Recruitment Vacancies at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:

• Design and operate large-scale outdoor microalgal cultivation systems, specifically in large raceway ponds and large bioreactors with a total capacity of more than 40 000 litres.
• Develop protocols for the recovery of high-value compounds from microalgae with specific focus on vegan food applications.
• Responsible for the large-scale extraction process and downstream purification of high-value components.
• Implement strategies to minimize production costs, including developing low-cost cultivation media and improving outdoor bioreactor operation conditions.
•  Explore innovative research strategies to treat wastewater with microalgae while achieving high bioremediation efficiencies.
• Lead and contribute to high-impact research projects including sustainable bioprocess engineering, advanced algal production, biofuel production and commercial production of valuable components of microalgae.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Algal Biotechnology/ Industrial Biotechnology/ Biosciences/ Bioengineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in the cultivation of microalgae and upscaling in large outdoor plants
• Demonstrated experience in the extraction of high-value components from microalgal biomass.
• Expertise in a range of analytical techniques, including Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and the determination of various fuel properties (viscosity, density, cetane index) and wastewater parameters (TOC, COD, nutrients).
• Proven experience in the delivery of poster or oral presentations at conferences or equivalent activities.
• Evidence of manuscripts produced that have the potential to be converted or submitted for publication in accredited journals.
• A good academic record (attach a copy).

Recommendations:

• Three (3) years' relevant experience in managing a microalgae plant and downstream initiatives.
• Postdoctoral research experience in a microalgal research unit.
• A strong record of high-impact publications.

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Clean designated/ assigned areas.
• Take stock of cleaning materials and request new materials, as required.
• Pick up and dispose of litter.
• Operate hand and power tools applicable to the trade, such as a brush cutter, snapper, blower, push mower, precision cutter, etc.
• Perform irrigation maintenance when required.
• Mark sporting areas, as required.
• Trim trees, mow, rake, and trim lawns and/or athletic fields.
• Assist in maintenance activities as required from time to time.
• Operate a motor vehicle/tractor, when required, to transport materials and equipment, as appropriate to the position.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
• Attend meetings with the team leader as scheduled.
• Lift, move and manipulate heavy objects when required.
• Apply/spray fertilizer and /or pesticides according to procedure/ instructions.
• Review and inspect equipment/supplies to ensure proper care in the use and maintenance thereof.
• Read and follow safety procedures.
• Promote continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practises.

Inherent requirements:

• Grade 10 on NQF Level 2 (attach proof).
• Code EB/B driver’s license (attach a copy)
• Experience relating to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience relating to the duties and responsibilities set out above.
• Experience in operating gardening equipment and machinery.
• Knowledge of applicable safety procedures.

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Duties and responsibilities:

Conduct innovative research in the following areas: 

• Women entrepreneurship
• Gender
• Work-family conflict
• Family support
• Work-life balance
• Entrepreneurial intention and behaviour
• Business outcomes (growth, survival performance and exit)
• Author/co-author at least three (3) publication outputs per year in the form of DHET–accredited scholarly journal articles or books/chapters in books. The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and the submission of an annual progress report.
• Initiate projects and seek funding for them.
• Register and reside as postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the Directorate of Research.

Eligibility requirements:

• Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University of the Free State. 
• Graduated with a PhD degree in a relevant discipline within the last five years.
• Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship.
• Successful applicants must be able to relocate to the UFS for the duration of the fellowship. This is a residential fellowship: the successful applicant is required to spend 80% of her/his postdoctoral period at the UFS.

Value of the fellowship:

• R 270 000 annual fellowship
• R 30 000 additional research expenses fund 

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Duties and responsibilities:

• Certify documents of staff and students.
• Attend to walk-ins and telephone enquiries.
• Capture incident information on Crime Incident Information System, and update when additional information is received.
• Escalate incidents to the Shift Leader.
• Activate emergency functionaries during emergency situations.
• Respond to two-way radio communication.
• Activate law enforcement agencies when the need arises.
• Always be on high alert and listen to two-way radio and respond accordingly.
• Handle keys for the opening and closing of the building and ensure safe storage. 
• Give statements for internal and criminal investigation processes when so required.
• Carry out any ad hoc duties assigned by the department.

Inherent requirements:

• Grade 12 on NQF Level 4.
• A valid Grade B PSIRA certificate (attach valid copy)
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience.

