Associate Professor – Mechanical Engineering

About the role

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Nelson Mandela University seeks an Associate Professor to provide academic leadership in teaching, research, and postgraduate supervision. The role involves delivering high‑quality undergraduate and postgraduate programmes while advancing the department’s research profile.

Key responsibilities

• Design and deliver innovative teaching using blended, problem‑based, and research‑led approaches.
• Coordinate modules, ensure quality assurance, moderation and continuous improvement of assessments.
• Lead curriculum development and align programmes with national accreditation standards (e.g., ECSA, CHE).
• Maintain a strong record of peer‑reviewed publications and secure external research funding.
• Supervise Masters and Doctoral candidates, develop research training frameworks, and mentor emerging researchers.
• Establish and sustain industry, professional body, and community partnerships for engaged scholarship.

Required profile

• Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• In‑depth expertise in advanced welding and manufacturing technologies, specifically solid‑state welding and its characterization (e.g., Small Punch Creep Testing).
• Demonstrated research leadership with peer‑reviewed publications and experience applying for national/international research ratings.
• Proven ability to obtain external research grants and lead interdisciplinary projects.
• Experience supervising postgraduate research to successful completion.

Required skills

• Solid State Welding
• Small Punch Creep Testing
• Advanced Welding Technologies
• Manufacturing Technologies

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape the future of mechanical engineering education and research.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art laboratory facilities.
• Support for research funding and professional development.