Associate Professor & Academic Head of Department (Geology)

About the role

The University of the Free State seeks a distinguished scholar to join the Department of Geology as an Associate Professor/Professor on a permanent basis, while also leading the department as Academic Head for an initial five‑year contract. This dual appointment combines high‑level teaching, research, and strategic leadership to elevate the department’s national and international standing.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver undergraduate and postgraduate courses and supervise MSc and PhD candidates.
• Publish original research in peer‑reviewed journals and present findings at conferences.
• Secure external research funding from national and international agencies.
• Provide academic and operational leadership, develop curricula, and drive teaching excellence.
• Strengthen research performance, increase third‑stream income, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Lead staff development, succession planning, and transformation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation, quality assurance, and institutional policies.

Required profile

• Doctoral degree in Geology or a closely related discipline (SAQA‑accredited for foreign qualifications).
• Demonstrated record of scholarly publications and successful grant acquisition.
• Experience supervising postgraduate research at master’s and doctoral levels.
• Proven academic leadership or senior administrative experience in a university setting.
• Strong commitment to teaching excellence, research innovation, and community engagement.

Required skills

• Academic leadership and strategic planning.
• Research funding acquisition.
• Curriculum development and teaching.
• Supervision of postgraduate research.

What we offer

• Permanent academic appointment with a five‑year contract for the headship, renewable based on performance.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art laboratory facilities and research support.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and international partnerships.
• Competitive remuneration package in line with university scales.