Vacancies Available at Sol Plaatje University

Minimum Requirement

Lecturer P8

• A Masters degree in astrophysics/radio astronomy, or a cognate discipline.
• At least two (2) years relevant teaching experience 
• Evidence of research output,
• Evidence of active participation in professional, industry and/or community engagement activities.
• Evidence of competence in administration of a course/subject at departmental level.

Senior Lecturer P7

• A Doctorate in astrophysics/radio astronomy or cognate field.
• At least 5 years relevant teaching experience 
• Evidence of managing a research program and some publications in accredited journal/s.
• Evidence of successful postgraduate students’ supervision at master’s and or Doctoral level.
• Evidence of successful curriculum development and academic management.
• Evidence of active participation in professional, industry and/or community activities.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing quality assurance requirements.
• Excellent computer skills.

Recommendation 

Lecturer

• Proof of PhD registration and at least two years’ lecturing experience at university will be an advantage.
• At least one peer-reviewed article in a scholarly journal
• Evidence of postgraduate supervision

Senior Lecturer

• NRF rating or demonstrate the potential for a successful NRF rating application.
• Mobilised research grant funding or have applied for research funding.

Duties and Responsibilities 
Teaching:

• Develop and present a reflective teaching portfolio which covers: Approach to teaching; contributions to curriculum development; design of learning materials; innovative pedagogy; student and junior staff mentoring; successful supervision of postgraduate students; formal participation
  in teaching and learning development courses; Student and/or peer evaluations of own teaching; Evidence of scholarship of Teaching and Learning would be beneficial.
• Provide evidence of teaching modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as evidence of postgraduate supervision.
• Contributions to curriculum development.
• Design of learning materials.
• Innovative pedagogy.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in implementing quality assurance requirements.
• Evidence of national and/or international collaboration within the Physical and Earth Sciences fraternity.
• Student and junior staff mentoring.
• Formal participation in teaching and learning development courses.
• Student and/or peer evaluations of own teaching; Demonstrate the ability to teach across subjects.

Research:

• Demonstrate evidence of continuous research productivity in the form of:
• Publications in DHET accredited journals and peer-reviewed conference proceedings, research papers presented at national and/or international conferences.
• Contributions to scholarly books published by reputable publishers, in good standing with DHET and not linked to predatory practices.
• Highlight evidence of managing a research program.
• Evidence of external research fundraising.
• Proof of citations ( e.g. Scopus H-index); Evidence of scholarship of Teaching and Learning would be beneficial.
• NRF rating is recommended OR demonstrate potential for obtaining and NRF rating within the next five 5 years.

Community Engagement:

• Significant involvement in discipline or departmental official activities and processes.
• Active academic participation in workshops/forums in higher education.
• Movement towards recognition in the broader subject/ discipline community.
• External examining/ moderating at other higher education institutions at UG and/or PG levels.

Curriculum development and accreditation

• Contribute to curriculum development and participate in curriculum review to ensure alignment with sector /discipline norms and requirements.

Student academic development

• Identify, report, and support student at risk timeously.
• Develop intervention strategies.

Administration

• Keep attendance registers.
• Record student results.
• Assist with registration of students.
• Invigilate test and examinations.
• Implement policies and procedures applicable to the teaching and learning community engagement research, SHE and academic administration functions.
• Participate in departmental School /Faculty committees.

Quality Assurance

• Contribute to quality assurance through committee meetings and submission of relevant documents.
• Implement appropriate interventions.

Personal /Professional Development

• Keep abreast of development within own field of study.
• Register as member of professional bodies.
• Attend conferences, seminars and workshops.
• Present research papers at conferences

Monitoring, Evaluations, and reporting

• Develop relevant reports as and when required.
• Communicate and consult with relevant stakeholders.

go to method of application »

Minimum Requirement
Lecturer P8

• Masters in Agriculture (or related field) with a specialisation in Crop Sciences/Horticulture.
• At least two (2) years teaching experience 
• Evidence of research activity
• Evidence of active participation in professional, industry and/or community activities
• Evidence of competence in administration of a course/subject at departmental level

Senior Lecturer P7

• PhD/Doctorate in Agriculture (or related field) with a specialisation in Crop Science/Horticulture.
• At least five (5) years relevant teaching experience 
• Evidence of managing a research program
• Evidence of relevant, published full length papers in peer-reviewed scholarly journals
• Evidence of successful postgraduate supervision at masters and/or PhD level.
• Evidence of successful curriculum development and academic management (not mandatory)
• Evidence of active participation in professional, industry and/or community activities
• Knowledge and experience of implementing quality assurance requirements
• Evidence of external funding or demonstrate the ability to apply for external funding.
• Evidence of statistical competence.

