VACANCIES
VACANCIES
SENIOR LECTURER
FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
PERMANENT
Job description
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
To provide academic leadership in Crop Protection through excellence in teaching and learning, research, postgraduate supervision, and community engagement. The incumbent will develop graduates capable of designing sustainable, economically viable and environmentally responsible pest management strategies while contributing to the growth of the Agriculture Subject Group through scholarly research, external funding, industry collaboration and curriculum development. Additionally, the incumbent will be required to lead the development and approval process of a new academic program (BSc Agric with Agronomy and Crop Protection).
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Teaching and Learning:
- Coordinate and teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Crop Protection, Integrated Pest Management and related disciplines; develop innovative learning materials; supervise practical and field-based training; assess student learning; continuously improve curricula in line with industry developments.
- Research and Innovation:
- Serve Establish an active research programme in Crop Protection; publish in accredited journals; present research at conferences; secure external funding; develop collaborative research with industry and government.
- Postgraduate Supervision:
- Recruit, supervise and mentor Honours, MSc and PhD students; develop research capacity; ensure timely completion of postgraduate projects.
- Community Engagement and Industry Collaboration:
- Build partnerships with producers, commodity organisations, industry, extension services and government departments; provide specialist knowledge transfer and participate in outreach activities.
- Academic Administration:
- Coordinate modules; participate in subject group, school and faculty committees; assist with accreditation, quality assurance and programme review; contribute to student recruitment and marketing activities.
- Leadership and Mentorship:
- Mentor junior academics and postgraduate students; contribute to strategic planning within the subject group; promote a positive academic culture.
- Professional Development:
- Maintain disciplinary expertise through continuous professional development and participation in relevant professional bodies
Minimum requirements
- A PhD in Crop Protection, Weed Sciences, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Nematology, Integrated Pest Management, or a closely related Crop Protection field (NQF Level 10).
- A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in university teaching, including independent lecturing and module coordination.
- A minimum of three (3) years’ research experience, with publications in accredited journals.
- A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in postgraduate supervision, including Honours, MSc, and PhD.
ADDED ADVANTAGE:
- A MSc in Crop Protection, Plant Protection, or Integrated Pest Management (NQF Level 9)
- Registration with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).
- A Membership of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology and/or the Entomological Society of Southern Africa.
- Experience in grant acquisition for external funding applications.
- Experience in industry collaboration, including agricultural extension, producer organisations, or commercial agriculture
KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:
The successful candidate should demonstrate expertise in:
- Crop Protection and Integrated Pest Management principles.
- Research design and experimental methodologies.
- Statistical analysis of agricultural experiments.
- Postgraduate supervision.
- Laboratory and field research management.
- Risk assessment and environmental impact of pest management practices.
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
- Student-centred teaching philosophy.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork.
- Problem-solving and sound judgement.
- Relationship building with industry stakeholders.
- Accountability and professional responsibility.
- Critical and systems thinking
REMUNERATION:
The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Prof G Du Preez on Gerhard.DuPreez@nwu.ac.za
ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Ms. Dolly Lebepe on 018 299 4936
CLOSING DATE: 21 September 2026
PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: As soon as possible
Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website. Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCES
SENIOR LECTURER / LECTURER (PLANT PATHOLOGY) (ONE POSITION)
In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the above 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.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The incumbent will be responsible for:
- Undergraduate level teaching in plant pathology and basic plant biology;
- Honours level teaching in plant pathology;
- Supervision of postgraduate students in plant pathology;
- Acquiring research funding;
- Conducting and leading research in applied plant pathology;
- Initiating community engagement projects, and engaging in professional development activities.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Senior Lecturer:
- PhD degree in plant pathology or a related agricultural field, with prior undergraduate and MSc-level training in plant pathology or related fields;
- In-depth understanding of basic principles of plant pathology and experience in field-based applied plant pathology;
- A minimum of two (2) years teaching experience at undergraduate level;
- Evidence of postgraduate supervision as main supervisor of at least one (1) graduated Masters student in a relevant field;
- A track record of research in the relevant field published in Web of Science-indexed journals;
- Evidence of successful research grant funding applications;
- Intent to obtain a National Research Foundation Rating (NRF) rating in the next three years;
- Valid driver’s license.
Lecturer:
- PhD degree in plant pathology or a related agricultural field, with prior undergraduate and MSc-level training in plant pathology or related fields;
- In-depth understanding of basic principles of plant pathology and experience in field-based applied plant pathology;
- A minimum of one (1) year teaching experience at undergraduate level;
- Evidence of postgraduate supervision;
- A track record of research in the relevant field published in Web of Science-indexed journals;
- Intent to obtain a National Research Foundation Rating (NRF) rating in the next five years;
- Valid driver’s license.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
- Documented proof of own research outputs in plant pathology;
- Proven academic capabilities in teaching and learning both face to face and in an online and hybrid model environment, research and research supervision;
- Able to seek out funding opportunities and successfully apply for research funding;
- Appropriate language and communication skills, both written and verbal;
- Good knowledge of statistical analyses relevant to agricultural research;
- Be able to collaborate with colleagues within and between departments and foster a constructive research dynamic in the discipline.
ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:
- Preference will be given to a candidate with expertise in field-based and foundational disease diagnostics, and a track record of stakeholder engagement and farmer/grower extension;
- While all specializations are welcome, preference is for expertise in oomycete diseases, nematology, or diseases of emerging crops or natural environments to address national strategic needs and complement existing Departmental and Institutional strengths;
- Relevant post-doctoral experience;
- Evidence of successful funding applications;
- An NRF rating;
- Completed formal university level teaching training programmes;
- Being part of existing local or international research networks and collaborations;
- Verifiable involvement in science-based community engagement activities.
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.
In applying for these posts, please attach:
- A comprehensive CV in the University of Pretoria format;
- Certified copies of qualifications;
- A self-evaluation addressing the minimum requirements, required competencies, and added advantages and references. The self-evaluation must indicate the appointment level (i.e. Senior Lecturer or Lecturer) at which the applicant wishes to be considered and then address the relevant selection criteria;
- Outline of intended research programme and how this links to existing research in the Department and Institution;
- Teaching portfolio detailing University-level teaching philosophy, teaching practice, and experience;
- Names, e-mail addresses and telephone contact details of three referees who can attest to your academic and research profile, and whom we have permission to contact.
NOTE: Shortlisted applicants will be required to present a 20-minute undergraduate lecture on a topic that will be provided prior to the interviews.
CLOSING DATE: 27 September 2026
No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.
ENQUIRIES:
Ms M Huma, mokopa.huma@up.ac.za for application-related enquiries, and Prof DK Berger, dave.berger@up.ac.za for enquiries relating to the post content.
Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 30 November 2026, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.
The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity. In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference will be given, but is not limited to candidates from underrepresented designated groups.
All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply. All candidates agree to undergo verification of personal credentials.
By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record, credit record, current and historic disciplinary proceedings as part of the selection process.
The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised positions.
