Lecturer (Job ID: 6510) – Department of Geography
- Institution: University of the Free State
- Faculty: Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Department: Geography
- Location: Bloemfontein Campus, Free State
- Position Type: Permanent (or 5-year contract for Master’s degree holders)
- Occupational Level: Junior Management
- Closing Date: 06 July 2026
- Assumption of Duty: 01 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter
Job Description
The Lecturer will be responsible for teaching, research, postgraduate supervision, academic administration, and community engagement within the Department of Geography. The successful candidate will contribute to the department’s teaching and research activities, particularly in geospatial analysis, remote sensing, GIS, environmental systems, and human-environment interactions.
Key Responsibilities
Teaching and Learning
- Teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses in:
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Remote Sensing (RS)
- Geospatial Analysis
- Environmental Systems
- Human-Environment Interactions
- Develop and update course materials.
- Facilitate student learning and assessment.
- Contribute to curriculum development and innovation.
Research
- Maintain an active and productive research programme.
- Publish research findings in accredited peer-reviewed journals.
- Present research at conferences and academic forums.
- Develop research collaborations and partnerships.
- Seek and secure external research funding and industry-supported projects.
Postgraduate Supervision
- Recruit postgraduate students.
- Supervise Honours, Master’s, and PhD students.
- Provide academic mentoring and research guidance.
Academic Administration
- Participate in departmental, faculty, and university committees.
- Assist with quality assurance and academic planning processes.
- Perform general administrative duties associated with teaching and research.
Service and Community Engagement
- Contribute to departmental and faculty initiatives.
- Engage with industry stakeholders and research partners.
- Support the university’s strategic goals and transformation objectives.
Minimum Requirements
Permanent Appointment
- PhD (NQF Level 10) in:
- Geography
- Earth Sciences
- GIS/Remote Sensing
- Geospatial Science
- Or a closely related field
Contract Appointment (5 Years)
- Master’s Degree (NQF Level 9) in a relevant field.
- Must obtain a PhD within five years to qualify for conversion to a permanent appointment.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Demonstrated geospatial modelling skills.
- Proven GIS and remote sensing analysis experience.
- Experience presenting research at conferences.
- Evidence of manuscripts suitable for publication in accredited journals.
- Strong academic record.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
The university will favour candidates with:
- A completed PhD.
- University teaching experience.
- Published research outputs.
- Experience securing external research funding.
- Strong GIS and remote sensing software expertise.
- Programming skills in:
- Python
- R
- IDL
- Other scientific computing languages
- Experience teaching advanced GIS and remote sensing modules.
- Experience supervising postgraduate students.
Required Competencies
Results Orientation
- Ability to set and achieve high-performance standards.
- Adaptability in a changing academic environment.
Strategic Thinking
- Strong planning and organisational skills.
- Creative problem-solving ability.
Business Acumen
- Compliance with policies and regulations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Leadership
- Self-motivated and energetic.
- Ability to lead projects and initiatives.
Relationship Building
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and diverse environment.
Employee Benefits
Eligible employees may receive:
- Pension scheme
- Medical aid
- Group life insurance
- Housing allowance
- Annual and sick leave benefits
- Service bonus
- Study benefits