Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Department of Plant Sciences
Qwaqwa Campus
Lecturer: Plant Ecology (contract appointment: 4 years)
Job ID: 6595

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.
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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:
• Present undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Vegetation Ecology, Plant Taxonomy and Systematics, and Advanced Biostatistics.
• Provide supervision to postgraduate students.
• Actively conduct research in their field of specialisation.
• Synthesise knowledge through the publication of scientific papers in peer-reviewed, DHET-accredited journals.
• Communicate research findings at scientific conferences.
• Source funding for research from international and national funding organisations.
• Participate actively in the professional community.
• Participate actively in leadership and administration at Departmental and Faculty level.
• Participate in various scholarly engagement opportunities at learning and teaching, research, community engagement, and/or in-service learning levels.
• Contribute to curriculum development within the department.
• Perform general administration duties.

Inherent requirements:
Lecturer
• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Botany/Plant Ecology/Plant Taxonomy and Systematics/Biological Invasions
or
• Master’s degree on NQF Level 9 in Botany/Plant Ecology/Plant Taxonomy and Systematics/Biological Invasions and registered or willing to register at the first available opportunity for a PhD on NQF Level 10 in Botany/ Plant Ecology/ Plant Taxonomy and Systematics/ Biological Invasions (attach proof of registration if applicable).
• Proven teaching experience in Higher Education at undergraduate level.
• Proven experience in the delivery of poster or oral presentations at conferences in a relevant field.
• Evidence of manuscripts produced that have the potential to be converted or submitted for publication in accredited journals.
• Proven experience in supervision of Honours/MSc/PhD students.

Recommendations:
• Active involvement in Botany/Plant Taxonomy and Systematics/ Biological Invasions research.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in teaching Botany/ Plant Ecology/ Plant Taxonomy and Systematics/ Biological Invasions at tertiary level.
• Member of, or registration at, a professional body, such as a national or international scholarly society or committee.

Required competencies:
• Results Orientated:
- The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
- The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
• 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:
- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
- Proficient in using MS Office.
• Leading:
- The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
- The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
• Building Coalitions:
- The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
- The ability to be sensitive and understanding to the needs and feelings of others.

Assumption of duties:
01 December 2026 or as soon as possible.

Closing date:
25 September 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.az.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 9813 / 2979 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.