Associate Professor (Communication Sciences)x1
Position Information
Job Title: Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor (Communication Sciences)
Organizational Unit: Faculty of Humanities → Department of Communication Science
Employment Type: Permanent
Occupational Level: Middle Management
Location: Qwaqwa Campus, Free State, South Africa
Closing Date: 31 March 2026
Assumption of Duties: 01 June 2026
Salary: Available on request
Fringe Benefits: Pension scheme, medical aid, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus, study benefits
Job Purpose
To strengthen academic and research excellence in the Communication Science Department through teaching, research, postgraduate supervision, curriculum development, and participation in university and community initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Teaching & Supervision
Teach and assess undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Communication Science, including specialized areas.
Mentor and supervise final-year, Master’s, and PhD students.
Teach using electronic content management tools (e.g., Blackboard).
Participate in programme development and curriculum review.
Research & Scholarly Output
Conduct high-level research and publish quality outputs in accredited journals.
Attract grant funding and collaborate with national and international researchers.
Present research at national and international conferences.
Service & Administration
Serve on departmental, faculty, and university committees.
Contribute to organizational and administrative duties.
Engage in engaged scholarship and community-related projects.
Minimum Qualification & Experience
Senior Lecturer
PhD in Communication Science or cognate discipline (NQF Level 10).
Minimum 3 years lecturing experience at tertiary level.
Proven research output and presentation of papers at national conferences.
Supervision of Master’s and PhD students.
National recognition in the field and membership of scholarly societies.
Associate Professor
PhD in Communication Science or cognate discipline (NQF Level 10).
Minimum 5 years lecturing experience at tertiary level.
Proven research record (10–15 publications) and supervision of postgraduate students.
NRF C3 rating or higher.
Nationally recognized as an established scholar with active involvement in scholarly societies.
Recommended Skills & Competencies
Ability to conduct/manage/publish interdisciplinary research
Interdisciplinary teaching capability
Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills
Experience in teaching first-year and honours modules
Departmental leadership or management experience in higher education
Core Competencies
Results Oriented: Reliable, responsible, adaptable to changing environments
Strategic Thinking: Handle multiple activities, creative problem-solving
Business Acumen: Proficiency in MS Office
Leadership & Coalition Building: Motivating teams, fostering collaboration, interpersonal sensitivity
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit through the official UFS portal: UFS Careers Portal with:
Detailed CV
Copies of qualifications (with SAQA accreditation for foreign degrees)
South African ID or passport
Employment confirmation documents (contracts, payslips, etc.)
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only online applications via the UFS portal are accepted.