturer Level
Academic Qualifications:
PhD with a focus on one of the following key areas: 

• Foundation Phase Literacy
• Additional Language Teaching 
• Childhood Studies

Subject Matter Expertise 

• In-depth understanding of theories of Foundation Phase Literacy and Additional Language Curriculum and Pedagogy, and Childhood Studies.
• Knowledge of recent trends and developments in initial teacher education.

Curriculum Development 

• Ability to contribute to curriculum innovation and design in Foundation Phase Literacy, Additional Languages and Childhood Studies. 

Teaching Capabilities

• Experience in employing various delivery modes to ensure high-quality teaching, learning practices and student experiences. 
• Experience in translanguaging pedagogy and the ability to use translanguaging strategies to support multilingual learners in the classroom.
• Proficiency in digital literacy and seamless integration of technology in teaching and research activities. 

Relevant Experience

• 5 years teaching experience in Foundation Phase and/or Early Childhood learning contexts.  
• Competence in teaching in isiZulu and/or Sesotho would be an added advantage
• Experience in teaching in Higher Education (advantageous).
• Mentoring/supervision of undergraduate students on Teaching Experience/Work Integrated Learning.
• Demonstrated research capability or potential.
• Capacity to supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students.

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The applicant needs to demonstrate a high level of internationally recognized original scientific contributions, leadership qualities, and experience in grant funding and capacity development. They will join a dynamic team of senior scientists at the SBIMB covering a multitude of subspecialist interests. 

The primary duties will include:

• Engage in research activities and oversee postgraduate students at both the Master's and Doctoral levels.
• Lead research initiatives in precision medicine and genomics in Africa independently.
• Create and sustain a robust portfolio of research published in peer-reviewed journals.
• Establish and nurture collaborative research efforts at both national and international levels.
• Build networks with industry and research institutions. 
• Participate in community engagement, translational research, and support the advance of precision medicine and genomics research in Africa.

Desired Experience & Qualification

• Academic credentials: A PhD in human genetics, genomics, biostatistics, genetic epidemiology, bioinformatics or related discipline, or an equivalent qualification. 
• Expertise in Precision Medicine, Genomics, or a related area.
• Demonstrated and consistent research contributions published in peer-reviewed journals.
• A solid record of obtaining external research funding. 
• Ability to independently lead research projects. 
• A history of successfully supervising Doctoral candidates to completion. 
• Established experience in national and international collaborative efforts. 
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication abilities.

Competencies and Behavioural Attributes

• An individual who excels in collaborative environments, demonstrating a strong commitment to student development and research initiatives. 
• Possesses effective problem-solving skills and the capacity to operate autonomously.
• Exhibits resilience and a high level of enthusiasm.