Job Description

The Department of Theatre and Performance in the Wits School of Arts seeks to appoint an Associate Lecturer to teach a curriculum embracing both practical and academic courses. This entry-level academic appointment is intended to support an emerging scholar-practitioner while they complete a higher degree and develop a sustainable academic career. We seek a dynamic individual with both practical and theoretical expertise to teach and supervise across undergraduate and honours levels. The successful candidate will contribute to senior Design and Theatre and Production courses in the BA and BA Honours programmes. Candidates must be able to deliver both conceptual and practice-based courses in theatre design and related disciplines.

Detailed Description

Key Responsibilities:

o Assist with undergraduate Design teaching (tutorials, studio support, demonstrations, occasional guided lectures).
o Research development toward a higher degree.
o Co-develop course outlines, compile reading materials, and support curriculum design.
o Monitor and report on student attendance, engagement, and academic progress.
o Provide student consultations related to assigned courses.
o Contribute to course assessments, including exams and submission of final marks.
o Supervise research at Honours levels.
o Participate in the department's creative practice and scholarly culture (e.g., showings, workshops) in ways that complement the appointee's study trajectory.
o Contribute minimal administrative/service duties directly tied to assigned courses.

Qualifications and Requirements:

1. MA in Theatre Design or a closely related discipline by the start date.(or, in exceptional cases, a strong Honours with an MA in progress).
2. A demonstrated trajectory toward MA or PhD (for candidates currently registered), evidenced by a clear study plan and supervisor endorsement.
3. Strong theoretical and practical grounding in theatre design, including set and costume design.
4. Proficiency in technical drawing, ground plans, elevations, perspective drawing, costume drawing, and digital rendering software.
5. A portfolio of creative work in set and costume design.
6. Interest in curriculum development aligned with Wits' decolonial and inclusive teaching commitments.

Advantageous:

o Completed MA with current PhD registration.
o Prior tutoring/teaching or studio facilitation at tertiary level.
o Prior industry experience as a theatre designer, including collaboration with production teams.
o Ability to manage small production budgets and basic procurement/quotations, with sound organisational and record-keeping skills.
o Competence in drawing/rendering (manual or digital) and willingness to upskill in departmental toolsets.

Appointment type & workload

o Fixed-term developmental appointment (up to 3 years, with possible 1-year extension subject to progress and recommendation).
o Indicative distribution: ~40% teaching & learning support, ~10% service (course-linked), ~50% higher-degree research/professional development.

Detailed Description

Job Requirements

Additional Details

How To Apply

To apply, submit a letter of motivation - clearly indicating which position you are applying for, detailed CV and the names and contact details of three referees (incl. e-mail addresses).

Internal employees are invited to apply directly on Oracle by following the path: iWits /Self Service application/

External applicants are invited to apply, by registering a profile on the Wits i-recruitment platform located at https://irec.wits.ac.za and submitting your application.

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WITS Employment Equity Policy: https://www.wits.ac.za/media/wits-university/footer/about-wits/transformation-office/documents/Policy%20-%20Employment%20Equity.pdf

Closing Date : 8th December 2025

Please note that only applications via the website will be considered for shortlisting.

By applying for this post the Applicant acknowledges that their personal information will be processed by the University. The Applicant, by their conduct in proceeding with an application for this position, gives their consent to the processing of their personal information as required by the University's Recruitment, Selection and Appointment Policy. Such processing includes logging their information on the University's recruitment systems, conducting necessary background and reference checks including disciplinary and/or criminal records, and disclosing their personal information to university employees identified to take part in the selection and recruitment process. The Applicant consents to any processing of their personal information as may be required. The confidentiality of the Applicant's personal information will be maintained.

The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University. The University retains the right not to make an appointment and to verify all information provided by candidates.

Please note that correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise.





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