Job Opportunities at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:

•    Conduct innovative research in the following areas: Phytomedicine (antioxidants, antidiabetic, anticancer, antiulcer etc.) and Phytopharmacology (liver, kidney, heart and brain function analysis). 
•    Author/co-author at least three (3) publication outputs per year in the form of DHET– accredited scholarly journal articles or books/chapters in books. The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and the submission of an annual progress report.
•    Initiate projects and seek funding for it.
•    Register and reside as postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the Directorate of Research.

Minimum Requirements:

•    The Fellowship is open to South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the UFS.
•    Graduated with a PhD degree in a relevant discipline within the last five years.
•    Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship.
•    Successful applicants must be able to relocate to the UFS (Qwaqwa campus) for the duration of the fellowship.
•    This is a residential fellowship: the successful applicant is required to spend 80% of her/his postdoctoral period at the UFS.

Value of the fellowship:

• R 240,000 annual fellowship.
• R 30,000 additional research expenses fund.

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Duties and responsibilities:

•     Perform research that can be submitted for publication.
•     Lecture undergraduate and postgraduate modules and develop curriculum and module materials where relevant or required.
•     Supervise postgraduate students. 
•     Participate in community engagement projects.
•     Serve on committees relevant to the department and partake in departmental activities. 
•     Engage with the broader statistical community.
•     Complete a Masters and PhD if not already completed. 
•     Complete actuarial studies if not completed.

Inherent Job Requirements:

Lecturer:

•     A Master's degree on NQF level 9 in Statistics or closely related field (for a permanent appointment)

or

•      B.Sc. Honours degree on NQF level 8 majoring in Actuarial Science (for a contract appointment: 5 years during which a Masters degree on NQF level 9 in Statistics or closely related field MUST be obtained to be converted into a permanent position).
•     A good academic record.
•     Must be an able programmer in one of R, SAS, Python, VB, Excel or equivalent statistical programming language, and willing to acquire additional skills according to the needs of the department.
•     Qualified or nearly qualified actuary at ASSA.

​​​​​Senior Lecturer:

•     A PhD on NQF level 10 in Statistics or closely related field  (for a permanent appointment) 

    or

•     A Master's degree on NQF level 9 in Statistics or closely related field  (for a contract appointment: 5 years during which a PhD on NQF level 10 in Statistics or closely related field MUST be obtained to be converted into a permanent position).
•     A good academic record.
•     Must be an able programmer in one of R, SAS, Python, VB, Excel or equivalent statistical programming language, and willing to acquire additional skills according to the needs of the department.
•     Qualified actuary and Fellow of ASSA.

Associate Professor:

•     A PhD on NQF level 10 in Statistics or closely related field (for a permanent appointment) 

    or

•     A Master's degree on NQF level 9  in Statistics or closely related field (for a contract appointment: 5 years during which a PhD on NQF level 10 in Statistics or closely related field MUST be obtained to be converted into a permanent position).
•     Must be an able programmer in one of R, SAS, Python, VB, Excel or equivalent statistical programming language, and willing to acquire additional skills according to the needs of the department.
•     Qualified actuary and Fellow of ASSA.
•     Experience as external examiner for masters and doctoral students.
•     Proven experience in the presentation of research papers.
•     Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of scholarship.
•     An NRF rating of C3 or equivalent status.
•     Proven experience in the supervision of graduated masters and PhD students.
•     A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international accredited 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.

Professor:

•     A PhD on NQF level 10 in Statistics or closely related field (for a permanent appointment) 

    or

•     A Master's degree on NQF level 9  in Statistics or closely related field (for a contract appointment: 5 years during which a PhD on NQF level 10 in Statistics or closely related field MUST be obtained to be converted into a permanent position).
•     Must be an able programmer in one of R, SAS, Python, VB, Excel or equivalent statistical programming language, and willing to acquire additional skills according to the needs of the department.
•     Qualified actuary and Fellow of ASSA.
•     Experience as external examiner for masters and doctoral students.
•     Proven experience in the presentation of research papers.
•     Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of scholarship.
•     Proven international recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a particular area of academic scholarship (e.g. regularly serves as a reviewer for international/lSI/IBSS journals).
•     An NRF rating of C1 or C2 or equivalent status.
•     Proven experience in the supervision of graduated masters and PhD students.
•     A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international accredited journals.
•     Serve as a member of an international scholarly society OR an international committee or agency concerned with research at higher education levels.

Recommendations:

•     Private sector experience in the insurance or banking industry.
•     Teaching experience.

Competencies
Key Competencies Required:

•     Results orientated:
  •    The ability to stick with tasks, not give up, and overcome obstacles in completing one’s task. 
  •     The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations. 
•     Strategic thinking:
  •     The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
  •     The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner. 
•     Business acumen:
  •     Ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
  •     Proficient in using MS Office.
•     Leading:
  •     The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
  •     The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm. 
•     Building coalitions:
  •     The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations. 
  •     The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.