Open Positions at University of the Witwatersrand

Brief Description        

• The Faculty of Health Sciences is looking for a qualified candidate to serve as Head of the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. This School is integral to training health science students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the faculty. This leadership role offers an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and energetic individual to lead the school into a new era of excellence, impact, and focus on teaching and research.
• As Head of the School of Clinical Medicine, you will have the chance to shape the future of healthcare education and research, collaborating with a dynamic team to enhance the school's relevance and effectiveness in the field.
• The candidate must have a strong background in clinical medicine and experience in academic leadership, research, and administration is required.

Responsibilities:

• The Head of the School will be responsible for providing the academic vision and leadership required to enable the school to establish and maintain a position of excellence within the University, GDOH, and in the wider educational context.  
• This will involve the oversight of all academic activities inclusive of teaching and research at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and student-related and administrative matters within the school, including human resources, financial management, and general administration. The Head of School will need to be involved in strategic engagement with the Gauteng Department of Health (GDOH) and all the academic hospital training facilities and build and maintain productive relationships with all relevant stakeholders in the Health Sector.
• The Head of School will be responsible for the development and promotion of academic excellence within the cluster and school to maintain the position of excellence and diversity.

Qualifications and Experience: 

• A specialist medical degree in an appropriate discipline and at least 10 years of experience in university administration at a senior level are essential requirements, and a PhD or strong research background and scientific publication record. The person should currently hold the position of Adjunct Professor/Associate Professor/Professor.
• The applicant must have excellent leadership, interpersonal, and managerial skills and should have attained sufficient academic and professional standing to command the respect of the members of the School.  
• The successful candidate will be appointed as Head for a fixed term of 5 years, which is renewable for another 5-year period subject to the applicable policy of the Faculty of Health Sciences.  Should the appointee be from outside the University, the appointee will be transferred to a continuous academic post at an appropriate level within the appropriate discipline, at the end of the successful term/s of office.

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Brief Description        

• The Division of Pulmonology in the Department of Internal Medicine invites suitably qualified Joint staff interested in being part of a dynamic, growing academic division to apply for this Academic Headship.
• This position would be suitable for those with a commitment to academic excellence and educational leadership in a multi-disciplinary environment, exceptional interpersonal skills, capacity for innovative and original thinking, ability to exercise a high degree of personal initiative in organising their own responsibilities and a commitment to working to deadlines calmly and efficiently.

Qualifications:

• A medical qualification, registerable with the HPCSA,
• The candidate must be a specialist in Pulmonology and a full-time employee within the Wits Teaching platform (Current employees and Joint staff).
• At least five years' experience as a Pulmonologist,
• At least five years’ experience at the mid-management level,
• Appropriate teaching and research experience are essential requirements for the position, whereas a PhD would be advantageous.
• The applicant must have demonstrated well-developed, proven communication, organisational, problem-solving, leadership and project management skills.
• Must have the ability to manage change in the division.
• Management experience, in particular academic activities of postgraduate and undergraduate students, is a requirement,
• Be at least at the level of Adjunct or Associate Professor, or qualify to be awarded the academic title, although other Pulmonologists not meeting all the above criteria may apply as well.

 Duties:

• Lead and manage the discipline across all training facilities,
• Formulate an academic vision and designs and execute both undergraduate and post-graduate teaching in line with the vision,
• Strengthen research in the division of Pulmonology,
• Provide tools and create an academic environment for optimal teaching and training for all categories of staff (academic and professional) and students, both under – and postgraduate,
• Set teaching, training, and research goals in collaboration with other members of the academic and clinical service staff,   
• Formulates assessment tools for all academic programmes,
• Benchmark academic outputs against national performance and identify opportunities to approve,
• Collaborate with clinical heads in improving academic outputs,
• Establish and maintain academic excellence,
• Promote staff development and manage staff performance and assessment within the division,
• Mentor academic and professional staff for promotion in the university,
• Provide support to the divisions that are part of the department,
• Work with divisional heads to ensure sound financial and Human Resources Management,
• Encourage collaboration between divisions working across the teaching platforms,
• Chairs academic meetings in the division,
• Attend divisional meetings at each of the academic training facilities,
• Attend division/departmental/faculty and University committee meetings,
• Participate in Faculty Board meetings,
• Contribute to the leadership by participating in the management structures,

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BIOKINETICS INTERNSHIP  2025 - (TWO POSITIONS)

• The Wits Department of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine is accredited for two positions, for Intern Biokineticist.
• Candidates who have or will be completing their Honours degree in Biokinetics and are interested in completing their internships in an environment that nurtures teaching and learning in all fields of Biokinetics, are invited to submit applications.

