Job Description

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PERMANENT ACADEMIC PERSONNEL FROM THE FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST.
KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: - 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).

Duties and responsibilities

• Identify and develop current and future research flagships of the faculty.
• Participate in all aspects of the core business of the faculty, but with specific reference to postgraduate students and research.
• Take co-responsibility with the Dean to ensure the achievement of the mission of all faculty-based programmes and initiatives.
• Take co-responsibility with the Dean to provide effective and appropriate research direction and to develop and implement the strategic mission of the faculty, within the broader University context, with a focus on postgraduate students and research.
• Take responsibility in securing strategic collaboration and third-stream income relating to postgraduate bursaries and research, including the large equipment strategy of the faculty.
• Take co-responsibility with the Dean in investigating and driving new funding opportunities for postgraduate students and research in the faculty
• Take co-responsibility with the Dean to over-see financial management and financial sustainability of research and postgraduate activities of the faculty.
• Chair the Higher Degrees and Research Committee of the Faculty.
• Take responsibility for all activities linked to postgraduate thesis and dissertation submissions and examinations of the faculty.
• Participate in community service pertaining to the postgraduate students and research portfolio.
• Participate in committees both at faculty and university level.
• Take responsibility for all activities linked to engaged scholarship and internalisation of the faculty.

Inherent Job Requirements

• A Doctoral degree on NQF level 10 within any of the disciplines of the Facutly.
• Experience at management level.
• Proven experience in forming networks and linkages between the UFS and industry.
• Proven experience with supervision of master's and PhD students.
• Proven evidence of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• NRF-rated scientist/eligible to apply for NRF-rating.
• Appointed at the level of an Associate Professor or full Professor at the University of the Free State.
• Proven record of research grant applications, management, and experience in third-stream income generation.

Recommendations

• Established leadership and team-building capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate, collaborate, communicate and facilitate in complex environments.
• Knowledgeable about the functioning of the Executive committee of a faculty.
• Analytical problem-solving skills with impeccable attention to detail.
• Ability to set an overall strategy and drive process improvement.
• Evidence of inter-faculty and inter-department collaborations.
• Ability to build relationships with and between faculty and UFS staff.

Competencies
Key Competencies Required:

• Results Orientated:

- 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.

• Strategic Thinking:

- The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.
- The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

• Business Acumen:

- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.

• Leading:

- The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
- The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

• Building Coalitions:

- The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
- The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.
Assumption of duties:
01 September 2025
Closing date:
25 June 2025
Allowance:
The value of the allowance is available on request.
Enquiries:
For enquiries, please contact 051 401 9329 or via email VermaakM@ufs.ac.za
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 Plan is available at:
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.