ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT LECTURER: ENGINEERING EDUCATION

Department of Electrical Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is one of the leading higher education institutions on the African continent. It embraces a tradition of academic excellence that is respected worldwide. The academic project remains at the heart of UCT’s mission, which is built on three pillars at the core of Vision 2030: excellence, transformation, and sustainability.

The Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Cape Town enjoys an international reputation for its activities in the fields of control engineering, digital electronics, image processing, instrumentation, machines and drives, power electronics, mechatronics, power engineering, radar and remote sensing, microwave engineering and telecommunications.

The Department has three undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Engineering degrees programmes in: Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Mechatronics. The degree programmes are accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa. The Department has an undergraduate cohort of around 700 students and a postgraduate cohort of around 150 (masters and doctoral) students.

The Department is seeking to appoint permanent, full-time academic staff in the field of Engineering Education. The appointment will depend on the experience and academic standing of the successful applicant and will be in accordance with the university’s employment equity requirements.  Suitably qualified individuals are invited to apply.

Requirements for the position:

• A Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a closely related discipline, at NQF level 8.
• A Master’s degree in electrical engineering or in an appropriate field related to the post, at NQF level 9.
• Demonstrable experience in lecturing at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels.
• Demonstrable experience in Engineering Education including:

• teaching and learning with an understanding of effective strategies and pedagogical approaches;
• designing, developing, and implementing curricula that meet industry needs and accreditation standards;
• initiatives that enhance student engagement, retention, and success;
• teaching methods, tools, and technologies that improve student learning outcomes; and
• mentoring, advising, guiding and supporting students in their academic and professional development.

The following will be advantageous:

• A PhD or progress toward a PhD in electrical engineering or in an appropriate field.
• Experience in supervising postgraduate students.
• Experience in securing research funding from national and/or international grant agencies.
• Experience in working and engaging with industries.
• Professional Engineering registration.
• Experience in management (of courses, staff and/or research projects).

Responsibilities include:

Teaching:

• Contribute to the teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
• Supervise/co-supervise undergraduate students (research projects) and postgraduate students.
• Develop new approaches to teaching, including blended learning and online approaches.

Research:

• Complete a PhD within the probation period for academic conditions of service.
• Conceptualise, lead and conduct research related to the field mentioned above.
• Develop/expand research collaborations both nationally and internationally.
• Raise research funding, apply for grants from appropriate national and international funding bodies.

Leadership, management and administration:

• Contribute to excellence in the operation of the Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics and Electrical & Computer Engineering undergraduate curriculum, by maintaining and growing the reputation of the programmes.
• Perform administrative functions at Departmental, Faculty and, if needed, University level.
• Perform administrative functions related to teaching and research projects (i.e., convene courses, manage research teams, manage funding for research, monitor operational expenses, write progress reports, etc.).
• Obtain and maintain Professional Engineering registration (if not in possession of this already)

Social responsiveness

• Scholarly engagement with external stakeholder for the purposes of contributing to industry, formulation of policy, provision of services, coproduction of knowledge, or the dissemination of information.

Information on the teaching and research activities of the Department may be found on the website: www.ebe.uct.ac.za/department-electrical-engineering. 

The annual cost of employment, inclusive of all benefits, is R901 517.

To apply, please visit the UCT Internal Careers site (For Internal Applicants) and UCT Careers site (For external Applicants) to create a profile and submit your application.

Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

• A motivation letter
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A 1-page research impact statement
• A 1-page teaching philosophy
• Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address, and telephone number

Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency assessments and deliver an open presentation to the Department. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Any inquiries for this position are to be addressed to Ms Abigail Dixon at recruitment03@uct.ac.za or 021 650 1673.

Closing Date: 30 September 2024                               Website: www.ebe.uct.ac.za/

UCT 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. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at https://uct.ac.za/media/9482.

UCT reserves the right not to appoint.