Director: Office of Research Integrity (P5) (Research Development & Support Division)
Position Summary
Introduction
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan institution, guided by its bold UJ Strategy 2035, which emphasises Societal Impact and Sustainability, Global Footprint and Partnerships, and Technology for the Future. Committed to transformative change, UJ’s mission is “To transform and serve humanity through innovation and the collective and collaborative pursuit of knowledge.” The University is guided by the vision of building “An international university of choice, anchored in Africa and the global south, dynamically shaping a sustainable future".
Job description
“Please note that the University is obligated, in terms of recent amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 2021 (Act 13 of 2021), to assess all prospective employees (including applicants) against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). The outcome of such an assessment may have an impact upon possible employment with the University.
Research Development and Support (RDS) is one of the domains within the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Innovation Division. The domain is responsible for supporting and strengthening the University's research ecosystem through strategic, administrative, commercialisation, and innovation-related functions.
Job Description:
The Director: ORI is responsible for leading the strategic direction and daily operations of the research integrity program to foster a culture of responsible conduct of research, ethical conduct, and regulatory compliance across the institution. This role oversees, together with other structures, the response to allegations of research misconduct and other research integrity- and research ethics-related violations, ensuring fair, timely, and thorough inquiries and preliminary investigations in accordance with institutional policies.
The Director serves as a key advisor to leadership, faculty, and staff on complex integrity matters, including cyber challenges in the research landscape, providing expert guidance and developing proactive educational initiatives to prevent non-compliance. Ultimately, this position is charged with safeguarding the institution's research integrity and reputation by upholding the highest standards of honesty, accuracy, and transparency in all scholarly and scientific activities.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Policy Compliance:
- Provides leadership and vision for the institution's research integrity programs, aligning them with institutional goals and advising senior leadership on ethics and compliance matters.
- Develops, reviews, and implements research governance frameworks, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and institutional standards.
- Drives a risk-aware, integrity-focused research culture; continuously improves ORI processes and systems; proactively identifies and mitigates risks to research integrity.
Misconduct & Investigations Oversight:
- Assisting the Faculty and Senate Academic Misconduct Committees in conducting preliminary assessments following allegations of research misconduct and documenting all incoming cases.
- Assisting the Faculty and Senate Academic Misconduct Committees with inquiries into research misconduct, securing evidence, convening inquiry committees, and overseeing draft/final inquiry reports.
Education & Capacity Building:
- Designing and executing a comprehensive, institution-wide education program on Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), ethics, and compliance, including emerging topics like AI ethics.
- Developing and facilitating research integrity training to mitigate future misconduct risks.
- Create and deliver engaging training content (workshops, online modules) for all researchers, staff, and postgraduate students, while also providing one-on-one consultative mentorship on research design and regulatory navigation.
- Continuously assess the effectiveness of the ORI through surveys to inform policy development and institutional regulatory compliance practices.
Compliance & Stakeholder Relations:
- Proactively conduct verification checks for the University’s research output.
- Ensure adherence to institutional regulations by updating institutional research policies, filing mandatory research reports, and serving as liaison to external oversight bodies.
- Monitoring changes in research ethics and integrity within the internal and external environment.
- Manage risk and coordinate with the Office of the General Counsel and other University structures.
- Serve as primary liaison to external regulators, funders, and oversight agencies concerning research ethics and integrity. Build partnerships with Executive Deans, Faculty Research Ethics Committees, and university leadership.
- Provide expert guidance to faculty and researchers on complex research ethics, regulatory requirements, and compliance practices.
Minimum requirements
- Candidates must possess a relevant postgraduate qualification, PhD degree (NQF Level 10) in Research Ethics or Applied Ethics, or equivalent.
- A minimum of five (5) years’ experience working in a research integrity management environment.
- A minimum of five (5) to eight (8) years of management experience in a higher education or regulatory environment, with direct exposure to handling breaches of research integrity or research misconduct inquiries.
- A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in assessing or investigating breaches in research integrity (i.e., violation of good research practice, non-compliance, and research misconduct).
- A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in digital transformation and the cyber world regulatory landscape.
Recommendations:
- Membership with the Southern African Research & Innovation Management Association (SARIMA).
- Certification in responsible conduct of research.
Competencies and Behavioural Attributes:
- Professional and academic leadership, research ethics and research integrity.
- Proven knowledge of the higher education landscape.
- Digital transformation and cyber world regulatory landscape.
- Building networks and maintaining effective liaison with key stakeholders.
- Proven knowledge of research management.
- Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to navigate complex ethical and regulatory dilemmas.
Enquiries:
Enquiries regarding the job content: Prof Kanyane Modimowabarwa (Executive Director) on Tel: (011) 559 2911.
Enquiries regarding remuneration and benefits: Mr. Innocent Masoka (HCM Business Partner) on Tel: (011) 559 1531.
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.
Please note that the University is obligated, in terms of recent amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 2021 (Act 13 of 2021), to assess all prospective employees (including applicants) against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). The outcome of such an assessment may have an impact upon possible employment with the University.