Lecturer Contract appointment: 3 years): Engineering Division

Organizational Unit University of the Free State -> Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences -> Department Engineering Science Contract Type Contract Occupational Level Junior Management Location Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date 2/8/2026 Description KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide and facilitate teaching, learning, and assessment of undergraduate and post-graduate students in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Engineering Sciences according to the related Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), UFS and SAQA outcomes.
• Develop and update learning material and course content, to ensure continuity in relevance and maintenance of quality.
• Provide opportunities for individual student interaction and consultation.
• Seek ways of improving performance by reflecting on teaching design and delivery and obtaining and analysing feedback.
• Assume leadership responsibilities as they relate to teaching and learning, and contribute to programmes of the Department and Faculty.
• Contribute towards creating a strong academic identity.
• Conduct research and research supervision as commensurate with the requirements of the Department and Faculty.
• Develop and undertake his/her independent research programme and publish research, as evidenced by publications, presentations, role player collaboration, and eventually obtain a doctoral degree.
• Participate in national and/or international fora to share research results. Publish on average 1 SAPSE/ISI journal article per 1-year cycle.
• Identify and access funding sources to support one's own and, where feasible, student research.
• Update knowledge and understanding in the related field of specialisation.
• Assume leadership responsibilities as they relate to research.
• Utilise academic, scholarly and professional expertise for intentional public purpose or benefit that demonstrates engagement with external constituencies.
• Assist in the generation of new knowledge integration, and the application and dissemination of knowledge.
• Be of service to other universities, e.g., external examining, assisting with curriculum reviews, organising conferences, and collaborations on inter-university projects.
• Be of service to professional bodies, e.g., national bodies, journals.
• Be of service to other stakeholders such as government or NGOs, e.g., serving on society, advisory bodies, other Higher Education Institutions, and contribute to policy formulation and review.
• Maintain own professional registration with related Professional Bodies and Associations, if applicable.
• Assume administrative and/or leadership duties in the department, such as course co-ordinator; co-ordination of programmes e.g. PhD, Master's. programmes; co-ordination of particular research projects; tutor selection and co-ordination.
• Become acquainted with all relevant University and Faculty policies to implement appropriately.
• Serve on Departmental, Faculty and University-wide bodies as applicable.
• Execute administrative duties as designated by the Head of Department.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• MEng/MScEng (Agricultural Engineering or Mechanical Engineering) on NQF Level 9 with a minimum of eight (8) years relevant experience in engineering practice / academic institutions, OR BEng (Agricultural Engineering or Mechanical Engineering) on NQF Level 8 with a minimum of ten (10) years’ relevant experience in engineering practice / academic institutions.
• Registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), as Candidate Engineer or Pr.Eng. (attach proof).
• Registration with a discipline-specific Association/s (i.e., South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE) or South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering (SAIME)(attach proof).

Recommendations:

• A valid driver’s license (attach a copy).

Competencies Key Competencies required:

• Results-Oriented:

• The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.

• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

• Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.

• The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

• Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.

• Proficient in using MS Office.

• Leading:

• The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.

• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

• Building Coalitions:

• The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others.

• The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.

Assumption of duties:

1 January 2027

Closing date:

02 August 2026

Salary:

The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits:

(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 9813 or email [email protected]. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 7659 / 2979 for assistance.

General:

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities.

ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.