Director (Professor/Associate Professor) (P5) (Strategic Initiatives & Administration: Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study) (5-Year Fixed Term Contract)
Position Summary
Introduction
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan university, anchored in Africa and driven by a powerful strategy focused on attaining global excellence and stature (GES). With an emphasis on independent thinking, sustainable development, and strategic partnerships, UJ is an international university of choice. The University is guided by the Vice-Chancellor’s vision of “Positioning UJ in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) for societal impact in the context of the changing social, political, and economic fortunes of Africa”.
Job description
NB: All applicants are requested to submit a detailed CV and cover letter.
The University is seeking to appoint an exceptionally motivated and energetic person of high professional and academic standing to serve as the Director for the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS; http://jias.joburg/), one of the flagship institutes under the Global Excellence and Stature (GES) Catalytic Initiatives.
JIAS, launched in May 2015, is the first and only fully-fledged institute for advanced scholarship in Gauteng - South Africa’s economic and political heartland. It is one of only three institutes for advanced study on the African Continent. Its purpose is to promote cutting-edge research in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences beyond regular teaching and research activities at higher learning institutions.
Since its inception, JIAS has created conditions in which scholars, researchers, and writers can partake and deliver cutting-edge interdisciplinary thought and research at the highest academic level. This is done by reaching beyond the regular teaching and research routines of contemporary institutions of higher education, and by encouraging collaborative scholarly cooperation in the Humanities, Natural, and Social Sciences. JIAS is also a full member of the University-Based Institutes for Advanced Study (UBIAS), a global network of similar institutes drawn from all over the world. The JIAS Advisory Board comprises men and women of great distinction, accomplishment and expertise drawn from various academic fields and other sectors of society.The Director will be responsible for directing and shaping the future of JIAS. To this end, the Director should be of the highest scholarly caliber, with a research, ideation, and/or innovation portfolio, preferably in the fields of the Humanities, Technology, Social Sciences and/or Natural Sciences. The Deputy Director should be astute with respect to driving policy, and with a passion for teaching, postgraduate student training, and supervision. The Director should also have a national and international network of collaborators, and the ability to expand and foster new partnerships as well as ensure the financial self-sustainability of the Institute.
The Director will be expected to:
- Determine, articulate, implement and lead the development of intellectual content for JIAS activities, further advancing JIAS nationally, regionally, and internationally in accordance with its strategic objectives including enhancing UJ’s Global Excellence and Stature.
- Expend the reach profile of JIAS in South Africa, on the African Continent, as well as globally through the building and strengthening of relationships.
- Serve as liaison between JIAS and important stakeholders in the academic and research community, the state, and other sectors in society business.
- Contribute towards other UJ academic programmes, including curriculum development, supervision of postgraduate students, and hosting postdoctoral research fellows.
- Contribute towards the generation of new knowledge and thought leadership through an active research and media profile.
- Ensure the financial self-sustainability of the JIAS through networking and fundraising (in conjunction with the UJ’s Development Office).
- Ensure effective and efficient management of the JIAS research cost centres, finances, and other resources; and
- Effectively manage academic, administrative, and professional support staff, including staff and visiting academic recruitment, development, and retention.
Minimum requirements
The requirements will also be used to determine appointability at the level of full or associate professor:
- A Doctoral qualification, with a substantive research portfolio or significant professional experience.
- Professional networking and fundraising experience, and an ability to work productively with partners.
- Ability to conduct and direct research and communicate ideas to a range of stakeholders.
- A track record of successfully securing both national and international funding in thematic areas of Pan-African and global importance.
- A track record of successful postgraduate student and postdoctoral supervision.
- A track record of leadership, governance, organisational management, administration, and financial management.
- Experience in communications will be an added advantage.
- Rated by the National Research Foundation (NRF) or meets the criteria for NRF rating in the South African system (incumbent will be required to apply if not rated; see https://www.nrf.ac.za/rating).
Your application, comprising of a detailed Curriculum Vitae as well as the names and full contact details (including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses) of at least three traceable and credible referees must be uploaded before or on the closing date of the advertised post. Please also attach the following: a copy of your highest academic qualification, proof of registration with professional bodies you might belong to and if applying for an academic position, a list of accredited research output and/ or a portfolio of your creative output.
If you require technical support / assistance on the UJ e-recruitment website, please contact our service provider PNET on the following contact details: 0861 227337/010 140 3099 or email ujsupport@pnet.co.za
Candidates may be subjected to appropriate psychometric testing and other selection instruments.
In conjunction to merit on the basis of qualifications, experience and proven achievements the University of Johannesburg is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and those individuals from the historically disadvantaged groups. As necessitated by operational requirements the University reserves the right not to make an appointment to positions advertised. If you have not received a response from the University within 8 weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.
