Lecturer / Senior Lecturer (One Post) - Department of Statistics - Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Statistics at the University of Pretoria offers programs in Statistics to undergraduate and postgraduate students, mainly in two faculties, namely the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. The Department also presents several service statistical modules and courses in many departments and faculties of the University of Pretoria.  Over the years, the Department of Statistics at the University has become a leading statistics department in learning and teaching in South Africa. It also pursues a research-intensive profile with expertise in a number of fields; including statistical theory and methodology, time series analysis, statistical data science, computational statistics and model-based clustering, and biostatistical methodology and application. We are looking to recruit a suitably qualified individual who will enhance and complement our vibrant and robust teaching and learning as well as our research portfolios

The Department of Statistical has adopted several teaching and learning strategies using online and hybrid modes in addition to the traditional teaching modes.  We have enhanced our teaching programs to incorporate the very growing data science components. The department offers core modules, and it is expected from the incumbent to teach advanced-level statistical modules offered by the department. Thus, we are looking for an incumbent who will have an academic mandate including teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and supervising postgraduate students. The research mandate also requires an active research program, producing accredited academic research outputs, and conference presentations. It will also be expected from the incumbent to build a strong internationally acclaimed research program.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The incumbent will be responsible for:
• Teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses;
• Mentoring and supervising postgraduate students;
• Actively conducting independent and collaborative research and publishing research outputs in accredited journals;
• Developing and/or expanding collaboration with academics internationally;
• Initiating and delivering specialist courses at national and international levels;
• Actively participating in administrative duties within the Department.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Lecturer:

• A Master’s degree in Statistics that includes a credit-bearing research dissertation and credit-bearing coursework consisting of core components that align with the required responsibilities of the incumbent;
• An indication of an emerging research career with evidence of accredited publications in core components of the discipline contributing to the literature and scientific field of statistics; at least one recent publication in statistics in an accredited peer viewed journal;
• Enrolled for a PhD degree in Statistics with proof of significant progress with the study;
• Evidence of papers presented at national conferences;
• Proven competency and experience are required in:
• Teaching statistics modules and courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels as a lecturer;
• Advanced knowledge of at least one major statistical software programming language;
• Implementation of efficient teaching models that would be applicable in the university setting.

Senior Lecturer (same as for Lecturer, PLUS):

• A Doctoral degree in Statistics;
• Proven record of curriculum development at the undergraduate and postgraduate level or other specialized professional courses;
• Evidence of papers presented at national and international conferences;
• Proven research publications in accredited journals, of which at least two in the mainstream statistical journals;
• Proven practice of advanced fundamental and applied statistical methodology;
• Proven record of supervision of postgraduate statistical students;
• Evidence of supporting and participating in academic citizenship.

 
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):
Business acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations;

Results orientated:

• The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals and work to achieve success;
• The ability to stick with tasks and overcome obstacles in completing tasks; o Be reliable, responsible and dependable in fulfilling obligations;
• The ability to deal calmly and effectively with conflict situations;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills:
• The ability to function with ease in the UP's environment;

Leadership:

• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together;
• The ability to manage diverse teams and ensure a sustainable outcome;
• Recognized by peers as a scholar of high academic standing.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• For both Lecturer and Senior lecturer level: Evidence of the relevance, impact and contribution of current research projects to the discipline of Mathematical Statistics/Statistics;
• For Senior lecturers an NRF rating.