Professor of Fine Art & Jewellery Design - Department Head

Durban University of Technology (DUT) is a globally recognised institution committed to excellence in teaching, learning, research, innovation, and impactful engagement. Guided by the ENVISION2030 strategic framework and grounded in The DUT-Way values, the University fosters a transformative, industry-connected, and people-centred academic environment that contributes meaningfully to South Africa's creative economy.

The Department of Fine Art & Jewellery Design drives artistic innovation, design research, and creative enterprise. Grounded in African artistic identities, craftsmanship heritage, and future-facing design technologies, the Department is advancing socially conscious creative practice and postgraduate development.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following permanent academic appointment, linked to a fixed-term leadership position:

• Doctoral Degree in Fine Art & Jewellery Design or a related discipline
• Minimum 10 years of excellent higher education experience including postgraduate supervision
• International research recognition evidenced through recent scholarly/creative outputs
• Proven record of Masters and Doctoral supervision
• Significant contribution to community-engaged scholarship
• Demonstrated excellence in:
  • curriculum innovation
  • contemporary pedagogies and assessment
  • postgraduate development
  • creative/accredited scholarship
  • academic advising and student support
  • design and development of teaching materials
  • clear pedagogical teaching philosophy

• Doctoral Degree in Fine Art & Jewellery Design or related discipline
• Minimum 7 years of higher education or academic leadership experience
• National and/or international research recognition over the last 7 years
• Proven record of postgraduate supervision
• Demonstrated community or industry engagement

(5-year renewable contract, in addition to the permanent academic appointment)

• PhD in Fine Art & Jewellery Design or a related discipline aligned to departmental programme clusters
• Meets requirements for appointment as Associate Professor or Professor
• Minimum 5 years academic leadership and scholarly contribution

• Academic leadership across Teaching & Learning, Research, and Community Engagement
• Foster staff development, team cohesion, and excellence aligned to ENVISION2030
• Resource management including budgets, workloads, recruitment, and quality assurance
• Enhance postgraduate recruitment, supervision culture, and creative research outputs
• Strengthen industry partnerships and community connectivity
• Promote holistic student support and transformation

• Professor / Associate Professor: Market-related salary with benefits
• Head of Department: R per month non-pensionable allowance (inclusive of cellphone allowance)

• DUT Application for Employment Form (via DUT
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter demonstrating alignment to role requirements
• Certified copies of qualifications and academic transcripts
  • Contact details of three recent referees
  • Email applications to:
  • Quote Reference: Fine Art & Jewellery Design: Prof/AP & HOD No manual submissions will be accepted.
• Incomplete applications will be disregarded.

In line with DUT's Employment Equity Plan, preference will be given to women candidates in alignment with transformation priorities.

DUT reserves the right not to appoint, or to re-advertise to widen the pool of applicants. Verification will be conducted on the preferred candidate.