Recommendations:

• Knowledge of legislation governing security industry.
• Knowledge of Protection of Personal Information Act.
• Knowledge of Criminal Procedure Act.
• First Aid training. 
• Computer training. 
• Basic Firefighting training.

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Duties and responsibilities: 

• Teach Local Government Management, Public/Municipal Finance, Public Policy and or Public Administration modules to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Perform academic administration of undergraduate and postgraduate modules pertaining to learning, teaching, research and assessments.
• Contribute to curriculum development in the department and faculty.
• Provide supervision in postgraduate programmes to Honours, Masters or PhD students.
• Conduct high-quality research, publish in accredited journals, and deliver quality research outputs in line with the faculty's research strategy.
• Provide leadership in pursuit of the department and faculty’s strategic plan with regard to research, learning and teaching, engaged scholarship, as well as leadership and administration.
• Participate in additional academic activities including, but not limited to, presentation of research papers at national and/or international conferences as well as involvement in departmental/faculty research projects.
• Serve as a member of various academic and research committees and perform any other tasks allocated by the Dean and Head of the Department.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with relevant research, civil society, government, industry, and professional organisations.

Inherent requirements:
Lecturer

• A Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 in Public Administration and Management or a related field (for a permanent appointment) 

or

• A Master’s degree on NQF Level 9 in the field of Public Administration and Management or a related field (contract appointment: five years during which a Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 in Public Administration and Management or a related field  MUST be obtained to be converted to a permanent appointment). 
• Proven record of teaching Public Administration and Management related modules at an undergraduate and/or postgraduate level, with a specific focus on Local Government Management, or Public Policy, and or Public/Municipal Finance.
• Proven experience in the delivery of poster or oral presentations at conferences or equivalent activities.
• Evidence of manuscripts produced that have the potential to be converted or submitted for publication in accredited journals.
• A good academic record (attach a copy).

Senior Lecturer

• A Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 in Public Administration and Management or a related field.
• Proven record of teaching Public Administration and Management related modules at an undergraduate and/or postgraduate level, with a specific focus on Local Government Management, or Public Policy, and or Public/Municipal Finance.
• Proven experience in the presentation of papers/posters at national scholarly conferences.
• Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research in a specific area of scholarship.
• An NRF rating or demonstrated potential for obtaining an NRF rating.
• Proven experience in supervision of graduated master’s degree students.
• A proven research record of relevant publication/s in peer-reviewed national and international accredited scientific journals. 
• Proven experience of service as an active member of a national or international scholarly society or committee or agency concerned with research at higher-education levels.

Associate Professor

• A Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 in Public Administration and Management or a related field. 
• Proven record of teaching Public Administration and Management related modules at an undergraduate and/or postgraduate level, with a specific focus on Local Government Management, or Public Policy, and or Public/Municipal Finance.
• Experience as external examiner for postgraduate students.
• Proven experience in the presentation of research papers at national conferences, where there is evidence of peer review of papers.
• Acted as an editorial board member of high-quality national scholarly journals.
• Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of scholarship.
• An NRF rating of C3 or equivalent status.
• Proven experience in the supervision of graduated master’s degree students.
• A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international accredited journals
• Served as a member of a national scholarly society OR a national committee or agency concerned with research at higher education levels OR showed evidence of service as an active member of an international equivalent.

Professor

• A Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 in Public Administration and Management or a related field. 
• Proven record of teaching Public Administration and Management related modules at an undergraduate and/or postgraduate level, with a specific focus on Local Government Management, or Public Policy, and or Public/Municipal Finance.
• Experience as external examiner for master’s-degree and doctoral students.
• Acted as editorial board member of high-quality international/ISI/IBSS journals.
• Proven international recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a particular area of academic scholarship (for example, regularly serves as a reviewer for international/ISI/IBSS journals).
• An NRF rating of C1 or C2 or equivalent status.
• Demonstrated successful supervision of graduated master’s-degree and preferably graduated doctoral students.
• Proven experience in delivering keynote addresses at national scholarly conferences.
• Served as a member of an international scholarly society OR an international committee or agency concerned with research at higher-education levels.

Recommendations:

• Member of a or registration at a professional body (applicable to Lecturer / Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor).
• Experience as a departmental leader/ manager in a higher education environment (applicable to Associate Professor and Professor).
• Sound knowledge of the South African Public Administration and Management environment.
• Sound knowledge of the South African public sector environment.
• Proven work experience in the South African public sector environment.