Brief Description        

• The positions are full-time, one-year contracts.
• Interested candidates who would like to apply must submit the following by: Friday, 7th October 2024
•  A letter of motivation indicating reasons for wanting to complete their internship at Wits
• An updated detailed CV which should include involvement with sport and community service
• Undergraduate results (certified copies) and latest postgraduate (Hons) results
• Two references - and we encourage one to be from the Department where the biokinetics honours degree is being undertaken

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Brief Description        

• The University seeks to appoint a visionary leader of the Wits Mining Institute on a five-year fixed-term contract.  
• A possible renewal for a second five-year term will be dependent on performance and availability of funding.  
• A suitably qualified person will fill the vacant position of Director of the Wits Mining Institute at a Senior Lecturer or Adjunct Professor level.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• A PhD in an area of research aligned to the objectives of the Institute and extensive experience in fund-raising are a requirement.  
• Other advantages that would be considered include – Registration as a Professional Engineer or Professional Natural Scientist; a good track record demonstrating financial acumen;  a good publication track record; supervision and/or examination of postgraduate MSc and PhD students; experience in developing and maintaining strong links with partners, nationally/internationally/within the university systems and industry; appropriate stature with the university community and the wider community in the field. 

DUTIES:

• Leading and directing the Institute research activities.  
• Provide oversight and support to the various Research Centres within the Institute.  
• Liaising with Schools and Faculties within the University, external funders, donors, enterprises, and institutions including setting up and managing contractual arrangements.  
• Taking responsibility for the funding and sustainability of the Institute as a wholly externally funded entity.  
• Managing the finances of the Institute and ensuring that funds received from any sources are used for the purpose which they were provided for.
• Compiling reports on the activities of the Institute for various stakeholders, including partners and University Committees.  
• Ensuring adherence to acceptable accounting practices and submit any or all of the financial activities of the Institute to audit whenever appropriate.
• Drawing together researchers from multiple disciplines and contributing to leading-edge research.
• Identifying and addressing real challenges facing the mining industry.
• Playing an advocacy role for the Institute inside the University, as well as externally. 

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Brief Description        
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicants should hold a relevant PhD with evidence of significant professional and/or scholarly achievements and a strong research profile.
• The successful appointee will be of high national and international standing, posses advanced leadership and managerial skills and demonstrate ability to co-ordinate the academic and professional vision of the constituent disciplines.
• Evidence of management at academic positions would be an advantage.
• South African citizens and permanent residents currently employed in academia must be in possession of a National Research Foundation (NRF) rating (https://www.nrf.ac.za/rating/).
• Professional registration, or eligibility for international applicants is recommended.
• The Head will be expected to provide academic vision and leadership to the School. S/he will be expected to develop and maintain the reputation of research and teaching excellence.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for building and maintaining strong relations with industry.
• S/he will be responsible for ensuring that academic and administrative systems and processes operate effectively, and the School meets its Faculty’s strategic goals by participating in University-wide decision-making processes.
• The successful candidate is also expected to provide leadership towards initiatives for fund-raising and providing support for special projects, research or development projects within the School.
• The standard contractual period of employment is 5-years, after which the candidate may seek another term or be integrated into an appropriate teaching and research position in the School.
• If the appointee is an existing member of the permanent staff, s/he will revert to her/his previous academic position.