Recommendation 

Lecturer

• PhD, or Proof of PhD registration and at least two years’ lecturing experience at university will be an advantage.
• At least one relevant, published full length paper in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal 

Senior Lecturer

• NRF rating or demonstrate the potential for a successful NRF rating application.
• Mobilised research grant funding or have applied for research funding.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Teaching:

• Develop and present a reflective teaching portfolio which covers: Approach to teaching; contributions to curriculum development; design of learning materials; innovative pedagogy; student and junior staff mentoring; successful supervision of postgraduate students; formal participation
  in teaching and learning development courses; Student and/or peer evaluations of own teaching; Evidence of scholarship of Teaching and Learning would be beneficial.
• Provide evidence of teaching modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as evidence of postgraduate supervision.
• Contributions to curriculum development.
• Design of learning materials.
• Innovative pedagogy.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in implementing quality assurance requirements.
• Evidence of national and/or international collaboration within the Biology and Agriculture Sciences.
• Student and junior staff mentoring.
• Formal participation in teaching and leaning development courses.
• Student and/or peer evaluations of own teaching; Demonstrate the ability to teach across subjects.

Research:

• Demonstrate evidence of continuous research productivity in the form of:
• Publications in DHET accredited journals and peer-reviewed conference proceedings, research papers presented at national and/or international conferences.
• Contributions to scholarly books published by reputable publishers, in good standing with DHET and not linked to predatory practices.
• Highlight evidence of managing a research program.
• Evidence of external research fundraising.
• Proof of citations (e.g. Scopus H-index); Evidence of scholarship of Teaching and Learning would be beneficial.
• NRF rating is recommended OR demonstrate potential for obtaining and NRF rating within the next five 5 years.

Community Engagement:

• Significant involvement in discipline or departmental official activities and processes.
• Active academic participation in workshops/forums in higher education.
• Movement towards recognition in the broader subject/ discipline community.
• External examining/ moderating at other higher education institutions at UG and/or PG levels.

Curriculum development and accreditation

• Contribute to curriculum development and participate in curriculum review to ensure alignment with sector /discipline norms and requirements.

Student academic development

• Identify, report, and support student at risk timeously.
• Develop intervention strategies.

Administration

• Keep attendance registers.
• Record student results.
• Assist with registration of students.
• Invigilate test and examinations.
• Implement policies and procedures applicable to the teaching and learning community engagement research, SHE and academic administration functions.
• Participate in departmental School /Faculty committees.

Quality Assurance

• Contribute to quality assurance through committee meetings and submission of relevant documents.
• Implement appropriate interventions.

Personal /Professional Development

• Keep abreast of development within own field of study.
• Register as member of professional bodies.
• Attend conferences, seminars and workshops.
• Present research papers at conferences.

Monitoring, Evaluations, and reporting

• Develop relevant reports as and when required.
• Communicate and consult with relevant stakeholders.

go to method of application »

Minimum Requirements

Professor

• PhD/Doctorate in Agriculture (or related field) with a specialisation in Crop Science/Agronomy,
• At least ten (10) years relevant lecturing experience at tertiary level,
• Proven track record in teaching, research (including publications in accredited journals) and community engagement
• Proven track record of supervising postgraduate students at Masters and Doctoral level,
• Evidence of successful curriculum development
• High academic and professional standing in the field of expertise and high academic credibility amongst peers
• Strategic planning and implementation experience
• Knowledge and experience of implementing quality assurance requirements
• An NRF rating

Associate professor

• PhD/Doctorate in Agriculture (or related field) with a specialisation in Crop Science/Agronomy
• At least eight (8) years relevant lecturing experience at tertiary level
• Proven track record in teaching and learning, research (including publications in accredited journals) and community engagement
• Proven track record of supervising postgraduate students at Masters and Doctoral level
• Evidence of successful curriculum development and academic management
• Knowledge and experience of implementing quality assurance requirements

Senior Lecturer

• PhD/Doctorate in Agriculture (or related field) with a specialisation in Crop Science/Agronomy.
• At least five (5) years relevant teaching experience at tertiary level
• Evidence of managing a research program
• Evidence of relevant, published full length papers in peer-reviewed scholarly journals
• Evidence of postgraduate research supervision at master’s and/or PhD level.
• Evidence of successful curriculum development and academic management (not mandatory)
• Evidence of active participation in professional, industry and/or community activities
• Knowledge and experience of implementing quality assurance requirements

Recommender Criteria

• Specialisation in Crop Science/Agronomy
• NRF rating or potential to be NRF rated if non-South African residing outside the country
• Evidence of managing research projects and the ability to attract project funding

Duties

• Deliver on teaching and learning in undergraduate and post-graduate Agriculture and conduct practicals at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• Undertake curriculum and programme development in the Department
• Undertake supervision of students at postgraduate level
• Participate in academic administration and subject management in the Department
• Seek research funding and conduct research within relevant fields
• Contribute to capacity building and collegiality within the Department
• Engage with a diversity of stakeholders and community, including academic collaboration, research funding in the industry and government.

go to method of application »

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline 
• An education qualification is a requirement
• At least two (2) years of teaching the subject at a university or school level
• Evidence of research activity
• Evidence of active participation in professional, industry and/or community activities

Recommended Requirements

• A PhD in a relevant discipline
• Evidence of Post graduate supervision
• At least one peer-reviewed article in a scholarly journal

