Associate Professor: Natural Language Processing

Department Description/Departement Beskrywing

Faculty of Science

Department of Mathematical Sciences (50% Division of Computer Science / 50% Division of Applied Mathematics)

Associate Professor: Natural Language Processing

(Stellenbosch Campus)

Ref. NW08/376/0926

The Faculty of Science at Stellenbosch University (SU) is research-intensive and committed to excellent teaching, postgraduate development and research with impact, underpinned by ethical science in service of society. This position is a Faculty strategic appointment in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, shared equally between the Divisions of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. The joint appointment reflects the interdisciplinary nature of modern Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML). This appointment will strengthen research and postgraduate capacity in NLP, and contribute to existing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including the MSc in ML and AI.

Duties/Pligte

• Teaching core and specialised undergraduate and postgraduate modules across computer science and applied mathematics, including advanced courses in NLP, ML and AI.
• Publishing sustained, high-quality research in reputable international peer-reviewed journals and conferences in NLP, ML and AI.
• Recruiting and supervising postgraduate students, with a strong focus on successful MSc and PhD completion, and contributing to the development of postdoctoral fellows and

emerging researchers.

• Providing research leadership in the development of a strong collaborative research group across computer science and applied mathematics, and connecting with complementary AI

expertise across Stellenbosch University.

• Seeking and securing competitive external research funding, individually and collaboratively, from national, international and, where appropriate, industry sources.
• Contributing to curriculum renewal and the further development of advanced courses in NLP, ML, LLMs, trustworthy AI and related areas.
• Developing productive research collaborations with other universities, research organisations, industry, government and other appropriate partners, and contributing to relevant

departmental and Faculty academic activities.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

• PhD in computer science, applied mathematics, or a closely related discipline.
• An established, internationally recognised research profile in NLP.
• A sustained publication record over a number of years, with high-quality research outputs appropriate to appointment at Associate Professor level.
• Developing and sustaining a distinctive, internationally competitive research programme in NLP and ML, with scope for foundational, theoretical or mathematically rigorous research.
• A proven record of successful supervision of both MSc and PhD students to completion.
• Demonstrated success in attracting externally funded research funding, either as principal investigator, co-investigator, or a substantive contributor to funded research.
• Appropriate university-level teaching experience in NLP, ML or AI, with the ability to contribute to teaching across Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. This includes the ability

and willingness to teach at least one of the following core third-year computer science modules: concurrency, computer networks, databases or software engineering.

• Evidence of international academic recognition, for example through invited presentations, research collaborations, conference or professional-society activities, awards or comparable

scholarly contributions.

• Excellent academic communication skills in English.

Recommendation/Aanbeveling

• Research expertise in low-resource NLP.
• Experience in interdisciplinary research connecting computer science, applied mathematics or related quantitative disciplines.
• Experience in curriculum development.
• Experience in industry or public-sector collaboration, particularly where AI has demonstrable scientific or societal relevance.

How To Apply/Hoe Om Aansoek Te Doen

#PAS

The University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the institutional EE Plan.

Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Your application must comprise: a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and email addresses of at least three referees); a concise research statement (maximum three pages) setting out a five-year research vision for NLP and ML at Stellenbosch University; five selected research outputs that best demonstrate your contribution and research trajectory, with a brief explanation of the significance of each. Also include a teaching portfolio or statement (maximum two pages) detailing teaching philosophy, experience, and specific competence to teach at least one of the following third-year computer science modules: concurrency, computer networks, databases or software engineering, as well as relevant teaching in NLP, ML or AI.

Apply online at https://www.su.ac.za/en/careers-su by clicking ¿Apply now¿ at the top to the right of the page for the specific vacancy.

The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires people in occupations that entail potential exposure to certain hazards (such as noise, hazardous chemical substances and hazardous biological agents) to undergo medical screening to determine whether they be fit to work in those occupations.

If you have received no feedback from the University after four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application was unsuccessful.

Enquiries/Navrae

Enquiries about this post: Prof Brink van der Merwe, HOD Mathematical Sciences, on 021 808 4232, or at abvdm@sun.ac.za

Enquiries about remuneration/benefits and technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch),

or 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at sun-e-hr@sun.ac.za

CurrencyZAR Commencement Date01-Jan-2027 Closing Date16-Oct-2026 Amount of Travel Work At Home