LECTURER/ SENIOR LECTURER

Post Number 739S (0490) Faculty/Department University of the Western Cape -> Natural Sciences -> Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Type of Position Permanent - Full Time Length of Contract Period N/A Location Main Campus - Bellville, WC ZA (Primary)

Closing Date 30/9/2026

Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) enjoys national and international acclaim for its continuing contribution to democratic change in South Africa, for making quality education accessible to all South Africans and developing centres of excellence of national importance. Part of this striving for excellence is a commitment to biodiversity conservation and research.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of the Western Cape is internationally recognised for its excellence in teaching and research. The faculty comprises nine academic departments, a School of Pharmacy and a number of world-class research institutes and centres. The faculty offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the major scientific disciplines and a professional degree in Pharmacy.

The Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology is located within the Faculty of Natural Sciences. It is a dynamic department with strong research foci on Marine Biology, African Biodiversity, Ecology, Behavioural Ecology and Systematics. The department provides undergraduate teaching broadly focused on themes within Botany and Zoology, and offers service courses in Life Science, as well as Plant and Animal Diversity, to several other Faculties within the University.The department seeks to appoint a highly motivated, dynamic individual to join the department and initiate a research programme in Marine Biology with a strong interest in Conservation Biology.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key responsibility areas:

• Conduct research and publish in local and international peer-reviewed, accredited journals relevant to the broader research field.
• Undertake undergraduate and postgraduate supervision.
• Provide academic leadership and administration.
• Undertake curriculum development and assessment content creation, course readers, tutorial worksheets, assignments, etc.
• Participate in community engagement and outreach.
• Develop and update learning and teaching materials
• Develop and lead an internationally competitive, externally funded research programme (in the case of Lecturer this will be a future expectation).
• Attend local and international conferences.
• Actively contribute to stakeholder engagement and outreach.
• Perform administrative functions such as representing the department on university committees, and management of marks administration. Minimum Requirements

Minimum Requirements for Senior Lecturer:

• Ph.D. in Marine Biology and/or Marine Conservation Biology or related discipline.
• Proven record of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching at a tertiary institution in the relevant field.
• Evidence of curriculum development or renewal.
• A record of research and research dissemination by publications in national and international peer-reviewed, accredited journals and conference attendance.
• Proven record of securing research funding from external sources.
• Demonstrated experience of successful postgraduate supervision, especially at Master's level.
• Proven record of community engagement

Minimum Requirements for Lecturer:

• M.Sc. in Marine Biology and/ or Marine Conservation Biology, or a related discipline currently registered for a Ph.D with clear completion plan.
• 1-2 Ph.D related publications already completed.
• Proven record of undergraduate teaching at a tertiary institution in the relevant field commensurate with level of appointment.
• Record of research or participation in ongoing research.
• Record of community engagement.

Required competencies:

• Proven verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Time management, planning and organisational skills.
• Computer literacy and e-learning skills.
• Ethical use of AI for research and/or teaching.

Added advantage and preferences:

• Experience in departmental academic governance/management.
• Record of teaching large undergraduate classes (>200 students).
• Prior experience in the practice of marine conservation, e.g. implementation of strategies or policies.
• Evidence of active engagement with conservation management or related activities. In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and include anything else you deem exceptional and outstanding to be considered by the selection panel. In addition, please attach a cover letter motivating your suitability, a detailed curriculum vitae including contact details of three referees, and your highest qualification to your online profile. To be considered for this vacancy, you must click on the Apply for this Job or apply directly via UWC Careers at https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. For any queries, please contact the Human Resources Department at +27 21 959 4063/3642/9362/9708/3160/3756 or email: e-recruitment@uwc.ac.za. DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with University stakeholders to process the application. In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.