Job Description

Job Title
Associate Professor/Professor - Department of Curriculum Studies and Higher Education (Job ID: 6161)
Organizational Unit
University of the Free State -> Faculty of Education -> Department of Curriculum Studies and Higher Education
Contract Type
Permanent
Occupational Level
Middle Management
Location
Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date
22/6/2025
Description

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website:

https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll

- Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:

A detailed Curriculum Vitae. Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation). A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals). Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

Provide formal teaching for undergraduate as well as post-graduate programmes in the Department of Curriculum Studies and Higher Education. Act as a supervisor for postgraduate students in the faculty. Engage in the Work Integrated Learning Programme of the faculty (Teaching Practice). Ensure active involvement in research in Higher Education Studies specifically and Education generally and publish research articles in accredited national and international journals Active involvement in curriculum development relating to Higher Education Studies and Education in general. Apply for external funding grants for research and/or teaching and learning projects. Mentor and support junior colleagues in the department and faculty. Contribute to leadership and administrative tasks in the department and faculty.

Inherent requirements

Associate Professor:

A relevant Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 in Education with specialisation in the field of Higher Education Studies. Proven experience in research and/or teaching and learning management and capacity building. Experience as external examiner for postgraduate students. Proven experience in the presentation of research papers at national and international conferences, where there is evidence of peer review of papers. Act as an editorial board member and/or reviewer of high-quality national scholarly journals. Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of scholarship. An NRF rating or potential for rating. Proven experience in the supervision of graduated master's and/or doctoral students. A proven research record of relevant publications in accredited national and international journals. Serve as a member of a national scholarly society, OR a national committee or agency concerned with research at higher education levels, OR show evidence of service as an active member of an international equivalent. Proven experience in curriculum and/or programme development. Evidence of attracting research and/or training grants in the past 5-years. Proven experience in co-leading one or more engaged scholarship projects. At least five (5) years of relevant experience in a Higher Education Environment.

Professor:

A relevant Doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 in Education with specialisation in the field of Higher Education Studies. Proven experience in research and/or teaching and learning management and capacity building. Experience as external examiner for postgraduate Master's and/or Doctoral students. Proven experience in the presentation of research papers at national and international conferences, where there is evidence of peer review of papers. Act as an editorial member and/or reviewer of high-quality national scholarly journals. Proven international recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of scholarship (e.g., regularly serves as a reviewer for international/ISl/IBSS journals). An NRF rating or potential for rating. Demonstrated successful supervision of graduated master's and preferably doctoral students. Proven experience in delivering keynote addresses at national scholarly conferences. Serve as a member of a national scholarly society, OR a national committee or agency concerned with research at higher education levels, OR show evidence of service as an active member of an international equivalent. Proven experience in curriculum and/or programme development. Evidence of attracting external research and/or training grants in the past 5-years. Proven experience in leading one or more engaged scholarship projects. At least seven (7) years of relevant experience in a Higher Education Environment.

Recommendations:

Experience in the use of different research methodologies and/or data analysis tools Experience in grant writing and/or preparing research funding applications. Member of a or registration at a professional body Experience as a departmental leader/ manager in a higher education environment

Competencies

Required competencies:

Results oriented.

The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations. The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

o Strategic thinking.

The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner. The ability to plan work and to follow plans.

o Business Acumen:

Proficient in using MS Office. Good research and writing skills

o Leading.

The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others. The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

o Building coalitions

The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others. The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision

Assumption of duties:

1 October 2025

Closing date:

22 June 2025

Salary:

The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits:

(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 9814 or email MakolaCM@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2979 / 9813 / 9810 for assistance.

General:

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at :

EEA13_EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.