Position Summary

Campus: Auckland Park Kingsway Campus
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: Open to all
Level: Skilled

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

The Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology is proud to be one of a few standalone Botany departments at universities in South Africa. In terms of teaching, the Department is one of the few departments offering all the three core disciplines of Botany, i.e. Plant Taxonomy, Plant Anatomy, and Plant Physiology, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In addition, we offer applied fields such as Biotechnology and Molecular Biology. Furthermore, we also present Life Sciences to BEd students registered in the Faculty of Education. Our research focuses on several aspects including anatomy, biotechnology, chemotaxonomy, DNA barcoding, ethnobotany, medicinal plants, plant defence responses, post-harvest physiology, plant taxonomy, and systematics. The Department hosts two SARCHi chairs, one in Indigenous Plant Use and the other in Sustainable Post-harvest and Agroprocessing Technologies, with an additional UJ Research Centre in DNA Barcoding (African Centre for DNA Barcoding).
 
The New Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) is a Department of Higher Education and Training nationally funded programme that involves recruiting a new cohort of young academics. The programme is transformative in nature and priority is given to designated candidates. Candidates must be 40 years and younger. The programme enables nGAP appointments to benefit from teaching and research development opportunities and requires the incumbent to register for their PhD or postdoctoral studies.
 
The appointee will present lectures in Botany and related fields, attract research funding and actively conduct research in the field of indigenous knowledge-based innovation, supervise postgraduate students and be involved in administration, additional lecturing when needed and other activities of the Department, Faculty and the Institution.
 
Responsibilities:
 
In line with the Department of Higher Education and Training's New Generation Academic Programme (nGAP), the Department of Botany and Pant Biotechnology seeks to appoint a Lecturer in the Department on a permanent contract. The incumbent should be a high calibre scholar/practitioner and innovative thinker who will help to build the Department’s profile and standing nationally and internationally. We are seeking an exceptionally motivated, qualified, and ambitious aspirant South African academic to contribute to, and expand, the Faculty's current teaching and research interests/specialisations.
 
The successful candidate shall be required to:
 
  • Establish a research niche in Indigenous Knowledge-based Technology Innovation, attract research funding and train postgraduate students.
  • Conduct research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and deliver conference papers.
  • Obtain a PhD in the required field, if not already held.
  • Lecture undergraduate and postgraduate students in Botany related subjects, including IKS, plant biodiversity, etc.
  • Direct and develop practicals at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Botany related subjects.
  • Develop course material over time for undergraduate and postgraduate modules required in the Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology.
  • Be actively involved in core activities of the department including, but not limited to, academic administration, research and funding, short-course development, marketing, and community projects.

Minimum requirements

  • MSc (minimum 70% average) specialising in Botany and related fields of Plant Science.
  • Research track record in Plant Science through conference contributions.
  • Excellent communication skills in English
 
Competencies and Behavioural Attributes:
 
 
  • Written and verbal English communication skills.
  • Good planning, organisational and time management skills.
  • Computer literacy skills and some experience with the integration of ITC in teaching and learning, e.g. Blackboard and Moodle.
  • Teaching and motivational skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills that support collaboration with others and working as a team member.
  • Analytical thinking
 
Recommendations:
 
  • PhD degree specialising in Botany and related fields of Plant Science.
  • Research track record through publications.
  • Experience in postgraduate supervision.
  • Teaching experience at a Higher Education institution.
  • Experience in organizing and managing undergraduate practicals and student assistants or tutors.
  • Engagement with the scholarship of teaching, e.g. teaching evaluation or relevant portfolio.
  • Innovative teaching techniques incorporating technology.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability/experience to work with a multidisciplinary team.
  • Ability to perform research, teaching and administration simultaneously.
  • Valid driver’s licence and recent regular driving experience.
  • Ability to develop new undergraduate and postgraduate modules.
 
Enquiries:
 
Enquiries regarding the job content: Prof E Venter on Tel: (011) 559 3911
Enquiries regarding remuneration & benefits: Mr Lubabalo Mgedezi (HCM Business Partner) on Tel: (011) 559 3892/3010

 

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.

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.

For more information, please review the following link: Justice/Criminal/NRSO.

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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.

 

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