Job Description

Title of Position

Professor

Post Number

8021820

Faculty/Department

University of the Western Cape -> Natural Sciences -> Mathematics and Applied Mathematics

Type of Position

Permanent - Full Time

Length of Contract Period

N/A

Location

Main Campus - Bellville, WC ZA (Primary)

Closing Date

30/9/2023

Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) enjoys national and international acclaim for its continuing contribution to democratic change in South Africa and for making quality education accessible to all South Africans and for developing centres of excellence of national importance. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and supportive Faculty dedicated to teaching and research, as well as to overall student development. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated and willing to make a significant contribution to the development of the Faculty.

The Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics is seeking to employ an established academic at the level of Full Professor in Applied Mathematics, in particular, Mathematical Biology and/or Computational Finance. Playing a key role in a research-intensive university, the Department balances its research agenda in both Pure and Applied Mathematics with the responsibility of teaching mathematics in the Faculty of Natural Sciences and undergraduate service courses across the university. It is expected that the appointee would bring experience, expertise and energy to this context.

The Department's active research programme covers the fields of Algebra, Topology, Coding Theory, Graph Theory, Category Theory, Optimal Control, Numerical Analysis, Mathematical Finance, Mathematical Biology and Mathematics Education. Opportunities also exist for inter-departmental collaboration in Bioinformatics, Data Science, Computational Finance, Physics, Cosmology and Astrophysics. Our postgraduate cohort comprises Honours, MSc and PhD students in the above research fields. Quality mathematics teaching at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels is central to the Department's mission. The module offering ranges from introductory calculus for underprepared students to second-year, third-year and honours level modules in both pure and applied mathematics.

Applications for the above position are invited from candidates who will contribute to and strengthen the Department's activities. We are seeking an enthusiastic individual with an affinity for both teaching and research who wishes to build an academic career in a collegial environment.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key responsibility areas:

• Facilitate learning at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
• Engage fully in the Department's research activities and demonstrate an excellent track record in research.
• Conduct research in Applied Mathematics, in particular, Mathematical Biology and/or Computational Finance.
• Establish a research programme and supervise postgraduate students at Honours, MSc and PhD levels
• Establish international partnerships and linkages.
• Participate in academic administration commensurate with this position.
• Undertake curriculum development and assessment.
• Undertake community engagement and outreach.

Minimum Requirements

• A PhD in Mathematics / Applied Mathematics
• Be an established researcher with a proven track record of research in Mathematical Biology and/or Computational Finance with sustained, independent research output.
• A track record of successful supervision of PhD students
• Demonstrate excellence in facilitating learning and teaching
• A track record of successful grant applications
• Demonstrate excellence in academic leadership
• Demonstrate excellence in the integration of community engagement with learning and teaching, and research.

Required competencies:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Adaptability and the ability to operate in a diverse environment
• Student focused approach
• Coaching and mentoring skills
• Planning and organising skills
• Computer literacy
• Technical professional knowledge and skills in the discipline and in the core strategic areas, namely learning and teaching, research and scholarship, community engagement as well as professional leadership.

Added advantage and preferences:

• An affinity for working with a diverse undergraduate student body will be an advantage.

A valid rating from the South African NRF will also be an advantage.

In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and also include anything else that you feel may be pertinent to the selection panel. Please attach your covering letter, a detailed curriculum vitae and highest qualification to your online profile. To be considered for this vacancy, you must click on the Apply for this Job link below or apply directly via UWC Careers at https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. For any queries, please contact the Human Resources Department at +27 21 959 4063/9763/9708/3551/3756 or email: e-recruitment@uwc.ac.za

EQUITY DISCLAIMER: In line with the University's commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with Employment Targets of the University. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.

University of the Western Cape