ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR/SENIOR LECTURER/LECTURER

The School of Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand invites applications from suitably-qualified candidates for 3 (THREE) vacancies. These tenure-track posts are available at Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer or Lecturer level and will commence on 1 January, 2013. The level of appointment and starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Requirements: The School of Geosciences is ranked in the top 1% of geosciences departments worldwide based on cited research (Essential Science Indicators, 2000-2010) and is the largest grouping of geoscientists in southern Africa, with strong multidisciplinary research programmes in Geology, Geophysics and Palaeontology covering many aspects of the internationally-renowned geology of South Africa and other parts of Africa. The advertised posts are in the geology division, which has a strong focus on hard rock geology, with particular reference to economic geology. In addition to world-leading research on the Bushveld Complex and its platinum mineralisation, current projects include the Witwatersrand Basin and Vredefort Impact Structure, Barberton Greenstone Belt, the Damara, Katangan and Lufillian Belts of Namibia and Zambia, and Archaean/Proterozoic cratons in West and Central Africa. New research opportunities are also emerging in the Karoo Basin and in environmental chemistry/hydrogeology. Preference will be given to candidates with a background in ore mineralisation studies, igneous or metamorphic petrology, geochemistry and/or structural geology, but the School is particularly seeking dynamic early-career researchers with a PhD and a proven research track record in any discipline in geology that complements our research strengths. Applicants intending to complete their PhD by the end of 2012 will also be considered. 

Duties: Successful candidates are expected to establish active research programmes, attract postgraduate students, contribute to scientific meetings and publish work in internationally accredited scientific journals. They will be required to teach specialist courses at undergraduate and Honours levels, and to lead appropriate student field excursions. Wherever possible, teaching duties will be matched with a candidate’s research background. An opportunity also exists for a suitably-qualified candidate to assume academic responsibility for the School’s geochemical laboratory by 2015.

Enquiries: For further information contact the Head of School, Professor Roger Gibson (Tel: 27 11 7176547; email: roger.gibson@wits.ac.za) or consult the School website http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/geosciences/6399/home.html

To apply: Submit a covering letter accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae, certified copies of all educational qualifications and identity document with names and e-mail addresses of 3 referees to: Miss Busisiwe Khumalo, Human Resources Officer, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050.

• E-mail: busisiwe.khumalo@wits.ac.za                            ● Fax: 086 523 4543           
• Closing Date: Friday, 25 May 2012

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

“The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University. The University retains the right not to make an appointment, to invite applications after the closing date, and to verify all information provided by candidates”

éCommitted to excellence and equity