Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor / Professor (ONE POSITION) - Department of Zoology and Entomology - Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

job Description

FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY
SENIOR LECTURER / ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR / PROFESSOR (TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATE POPULATION ECOLOGY) (ONE POSITION)

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the above vacancy.

The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

BACKGROUND:
The Department of Zoology and Entomology in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria is a leading research and teaching department in the disciplines of zoology and entomology in Africa and internationally. It is recognised for the quality, relevance and impact of its research, and its graduates that are sought after by all stakeholders.

The Department is one of the most productive departments at UP, with a strong emphasis on undergraduate and postgraduate training, mentoring of postdoctoral fellows, and research with a strong focus on biodiversity, systematics, and conservation of African fauna, along with classical disciplines of physiology, behaviour, mammalogy, and ecology. Within the University, the Department has active collaborations with other departments and research entities.

One academic position is available in the Department at the level of either Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor or Professor with specialisation in population ecology and a focus on terrestrial vertebrates. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and stewarding this specialization, as well as supporting other areas that benefit from it, such as wildlife management. The incumbent will be appointed at a level commensurate with their level of experience.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will have an academic mandate of teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with an emphasis on population ecology. They will supervise honours, masters and doctoral students, and produce research outputs through scientific papers published in international high-impact journals, books, and conference presentations. The incumbent will be expected to raise research funds and build a strong, internationally acclaimed research programme in terrestrial vertebrate population ecology.

In addition, the successful candidate will be responsible for:
Curriculum development, upgrading and updating course material;
Participating in professional scientific societies;
Participating in community engagement activities;
Active involvement in Departmental, Faculty, and/or University administrative tasks.

Qualifications and Experience

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
PhD in Ecology, Wildlife Management, Zoology, Conservation Biology or similar; and
Engagement with the public and stakeholders, and/or service to the scientific community in field of research;

For appointment at the level of SENIOR LECTURER, the following additional minimum requirements apply:
Postdoctoral experience or evidence of early career research (e.g., NRF rating in Y or P category);
Evidence of current postgraduate student supervision at masters and/or doctoral level;
Evidence of supervision of graduated masters students;
Recent evidence of research outputs in the field of terrestrial vertebrate population ecology at a rate of at least two publications per year in ISI-listed journals (average over five years), or any other evidence showing recent and sustained engagement in the discipline;
At least two (2) years of tertiary teaching experience;
Experience in module coordination; and
Evidence of participation in departmental committees;

For appointment at the level of ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, the following additional minimum requirements apply:
Evidence of being an established researcher (e.g., NRF rating in C category);
Evidence of current postgraduate student supervision at masters and doctoral level;
Evidence of supervision of graduated masters and doctoral students;
Recent evidence of research outputs in the field of terrestrial vertebrate population ecology at a rate of at least three publications per year in ISI-listed journals (average over five years);
At least five (5) years of tertiary teaching experience;
Experience in module coordination and module curriculum development; and
Evidence of participation in departmental- and faculty committees;

For appointment at the level of PROFESSOR, the following additional minimum requirements apply:
Evidence of being an established researcher that has international recognition (e.g., NRF rating in C1 category and above);
Evidence of current postgraduate student supervision at masters and doctoral level;
Evidence of supervision of graduated masters and doctoral students that have gone on to fill academic, postdoctoral or research roles;
Recent evidence of research outputs in the field of terrestrial vertebrate population ecology at a rate of at least four publications per year in ISI-listed journals (average over five years);
At least eight (8) years of tertiary teaching experience;
Experience in module coordination, and module and programme curriculum development, with evidence of leadership in teaching and learning; and
Evidence of leadership in faculty- and university committees and decision making.

How to Apply

Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za, and follow the link: Careers@UP. In applying for these posts, please attach:
A self-evaluation addressing the minimum requirements, required competencies, and added advantages and preferences. The self-evaluation must indicate the appointment level (i.e. Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, or Professor) at which the applicant wishes to be considered and then address the relevant selection criteria.
Teaching portfolio detailing teaching philosophy, teaching practice, professional growth, and critical engagement with student evaluations and peer class observation reports
A comprehensive CV in UP format
Certified copies of qualifications
Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact and have worked with the applicant on a professional basis
Names and contact details of three academic peer reviewers at Professor level with whom the applicant has not previously collaborated but work within the same field of research

CLOSING DATE: 31 October 2025

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with all the minimum requirements.

ENQUIRIES:
Ms M Kana, Tel: (012) 460 6662 Email: merilyn.kana@up.ac.za for application-related enquiries, and Prof Ara Monadjem, Tel: (012) 420 8422 Email: ara.monadjem@up.ac.za for enquiries relating to the post content.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 January 2026, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

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