Associate Professor/Professor & Deputy Dean – Research & Postgraduate Studies

About the role

The University of Pretoria invites applications for a senior academic appointment as Associate Professor/Professor and Deputy Dean for Research and Postgraduate Studies within the Faculty of Theology and Religion. This term‑appointment role combines high‑level research leadership with strategic oversight of postgraduate programmes.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the faculty’s research strategy and postgraduate agenda.
• Oversee the quality and administration of all postgraduate programmes, ensuring compliance with university policies.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations and external research partnerships at national and international levels.
• Mentor and support academic staff and postgraduate students in research design, funding acquisition, and scholarly publishing.
• Contribute to the faculty’s governance as Deputy Dean, participating in budgeting, policy formulation, and staff development.

Required profile

• Established record of scholarly research with significant publications in theology, religion or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in academic leadership, preferably at senior faculty level.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equality and the development of inclusive postgraduate environments.
• Experience supervising postgraduate research and securing external research funding.

Required skills

• Research management and strategic planning.
• Academic programme development and quality assurance.
• Leadership and team coordination.
• Effective communication with internal and external stakeholders.

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape research direction in a leading South African university.
• Access to extensive research infrastructure, including the Future Africa Platform.
• Supportive academic community with a strong focus on impact‑driven scholarship.
• Term‑appointment contract with competitive remuneration aligned with university policies.