Vacant Jobs at Sol Plaatje University

Purpose

• As a senior academic the incumbent will be expected to teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules, establish a research programme in this discipline as well as be involved in growing a research community in the faculty and raise the necessary funds to support such research. 

Minimum Requirements

Senior Lecturer P7

• PhD/Doctorate in Botany (or related discipline)
• 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, master's and/or PhD
• 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.

Associate Professor P6

• PhD/Doctorate in Botany (or related discipline)
• At least eight (8) years relevant experience
• 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
• Excellent computer skills

Professor P5

• PhD/Doctorate in Botany (or related discipline)
• Ten (10) years relevant experience
• Proven track record in teaching, research (including publications in accredited journals) and community engagement
• Proven track record of supervising postgraduate students at master's and Doctoral level
• Five (5) years relevant academic management and leadership experience
• 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
• A NRF Rating
• Knowledge and experience of implementing quality assurance requirements

Recommendation 

Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer

• Specialisation in plant (eco)-physiology and related general biology/agriculture.
• NRF rating or potential to be NRF rated
• Evidence of managing research projects and the ability to attract project funding
• SACNASP and Academia registration, and ORCID ID would be an added advantage

Duties and responsibilities

Teaching and Learning:

• Develop and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
• Utilize innovative and effective teaching methods to engage students and enhance their understanding of modules
• Mentor and advise students in research projects and academic pursuits.

 Research:

• Conduct cutting-edge research with a focus on teacher education.
• Publish research findings in reputable peer-reviewed and accredited journals.
• Evidence of securing external funding through grants and collaborations.

 Curriculum Development:

• Contribute to the development and enhancement.
• Integrate emerging educational technologies and pedagogical approaches into course materials.

 Community Engagement:

• Collaborate with local schools, organizations, and community initiatives.
• Participate in outreach programmes

 Professional Development:

• Stay abreast of the latest trends, research, and best practices
• Engage in professional development activities to enhance teaching, research and supervision capabilities

Academic Citizenship:

• Contribute to departmental and university service through committee participation.
• Provide leadership and support in advancing the goals of the department and institution.

Closing Date 05 January 2026

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Purpose 

• Responsible for teaching and learning, research, and community engagement, and to provide support to the department/faculty in pursuit of its academic objectives.
• Responsibilities also include curriculum development, student academic development, administration, quality assurance, and academic management in order to contribute to the academic initiatives undertaken by the department/faculty

Minimum Requirements

• PhD/Doctorate in relevant discipline.
• A relevant teaching qualification.
• At least five years of relevant experience, with at least 3 years in Higher Education.
• Demonstrate evidence of continuous research productivity through publications in DHET-accredited journals, peer-reviewed conference proceedings, contributions to scholarly books, and research papers presented at national and/or international conferences.
• Successful supervision of postgraduate students at the Master's and/or PhD level.
• Significant involvement in professional, industry, and/or community activities and processes, including active academic participation in workshops/forums in higher education; movement towards recognition in the broader subject/ discipline community; external examining/moderating at under- and postgraduate levels.

Recommendation

• NRF Rating. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Teaching and Learning

• Compile work schemes in col­labo­ration with colleagues.
• Research and utilize 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.

Research

• Acts as a study leader.
• Conduct appropriate research.
• Publish research results.
• Keep abreast of professional literature.
• Obtain research grants.

Community Engagement

• Contribute to community engagement initiatives.
• Integrate community engagement interventions into curriculum.
• Report on own involvement in professional, industry and/or community activities.

Curriculum Development and Accreditation

• Contributes to curriculum development.
• Participate in curriculum review and the development of new courses/modules to ensure alignment with sector/discipline norms and requirements.
• Review assessment methods for self and others.
• Revise and submit programmes for accreditation by relevant accreditation bodies.

Student Academic Development

• Identify students at risk timeously.
• Develop intervention strategies.
• Provide counseling to students.
• Monitor student progress.
• Make necessary referrals for students, where needed.

Administration

• Keep attendance registers.
• Record student results.
• Assist with the registration of students
• Supervise tests and examinations
• Participate and chair departmental committees

Quality Assurance

• Contribute to Quality Assurance through committee meetings and submission of relevant documents.
• Identify QA feedback mechanism within the school/department.

Academic Management

• Contributes to policy making.
• Set annual objectives pertaining to academic programmes.
• Participate in the review of teaching, research, community engagement and academic administration objectives.
• Management of tutor activities.

Personal/ Professional Development

• Keep abreast of developments within own field of study and its implications for teaching and learning, community engagement, research, etc.
• Keep abreast of developments in professional conduct at SPU.
• Engage in current professional development activities.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

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

Closing Date 15 January 2026