CORE PURPOSE OF JOB

One of the critical themes in the strategic direction of the Department of Geosciences at the NMU is an African-rooted research and scholarship approach to the sustainability and resilience of socio-spatial processes and landscapes. The NMU is for that reason seeking to appoint a Human Geographer in this department. The core purpose of this position is to:

–         Promote excellence in under and post-graduate teaching and research in the social sustainability discourse, indigenous knowledge, and resilience of socio-spatial processes and landscapes focus areas, amongst others;

–         Supervise relevant student research at Masters and Doctoral levels; and

–         Be part of a research team (and possibly playing a leading role therein) with a focus on the last mentioned focus areas.  

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Facilitate learning processes in the Department of Geosciences.
• Promote research in the Department of Geosciences, among others in the social sustainability discourse, indigenous knowledge, and the resilience of socio-spatial processes and landscapes focus areas.
• Leverage research funding from funding organizations.
• Develop collaboration with other scientists in trans-disciplinary studies.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Possess expert knowledge in the theory and application of social geography, social sustainability and sustainable development, and sustainability discourse analysis.
• Demonstrated pursuit of a distinct research trajectory.
• Demonstrated supervision of student research at Masters and Doctoral levels.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proven ability to engage research stakeholders, students and decision makers, and other relevant parties.
• Possess cutting-edge skills in qualitative research techniques.
• Proven ability to successfully develop under and postgraduate courses.  

REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must have the following:

• A PhD degree in a field relevant to the position.  
• 5 years relevant working experience
• A strong background in Human Geography.
• Evidence of a research focus in the social sustainability discourse, indigenous knowledge, and the resilience of socio-spatial processes and landscapes focus areas.
• Evidence of supervision of Masters and Doctoral student research.
• Evidence of relevant research output.