Senior Lecturer (P7) /Associate Professor (P6) /Professor (P5) :Science Education.

Purpose The incumbent will provide academic leadership in teaching, research, curriculum innovation and community engagement within the Faculty of Education and will contribute to Sol Plaatje University's strategic priorities of strengthening teacher education, advancing digital transformation, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching and learning and supporting rural and under-resourced school contexts. The role includes preparing future Science teachers, advancing scholarship in Science Education, supporting postgraduate supervision and contributing to the development of innovative, technology-enhanced teaching approaches aligned with national and institutional priorities.

Minimum Requirements Professor

• PhD degree with specialisation in Physical Science education, Life Science education, or Natural Science
• At least ten (10) years relevant lecturing experience with substantial experience at Associate Professor level in Physical Science education or Life Science education or Natural Science education or Technology Education at a Higher Education institution.
• Demonstrated experience in academic leadership, including programme leadership, research leadership, leadership in community engagement.
• Demonstrated extensive and sustained research productivity, including:
  • A significant record of publications in high-quality DHET-accredited peer-reviewed journals.
  • Publications in reputable international journals.
  • Scholarly books, edited volumes, or book chapters published by reputable academic publishers.
  • Evidence of national and international recognition, demonstrated through:
    • Strong citation record (e.g., Scopus H-index, citation metrics).
    • Invitations as keynote speaker, invited speaker or research collaborator.
    • Participation in international research collaborations.
• Demonstrated success securing external research funding as principal investigator or co-investigator.
• Demonstrated contribution to advancing knowledge in Science Education.
• Demonstrated evidence of national and international leadership in Science Education.
• Evidence of:
  • Serving as an external examiner at multiple institutions.
  • Editorial board membership or journal board membership.
• Demonstrated scholarship in teaching and learning.
• NRF rating is required.
• Demonstrated leadership in curriculum design, programme development and academic innovation.
• Evidence of leading the integration of:
  • Artificial intelligence in education, Digital learning technologies, innovative and inclusive pedagogical practices, evidence of leading teaching and learning practices within the department, faculty and institution.
  • Evidence of successful postgraduate supervision at both master's and PhD level.
  • Evidence of developing research capacity, including:
    • Mentoring early-career academics.
    • Leadership in academic associations or research networks.

Associate Professor

• PhD degree with specialisation in Physical Science education, Life Science education, or Natural Science
• At least eight (8) years relevant lecturing experience in Physical Science education or Life Science education or Natural Science education or Technology Education at a Higher Education institution.
• Demonstrated experience in leading teaching, curriculum innovation and programme development at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Evidence of successful post-graduate supervision at both Master and PhD level.
• Demonstrate sustained and independent research productivity, including:
  • A substantial and consistent record of publications in DHET-accredited peer-reviewed journals.
  • Peer-reviewed conference proceedings and presentations at national and international conferences.
  • Contributions to scholarly books, edited volumes, or book chapters published by reputable academic publishers.
• Participation in both national and international research collaborations and academic networks.
• Evidence of successful acquisition or participation in externally funded research projects (e.g., NRF, DHET, UCDP, international funding bodies).
• Demonstrated leadership in curriculum development, implementation and programme review.
• Evidence of designing and implementing innovative learning materials, digital learning environments, AI-enhanced teaching and learning approaches, Inclusive, student-centered pedagogies and authentic assessment strategies.

Senior Lecturer

• PhD with specialisation in Physical Science education, Life Science education, or Natural Science
• At least five (5) years of relevant lecturing experience in Physical Science education or Life Science education or Natural Science education.
• Demonstrated experience in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including curriculum development, implementation and assessment.
• Demonstrate consistent and ongoing research productivity, including:
  • Publications in DHET-accredited peer-reviewed journals.
  • Peer-reviewed conference proceedings and presentations at national and/or international conferences.
  • Contributions to scholarly books or book chapters published by reputable academic publishers.
• Evidence of developing research profile, including:
  • Emerging citation record (e.g., Google Scholar, Scopus H-index).
  • Active participation in national and international research projects.
• Demonstrate evidence of contributions to curriculum development and delivery, including:
  • Evidence of integration of: Digital learning technologies, Artificial intelligence tools and digital simulations (where appropriate).
  • Evidence of successful post graduate supervision at master's and/or PhD level.

Recommendations

• Senior Lecturer: Progress toward an NRF rating.
• Associate Professor: NRF rating or clear progress toward NRF rating; Evidence of scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL).

Duties and Responsibilities Teaching and Learning

• Teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Science Education, including Natural Sciences, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences pedagogy.
• Design and deliver innovative, student-centred learning experiences aligned with inquiry-based learning, constructivism and experiential learning.
• Integrate digital technologies, including Learning Management Systems (e.g., Moodle), Artificial Intelligence tools, Digital simulations and virtual laboratories, Open Educational Resources (OERs) and blended and online learning approaches.
• Support SPU's digital transformation strategy by integrating emerging technologies into teaching.
• Supervise and assess student teaching practice (Work Integrated Learning) in schools.
• Implement innovative assessment strategies that support deep learning and student success.
• Provide academic mentoring and student support to promote retention and success.

Research

• Conduct independent and collaborative research in Science Education.
• Publish regularly in accredited national and international peer-reviewed journals.
• Supervise postgraduate students (Honours, Master's and Doctoral levels, where appropriate).
• Contribute to research aligned with SPU priority areas, including: AI in education, STEM education innovation, Teacher education in rural contexts, Digital learning and simulations and Inquiry-based science teaching.
• Secure external research funding through national and international grants (e.g., NRF, DHET, UCDP).
• Participate in and activate research within national and international collaborations and academic networks.

Curriculum Development

• Contribute to curriculum development and integration of emerging educational technologies and pedagogical approaches into course materials.
• Lead the development, review and enhancement of Science Education programmes in the FoE.
• Ensure programme alignment with SAQA, HEQSF and CHE requirements, MRTEQ teacher education standards, SPU Teaching and Learning Strategy and National and international best practice.
• Support the integration of AI, digital simulations and emerging technologies into curricula.
• Contribute to programme accreditation, quality assurance, and curriculum transformation processes.
• Develop programmes that respond to the needs of rural and under-resourced schools.

Community Engagement

• Engage with schools, teachers and education stakeholders in the Northern Cape.
• Support teacher professional development.
• Contribute to STEM outreach.
• Participate in projects aimed at strengthening science education in rural and under-resourced schools.
• Promote socially responsive and contextually relevant education.

Academic Citizenship

• Contribute to departmental, faculty and university and cross-university committee partnerships.
• Provide academic leadership in Science.
• Mentor junior academics.
• Support institutional strategic initiatives.
• Contribute to faculty and departmental planning.

Enquiries can be made via email at

Assumption of duties: As mutually agreed to upon acceptance of the appointment. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. This position may be subjected to assessments.

Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
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