Duties

• Compile work schemes in collaboration with colleagues
• Research and utilise new and emerging approaches and technology in teaching
• The professional preparation of teaching media
• The professional preparation of notes to supplement or substitute prescribed textbooks
• Research and selection of sui­table reference material to supple­ment textbooks
• The facilitation of an effective teaching situation in which the learning experience can take place successfully
• The upgrading of course content/ development of new courses and/or modules in order to keep up with the latest requirements of the discipline
• Student and peer evaluations of teaching performance
• Apply appropriate assessment methods
• External examining and invitations to teach externally
• Act as a study leader
• Conduct appropriate research
• Publish research results
• Keep abreast of professional literature
• Contribute to community engagement initiatives
• Integrate community engagement interventions into the curriculum
• Report on own involvement in professional, industry and/or community activities
• Contributes to curriculum development
• Participate in curriculum review to ensure alignment with sector/discipline norms and requirements
• Review assessment methods

go to method of application »

Minimum requirements:

• National Diploma or bachelor’s degree in office administration, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field (NQF Level 6/7).
• A higher qualification will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of 2–3 years' experience in office administration, preferably within a university, research or public sector environment.
• Experience in financial administration, procurement processes and budget monitoring.
• Experience in coordinating events, meetings and logistics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent report writing skills
• Strong organisational, planning and time management skills.
• High level of computer literacy, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work independently and use own initiative.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills

Recommended Requirements:

• Experience working in a university or research setting.
• Experience in managing externally funded research grants.
• Knowledge of higher education systems, governance and compliance frameworks.
• Knowledge of university systems, structures, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of project Management.
• Project management experience or qualification.
• Previous experience as an Academic Administrative Officer, Departmental Secretary or Executive Secretary.
• Familiarity with NRF reporting processes and postgraduate student administration.

Duties:

Office & Administrative Management

• Coordinate and manage all administrative operations of the SARChI Chair.
• Develop and maintain effective administrative systems, databases and electronic repositories.
• Organise and maintain diaries and schedule appointments for the SARChI Chair.
• Screen phone calls, enquiries and requests, and handle them appropriately.
• Deal with incoming email and correspondence, often corresponding on behalf of the SARChI Chair.
• Organise and attend meetings, ensuring the Chair is prepared with the necessary documentation.
• Process bursary applications and administer postgraduate student records on behalf of the Chair.
• Liaise between postgraduate students and the SARChI Chair.
• Record research outputs for submission to DHET and the NRF.
• Prepare institutional and NRF progress reports.
• Manage and order stationery and other office supplies.
• Perform ad hoc duties as and when required.

Financial & Procurement Administration

• Raise requisitions and submit purchase orders for the Chair.
• Receive, sign and submit invoices to Procurement and Finance to ensure timely payments.
• Manage the operational and project budgets of the Chair, monitoring expenditure against NRF grant allocations and keeping comprehensive records of all expenditures.
• Process requisitions, purchase orders, invoices, and payments — including office consumables, equipment, books, and software — in liaison with Procurement and Finance.
• Arrange S&T, reimbursements, advance requests, and advance submissions for the Chair and students.
• Coordinate bursary nominations, top-up payments, and student funding processes.
• Facilitate formal university invoicing and internal cost centre transfers as required.
• Prepare financial reports, reconcile cost centres, and provide reports as required.
• Maintain complete, audit-ready financial documentation.
• Adhere strictly to all financial, procurement, and contracting governance policies, ensuring transparency and ethical management of all funds.

Stakeholder Engagement and Events Coordination

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of stakeholders.
• Plan, arrange and coordinate meetings, training sessions, workshops, functions and conferences as directed
• Liaise continuously with relevant organisations, community partners, university, government and research personnel.
• Ensure effective information processing by sourcing, receiving and disseminating information to appropriate parties.
• Prepare communication packages, external communications and media content on behalf of the Chair, ensuring timeous communication to all relevant stakeholders and supporting dissemination of research outputs.
• Oversee and maintain all digital communication platforms, including the Chair's website and social media presence.
• Coordinate public lectures, workshops, seminars, conferences and community engagement events hosted by or attended by the Chair.
• Manage travel, accommodation, visas and subsistence & travel claims for local and international trips.

Postgraduate and Research Support

• Coordinate postgraduate registration, bursary administration and thesis submission processes.
• Support NRF bursary nominations and reporting.
• Maintain records of research outputs for DHET submission.
• Provide administrative support for postdoctoral fellows and research assistants.
• Facilitate communication between students and the Chair Holder.

Project & Research Administration

• Create, manage and maintain the project database in accordance with the project planning model.
• Maintain relationships with programme and project partners.
• Deal with all correspondence pertaining to associated programmes and projects.
• Assist with NRF reporting processes and submission of research outputs online.
• Support Chair Holder with Chair-specific NRF bursary nominations.
• Assist with submission of theses and dissertations.
• Provide general assistance with reporting requirements and field trip arrangements.

Quality, Compliance & General

• Act as the first point of call on all general queries.
• Resolve day-to-day queries and escalate where necessary.
• Ensure key university processes and procedures are followed
• Identify areas for improvement and recommend solutions to optimise operations.
• Implement quality control measures to enhance administrative efficiency.