DUTIES: 

• To provide academic vision and leadership to the school. 
• To develop and maintain the reputation of research and teaching excellence.
•  To manage academic and support staff recruitment, evaluation, and professional growth, promoting diversity and inclusion.
• To develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with industry partners, government agencies, and other academic institutions.
•  To create an inclusive and supportive environment for students, promoting their academic success and well-being.
• To manage the school’s budget, allocating resources effectively to support teaching research, administration and infrastructure needs.
• To raise external funding and support for special projects within the school. • To represent the school within the university and at professional conferences. Enquiries: Professor Thokozani Majozi; Executive Dean:

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Brief Description        

• The School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering invites applications from suitably qualified candidates who possess a first degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering (with a major in extractive metallurgy), as well as a relevant PhD degree, for appointment as Professor or Associate Professor in the field of extractive metallurgical engineering with a focus on hydrometallurgy.
• The aim of this position is to take over the work and legacy of the DSI/NRF SARChI: Hydrometallurgy and Sustainable Development Chair which is focused on hydrometallurgy and hosted within the school.
•  The successful candidate will be expected to lead research in both fundamental topics, innovation and applications in line with the scope of the Chair.
•  The candidate will also carry out undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in metallurgical engineering with a focus on hydrometallurgy.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• First degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering (with a major in extractive metallurgy), as well as a relevant PhD degree are a requirement for appointment as Professor / Associate Professor in the field of extractive metallurgical engineering with a focus on hydrometallurgy.
•  A reasonable period of experience in a research capacity will be required with evidence of research output and supervision of postgraduate students to completion.  
• The field of specialization is in hydrometallurgy, and the successful candidate will be encouraged to grow the research group within the school and create links with industry partners.  
• The successful candidate will be encouraged to pursue further training in higher education.  
• Registration as a professional engineer (Pr.Eng.) and NRF-rating will be strongly encouraged particularly for local applicants.

DUTIES:

• The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate expertise in subjects comprising metallurgical engineering and the ability to:
• Teach both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Engage in continuous development of the programme, adapting it to the ever-changing challenges facing the university or society.
• Undertake research in the area of hydrometallurgy in a productive manner and publish research papers in accredited journals.
• Expand existing and initiate new research programmes, raise and manage funds from national and international funding agencies and industry.
• Supervise postgraduate students at master’s and doctoral level qualifications in metallurgical engineering.
• Undertake assigned school duties of an administrative nature.

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Brief Description        

• Research Professor in The Faculty of Health Sciences (fixed-term, 5 years, renewable based on performance) - AC05/AC06.
• The Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, seeks to appoint a Research Professor/Senior Clinician Scientist. The focus of the researcher  can be in any of the following fields:
• Cardiology with special focus on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Prevention.
• Endocrinology with a special focus on Obesity and Diabetes.
• Immunology, with a focus on cellular immunity in relation to infectious diseases or more broadly.
• Lung disease: including focus on childhood and/or adult acute or chronic respiratory diseases.
• Oncology, preferably with a focus on nexus of Cancer and Infectious Diseases.
• Maternal and Child Health including focus on addressing stillbirths and premature labour.
• Infectious Diseases: including focus on antimicrobial resistance and hospital acquired infections; emerging infections and pandemic threats.
• In addition, applicants who are involved in research, excluding HIV and TB, on other health-care priorities in South Africa will be considered (.
• The focus of the Position is to strengthen leadership in clinical research and teaching (undergraduate and post-graduate level).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In the consideration of applications for the professorship, the main emphasis will be on the applicant's ability to document a high level of original scientific work at an international level within their field of expertise.

The professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Research in the field of expertise, including publication/academic dissemination.
• Research leadership, including guidance and supervision of PhD and Masters of Medicine students and other researchers, including Joint staff employed by the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH).
• Teaching of under-graduate and post-graduate students (maximum of 15% effort).
• Academic assessments
• The position is open to internal and external applicants.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicants must hold a specialist degree in their relevant field of study. A sub-specialty qualification will be preferable.
• A PhD although not essential, will be given appropriate weight.                         
• Applicants must be at the level of or meet the requirements to be appointed at least at the level of  associate professor based on Faculty Staffing and Promotion criteria
• South African based applicants should be registered by the Health Professional Council of South Africa. Non-South Africans will be considered, although will be exempt from patient service.
• Applicants should be eligible for appointment at the level of a Full Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand (or on track to be promoted within a three-year period).

