All Things Urban

It is the vision of the University of Johannesburg to be a premier, embracing, African city university offering a mix of vocational and academic programmes that advances freedom, democracy, equality and human dignity as high ideals of humanity through distinguished scholarship, excellence in teaching, reputable research and innovation, and through putting intellectual capital to work.

The Graduate school of Architecture in The Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, University of Johannesburg, wishes to appoint a new Director of the School at the Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor or Professor level.

The Director will be an exceptionally motivated, qualified and energetic applicant of high professional and / or academic standing.

Reporting directly to the Executive Dean of the Faculty, the Director is responsible for shaping, leading and delivering a world-class, transformative pedagogical model, uniquely rooted in the African context. In the first year of the appointment, the emphasis will be on working closely with the GSA’s current cohort of Unit Leaders to fulfil the mandate of excellence in the School’s main programme, the professional M Arch.

Thereafter, the emphasis will shift from stabilisation of the current offerings to develop new and bold fields of knowledge and research across the School’s three programmes : M Arch, our new post-professional Master’s programme, the M Arch Design, Theory & Practice and in our creative practice-led PhD.

The GSA is rapidly developing research and teaching strengths in the following six specialist areas : design research; socially-responsible design; building technology; landscape; urbanism and critical theory. The successful applicant will not only have demonstrable expertise in at least two of these areas, but also the breadth and vision to encompass other specialisations, including new ones not listed above.

A proven track record in teaching and research is essential, as are excellent, proven managerial and leadership skills. Supported by a team of administrators, you will have oversight of all day-to-day aspects of academic and operational management of the GSA, including management of the School’s budget. Additionally, you will be a visionary leader who can contribute meaningfully to a programme that brings together the different strengths already present in the school, whilst developing new areas of research that are both locally and globally relevant.

You will also be able to meaningfully contribute to the GSA’s new cross-disciplinary think-tank, Transformative Pedagogies, an on-going design and research initiative tasked with finding innovative and intellectually rigorous approaches to the transformation of architectural canon and pedagogy in a developing world context.

You will be a member of the Faculty’s Management Committee, and will be expected to contribute to the intellectual and academic life of the Faculty and the University.

Provide leadership, vision and direction to the School’s faculty, staff and students;
Contribute actively to research in your specialist field;
Publish research, including the work of your students, using appropriate channels (peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations) as well as exhibitions, new forms of media and speaking engagements;
Share in the administration and management of the GSA and the wider Faculty;
Participate in official meetings of the GSA and Faculty;
Cultivate an active presence as a public intellectual;
Supervise postgraduate students within the appropriate programme offerings;
Develop key national and international links and collaborative opportunities;
Contribute to fundraising initiatives in the School and the Faculty;
Actively contribute to the development and growth of the GSA.

For Appointment at Professor Level:

• A PhD is required.
• An NRF rating (or equivalent) is a recommendation;
• Registered or registrable with SACAP or other relevant professional body
• An understanding of, and commitment to, the Unit System method of teaching;
• An in-depth and current knowledge of architectural design and / or urban design;
• A demonstrable research interest and proven research ability (articles, exhibitions, books);
• A record of collegiality, collaboration and initiative;
• Experience of teaching / reviewing at tertiary level;
• Experience of supervision of postgraduate students;
• An international profile with a demonstrable network and collaboration potential

For Appointment at Associate Professor Level:

• A PhD and / or extensive practice experience
• Registered or registrable with SACAP or other relevant professional body
• An understanding of, and commitment to, the Unit System method of teaching;
• An in-depth and current knowledge of architectural design and / or urban design;
• A demonstrable research interest and proven research ability (articles, exhibitions, books);
• A record of collegiality, collaboration and initiative;
• Experience of teaching / reviewing at tertiary level;
• Experience of supervision of postgraduate students;
• An international profile with a demonstrable network and collaboration potential

For appointment at Senior Lecturer Level:

• A Master’s degree in Architecture or related disciplines
• Registered or registrable with SACAP or other relevant professional body
• An understanding of, and commitment to, the Unit System method of teaching;
• An in-depth and current knowledge of architectural design and / or urban design;
• A demonstrable research interest and proven research ability (articles, exhibitions, books);
• A record of collegiality, collaboration and initiative;
• Experience of teaching / reviewing at tertiary level;
• Experience of supervision of postgraduate students;
• An international profile with a demonstrable network and collaboration potential.

Competencies and Behavioural Attributes:

• The ability to publish in high-impact journals
• The ability to supervise post graduate students
• Research management skills
• Good written and verbal English communications skills
• Teaching skills and good interpersonal skills as well as the ability to collaborate with colleagues
• Good planning and organizational skills
• Enthusiasm and passion for education, research and community engagement

Recommendations:

• Lecturing experience and an involvement in research supervision

We’re not fully sure whether this role is open to international candidates. If you would need visa sponsorship or work authorisation, we recommend checking directly with the employer before applying.