VAAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (VUT) VACANCIES

​INTERNAL/EXTERNAL VACANCY
 
DIVISION: Faculty of Engineering & Technology 
DEPARTMENT: Industrial Engineering & Operations Management & Mechanical Engineering
POST: Research Professor 
POST Nº: 0208 
PEROMNES GRADE: 05 
 
JOB DESCRIPTION
Key performance areas include but are not limited to:
▪ Post Graduate Students Assistance: Provide academic leadership in post graduate students in proposal writing; Manage and monitor student learning activities to ensure successful completion of qualifications; Manage, monitor and assess practical/workshop research activities; Initiate collaboration with national and international academics for joint teaching and research projects; Contribute to the department’s postgraduate research programmes; Provide guidance to post graduate staff and students in obtaining vertical qualifications.
▪ Research and Innovation: Provide leadership in research activities; Develop research capacity to enhance research outputs within the Faculty; Develop and promote postgraduate study and supervise post-graduate research projects; Supervise Masters/Doctoral students.
▪ Teaching and Learning: Be responsible for teaching and learning in advanced courses across all programs within the Faculty.
▪ Industry Relationship Building: Liaise with industry, professional bodies and education institutions nationally and internationally with regard to post graduate issues.
▪ Research Workshops: Co-ordinate research workshops for staff and students in collaboration with the Research Directorate. Organise and arrange Faculty research colloquiums and training of supervisors.
▪ Community Engagement/Niche Research Focus Area: Build and strengthen community engagement initiatives in the department by creating research focus areas linked with community engagement; Provide leadership in the development of the faculty’s research niche areas; Enhance the participation of the different centres in the faculty towards community based projects. Institute community engagement initiatives in collaboration with F’SASEC to enhance participants’ employability.
▪ Administration and Reporting: Attend senate and related academic and research committee meetings; Develop the strategic research and operational plans of the faculty within the vision of the VUT and monitor implementation thereof; Manage administrative tasks including but not limited to post graduate student registration, enrolment and research monitoring; Service on institutional research committees; Maintain the Faculty knowledge management system to support research and development.
▪ Research Funding and 3rd Stream Income: Target and source research funding opportunities institutionally, regionally and internationally- includes core funding, agency funding and competitive funding including contract funding and third stream income (for example SLPs, promote consultation); Plan and manage the research budget for the Faculty; Facilitate the commercialisation of research outputs, in line with the VUT and national imperatives; Engage in local, national and international research networks.
▪ Professional Development: Maintain a solid record of research output and scholarship. Produce relevant accredited research outputs annually/ Presentation of papers at targeted national and internal conferences.
 

APPLICATION CRITERIA :
 
Minimum Requirements
 
Qualification :
▪ First degree, Masters and Doctoral in Mechanical Engineering (with ECSA registration for international qualification)
▪ NRF rating (at least C)
▪ Professional Registration (for international qualification)
 
Experience:
▪ Minimum 3 years research management experience
▪ Minimum 10 years lecturing experience
▪ Proven research track-record (proven record of attracting external funding
▪ Proven record of student supervision (master’s and PhD levels)
▪ Proven record of peer mentorship
▪ Proven record of research output review and research forum coordination
▪ Evidence of a high level of disciplinary expertise and research outputs
▪ Membership of relevant professional bodies
▪ Proven research output and publication in peer-reviewed journals
▪ Experience in curriculum development and material design
▪ Proven record of research culture improvement.
 
Skills and Competencies:
Excellent communication and presentation skills; Excellent teaching and research skills; Excellent managerial, organising and administrative skills; Competence in project management and resource management; Conceptual skills; Analytical ability/ Statistical literacy; Interpersonal skills, conflict management, negotiating and networking; Problem solving skills; Knowledge of national, international and institutional research bodies; Knowledge of Higher Education quality assurance and assessment systems; Specialised knowledge of relevant faculty disciplines; VUT policies and procedures, specifically as it relates to research.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 25 March 2025
 
Applications should include:
1. A fully completed prescribed application form which can be obtained from www.vut.ac.za
2. A detailed curriculum vitae (explicitly stating experience or knowledge in the above-mentioned fields)
3. Certified copies of all academic certificates/degrees
4. Certified copy of ID
5. Current contact information of referees
6. Please email applications to recruitment2@vut.ac.za and quote the post reference and post description in the subject line.
7. No manual applications will be accepted. Incomplete applications or applications without the application form and required documents will be disregarded.
8. Only applications made on our application for employment form would be considered.
9. Communication will be entered into with short-listed candidates only. If you don’t hear from VUT within 3 months deem your application as unsuccessful.
 
Enquiries may be directed to:
HR Practitioner: Pinki Motsoetla Tel: 016 950 6645
 
Please Note: Submission of such copies entitles Vaal University of Technology to authenticate the qualifications without any further consent from the applicant. Candidates with foreign qualifications must submit a SAQA certificate of evaluation. Vaal University of Technology is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, which is committed to the implementation of its employment equity plan. People from designated groups are encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
 
VUT reserves the right not to make an appointment
 
By applying for this position, you give permission to share your information with the selection panel or the relevant people involved in the recruitment process.