KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll  - 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).

•    Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities: 

•    Contribute to a strong academic identity and scholarly culture in the Communication Science Department.

•    Teach and assess undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Communication Science, including in a specific Communication Science specialisation.

•    Mentor and supervise final year and postgraduate students.

•    Initiate and conduct high-level research, attract grant funding, and collaborate with national and international researchers.

•    Publish quality research outputs consistently.

•    Actively participate in applicable UFS committee and management structures.

•    Contribute to programme development and curriculum review within the Department and Faculty.

•    Participate in engaged scholarship.

•    Recruit senior students for postgraduate studies.

•    Perform organisational and administrative duties.

Inherent requirements:

Senior Lecturer

•    PhD on NQF Level 10 in Communication Science or cognate discipline.

•    A minimum of three (3) years lecturing experience in Communication Science at a tertiary institution.

•    Proven experience in the presentation of research papers at national conferences, where there is evidence of peer review of papers.

•    Proven national recognition for specialist expertise and research leadership in a specific scientific area of communication scholarship.

•    An NRF rating or potential for obtaining an NRF rating within a reasonable time.

•    Proven experience in the supervision of graduated master’s degree students and PhD Students.

•    A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international accredited journals

•    Served as a member of a national scholarly society OR a national committee or agency concerned with research at higher education levels OR showed evidence of service as an active member of an international equivalent.

Associate Professor

•    PhD on NQF Level 10 in Communication Science or cognate discipline.

•    A Minimum of five (5) years lecturing experience in Communication Science at a tertiary institution.

•    Proven experience in the presentation of papers/ posters at national and international scholarly conferences.

•    Proven experience in supervision of MA and PhD students.

•    Experience as an external examiner for postgraduate students.

•    A proven research record of relevant publications in national and international accredited journals (at least 10 to 15 publications).

•    An NRF C3 rating or higher.

•    Recognised nationally as an established scholar within the communication discipline.

•    Proven experience of service as an active member of a national or international scholarly society or committee or agency

Recommendations:

•    Ability to conduct/manage/publish interdisciplinary research.

•    Ability to teach in an interdisciplinary context.

•    Good interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) and, the ability to function well in the university’s richly diverse working environment.

•    Experience in teaching with electronic content management tools such as Blackboard.

•    Experience in teaching first year modules and honours modules.

•    Experience as a departmental leader/manger in a higher education environment.

Required competencies:  

•    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 deal with several activities at a time.

-    The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.

•    Business Acumen:

-    Proficient in using MS Office.

•    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 sensitive and understanding to the needs and feelings of others.

-    The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Assumption of duties:

01 June 2026

Closing date:

31 March 2026     

Salary:

The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits: 

(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 2876 or email SeitlhekoLP@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 9813 / 2979 / 7659 for assistance.

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: ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf

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.