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Brief Description        

• Emerging Clinician Scientists and Emerging Scientists in The Faculty of Health Sciences (fixed-term, 5 years, renewable based on performance) - AC05.
• The Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, seeks to appoint a Clinician Scientist or Scientist with a strong clinical research focus. The focus of the researcher  can be in any of the following fields:
• Cardiology with special focus on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Prevention.
• Endocrinology with a special focus on Obesity and Diabetes.
• Oncology, preferably with a focus on nexus of Cancer and Infectious Diseases.
• Immunology, with a focus on cellular immunity in relation to infectious diseases or more broadly.
• Lung disease: including focus on childhood and/or adult acute or chronic respiratory diseases.
• Maternal and Child Health including focus on addressing stillbirths and premature labour.
• Infectious Diseases: including focus on antimicrobial resistance and hospital acquired infections; emerging infections and pandemic threats.
• In addition, applicants who are involved in research, excluding HIV and TB, on other health-care priorities in South Africa will be considered.
• The focus of the Position is to build  leadership in clinical research and teaching (undergraduate and post-graduate level), and to give enthusiastic emerging researchers the opportunity to further their skills and expertise in their research niche with the objective of becoming independent and internationally recognized within a five year period.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In the consideration of applications for the position, the main emphasis will be on the applicant's having demonstrated research productivity and ability to document the beginning of original scientific work in  their field of expertise.

The individuals  responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Research in the field of expertise, including publication/academic dissemination.
• Supervision of PhD and Masters of Medicine students and other researchers, including Joint staff employed by the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH).
• Teaching of under-graduate and post-graduate students (maximum of 15% effort –only applicable if 100%FTE).
• Academic assessments
• The position is open to internal and external applicants.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicants must hold a PhD or have a publication record which would be at the level of  Medical Doctorate. For Clinician Scientists, a sub-specialty qualification will be preferable.                         
• Applicants must be at the level of or meet the requirements to be appointed at the level of senior lecturer/researcher based on Faculty Staffing and Promotion criteria.
• Applicants should be registered by the Health Professional Council of South Africa. Non-South African will be considered, although will be exempt from patient service.
• Applicants should be on track to be promoted to Reader/Associate Professor within a three-year period
• if not already holding such a position.

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Brief Description        
Your Role:

• We are looking for a suitably qualified professional with a wide range of skills in both traditional cinematic modalities and new media technologies which include the following:
• Immersive Technologies - practical and theoretical teaching in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed reality (MR)
• 2D Traditional filmmaking and televisual storytelling practices which includes an understanding of experimental and avant-garde approaches.
• Virtual Production workflows and on-set practice and CGI software applications (e.g. 3D Software, Unreal Engine)
• Interactive filmmaking 
• The successful candidate will oversee the department’s (VR), (AR) and MR specialties and will be required to teach and supervise students in film practice and theory across various areas including experimental filmmaking and other visual storytelling paradigms. 
• Teaching and research responsibilities include discursive and technical aspects of filmmaking. Active participation in new curricula development and course materials is also required for the Bachelor of Film and Television (BAFT) Degree offered by the Wits School of Arts. 
• Along with academic responsibilities, the position requires administrative duties at departmental/school level and an active engagement in creative and/or scholarly research output.

Qualifications, experience and attributes

• A minimum of a MA/MFA degree is required while a PhD or substantial progress towards a doctoral degree is beneficial. Applicants without doctoral degrees are expected to submit their PhDs for examination within three years of appointment. A combined tertiary teaching and industry experience of no less than 4 years is a requirement for the post. Preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from designated groups which includes people of colour and womxn as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998.

The candidate appointed to the post should be:

• Familiar with immersive technology hardware and production workflows (e.g. VR headsets, 360 cameras, spatial audio equipment, post-production and delivery requirements).
• Have an ability to effectively share knowledge with students.
• Have strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Possess excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of implementing inclusive approaches in teaching.
• Be a team player within the department, but also be invested in cross-disciplinary explorations within the School of Arts.
• Be interested in developing their academic career with further academic study, and/or research scholarly or practice-based research.
• Be well-suited to postgraduate supervision of research and student productions.

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Brief Description        
About the position

• The Associate Researcher will be employed by the African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS) at Wits University and supervised by Associate Professor Jo Vearey
• This is a 24 month (2 year) contract position

Key responsibilities:

Research Coordination

• The Associate Researcher work closely with the research group manager (University of Essex) and a research coordinator based at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
• The Associate Researcher will be responsible for the coordination of GEMMS research activities taking place in South Africa and Zimbabwe, involving the practical and ethical concerns, and their theoretical implications.

