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Associate Professor/Professor and Head of Department, Statistic

Job Details

FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR / PROFESSOR AND HEAD OF DEPARTMENT (ONE POST)

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

The University of Pretoria is seeking a highly motivated, internationally recognised scientist to lead and deepen the full spectrum of academic activities in the department. The ideal candidate will have experience in academic administration in a university context. In addition to leadership-related activities, the candidate is expected to maintain a level of teaching practice and research activity.

In addition to the normal administrative duties of a head of department, this position will involve the realisation of a vision for the Department of Statistics. The incumbent will actively support and drive the University of Pretoria’s 2025 vision to become a leading research-intensive university in Africa. Thus, applicants should demonstrate a record of developing and executing strategies in support of an over-arching vision. UP’s 2025 vision requires departmental responses to international research collaboration, innovative hybrid teaching models, effective supervision at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, inclusive transformation processes and impactful community engagement.

Statistics is a fundamental scientific discipline. Programmes in mathematical statistics and in statistics and data science are presented in the faculties of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Economic and Management Sciences, respectively. Modules in statistics are also part of many other programmes in several faculties. The professional nature of statistics is intertwined with the department’s academic goals and highlighted through research and research-related consulting activities (offered to industry and the broader UP community). Through these activities, the discipline is strengthened, positioning the department at the forefront of research, teaching, and professional practice.

Statistical training programmes should include the latest knowledge, modern statistical thinking and skills, in partnership with industry. Technology has significantly transformed the availability of information and data, and advanced analytics allows for an in-depth understanding of patterns in data, enabling automation of many manual processes. Thus, applicants should show innovative, creative thinking ability and present new ideas on how to expand and re-imagine the future instructional mode within teaching and learning of the discipline, incorporating data science components.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • The strategic, academic and operational management of the department
  • Strategically developing and marketing the department to increase its African and international standing
  • Promoting the department’s research profile
  • Ensuring scholarly academic and professional education and training
  • Playing an active role as academic leader of the discipline at university, national and international levels
  • Fundraising for departmental activities
  • Improving the department’s diversity and employment equity (EE) profile

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • A relevant doctorate with at least ten year’s relevant experience
  • Experience in high-level liaison with internal and external stakeholders and professional associations
  • Academic status and both national and international recognition in the relevant discipline
  • A proven research and publication record and peer recognition
  • A proven postgraduate supervision track record
  • An appropriate vision for the department

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

  • Managerial skills and competencies
  • Strong leadership and communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Diversity management skills
  • The ability to lead research programmes

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

  • A clear statement on how the applicant’s research and teaching interests fit in with existing activities in the department
  • Managerial experience at a tertiary or research institution
  • A strong research record in one of the department’s research specialisation fields
  • An appropriate NRF rating (for South African applicants)

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent’s level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the Bestmed and Umvuzo medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.

Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za and follow the link, ‘Careers@UP’.

When applying for this post, please attach:

  • A comprehensive CV
  • Certified copies of qualifications
  • Names, email addresses and telephone numbers of three referees whom we have permission to contact
  • Names and contact details of peer reviewers (academic and research)
  • Self-evaluation
  • Teaching portfolio
  • Your vision for the department

Candidates are expected to make a ten-minute verbal (no technology) presentation to the Faculty Recruitment and Selection Committee on their vision for the department.

By applying, candidates agree to the appointment process as set out in the relevant UP policy document. This process can be accessed at http://www.up.ac.za/services/personnel/policies/w113E.doc.

Although candidates will be appointed permanently as Associate Professor or Professor, the headship is a fixed-term appointment of four years. Preference will be given to the incumbent for re-appointment for a second term if they are available.

CLOSING DATE: 3 June 2021

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

ENQUIRIES: Nontando Radebe (tel: 012 420 2085, email: nontando.radebe@up.ac.za) for application-related enquiries and Prof Barend Erasmus (tel: 012 420 3201) for enquiries relating to the post content.

If you have not heard from the University of Pretoria by 31 July 2021, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

In accordance with the University’s Employment Equity Plan and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to, candidates from under-represented designated groups.

All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply. All candidates agree to undergo verification of personal credentials.

The University of Pretoria reserves the right not to fill advertised positions.

Company

About the University of Pretoria

UP is a leading research university in South Africa and one of the largest in the country.

The University has seven campuses as well as a number of other sites of operation, such as the Pretoria Academic Hospital. Central administration is located at the Hatfield Campus.

The University of Pretoria offers more than 1 800 academic programmes in two of the official languages, namely Afrikaans and English. (Some programmes and modules are offered only in English.)

In 1996, the University of Pretoria became the university with the highest research output in South Africa and we have maintained this status.

The University of Pretoria celebrated its Centenary in 2008.

The academic programmes of the University are offered in nine faculties, as well as a business school. The faculties comprise a total of 140 departments and 85 centres, institutes and bureaus. UP is at the forefront of tertiary education in the country and collaborates with world-class partners to ensure continued excellence in learning and teaching.

Faculties:

  • Economic and Management Sciences
  • Education
  • Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
  • Health Sciences
  • Humanities
  • Law
  • Natural and Agricultural Sciences
  • Theology
  • Veterinary Science

Business School:

  • Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) 
Company info
Telephone
+(27)124203111
Location
PRIVATE BAG X20
HATFIELD
0028
ZA

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