Key tasks will include:

• Coordinate research activities and reporting in South Africa and Zimbabwe for all three workstreams. 
• Work closely with the ACMS Finance Officer and Operations Manager to ensure all financial and administrative processes are developed and implemented correctly and in line with ACMS and Wits requirements
• Responsibility for all administrative processes including:
• Coordinating team meetings, including organising meeting agendas, invitations, managing RSVPs, setting up meetings, booking venues/organising virtual meetings, arranging necessary transport, accommodation and refreshments
• Managing day-to-day financial administration, including reconciliation processes associated with clearing cash advances; organising subsistence/similar payments
• Collating information required for NIHR reporting
• Oversight of budget, expenditure and forecasting and working with the ACMS operational staff team to ensure timeous reporting to NIHR as required
• Coordinate fieldwork in South Africa and Zimbabwe to ensure that it is planned and implemented efficiently
• Coordinate fieldwork reports
• Coordinate research reports
• Coordinate the local/regional technical advisory groups. This includes:
• Maintaining database of members and ensuring terms of reference are signed and filed
• Regular communication of project updates to TAG members
• Coordinating TAG meetings, including organising meeting agendas, invitations, managing RSVPs, setting up meetings, booking venues/organising virtual meetings, arranging necessary transport, accommodation and refreshments
• Participating in TAG meetings, including taking minutes and circulating to TAG members

  Research Ethics Coordination

• The Associate Researcher work with the GEMMS ethics lead ( Jo Vearey) to coordinate with the implementation of an ethics and risk management programme within the project

Key tasks will include:

• Support institutional leads in obtaining research ethics clearance.
• Support to Jo Vearey with Wits ethics applications
• Tracking research ethics clearance processes across all institutions
• Keeping copies of applications and certificates on file
• Support the Wits research team by coordinating the management of Wits ethics processes during fieldwork

    Communication and Dissemination Coordination

• Support implementation of the GEMMS communication and dissemination strategy in the Southern African context

Key tasks will include:

• Working with the GEMMS Manager and the Research Coordinator in India to support implementation of the GEMMS communication and dissemination strategy across all institutional partners
• Coordinate implementation of the GEMMS communication and dissemination strategy in South Africa and Zimbabwe
• Ensure regular communication of project updates to TAG members
• Engaging with the media

Essential qualifications and experience:

• Familiarity with Wits and ACMS administrative systems
• Experience in international research collaborations and partnership building
• Experience in coordinating research projects, including in coordination of logistics, budgets and reporting
• Fluency in English
• A Masters degree
• A demonstrated ability to work independently and excellent time management
• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, including with partners based in other countries/institutions
• An ability to travel outside Johannesburg and to other countries required for fieldwork and/or project meetings

Desirable qualifications and experience:

• Familiarity with NIHR reporting mechanisms
• Familiarity with research in the field of migration, health, gender and violence in South Africa, Zimbabawe, India and Cambodia
• Familiarity with the global migration and health governance terrain
• Knowledge of and research in the global migration and health governance terrain
• A PhD in Migration & Displacement, Health Sociology, Public Health or an associated discipline

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Brief Description        
The Department of African Languages at the University of the Witwatersrand is seeking to make an appointment at the level of Associate Professor (to start on 1 January 2025). 

Requirements: 

• Experience in teaching language policy, and language planning. 
• Be an established researcher with a strong publication record in one or more of these fields, preferably with a rational profile in the field.
• Ability to teach Sesotho and/or isiZulu second language (L2) acquisition courses.
• A PhD in any area of sociolinguistics and language policy.
• The ability to introduce comparative language policy studies will be an added advantage. 
• A strong record in postgraduate research supervision.
• A demonstrated and sustained record of academic leadership and administration.
• Home language proficiency in an indigenous South African language, with fluency in any two of the following: Nguni, Sotho, XiTsonga, and TshiVenda.

Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be required to:

• Teach at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• Supervise postgraduate student research in one or more indigenous languages (preferably in isiZulu and/or Sesotho).
• Conduct research and publish in the field of African languages.
• Carry out administrative duties in the department/school and take part in the intellectual and public life of the university.
• Participate in curriculum development activities.