Position Title: Professor & Head - Division of Human Genetics

Requisition ID: 802

Department: Faculty of Health Sciences

City: Cape Town

PROFESSOR/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & HEAD:
DIVISION OF HUMAN GENETICS

DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

&

THE NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORY SERVICE (NHLS)

The University of Cape Town (UCT), is the highest-ranked academic institution in Africa and a leading global university. The University is committed to being “an outstanding teaching and research university, educating for life, and addressing the challenges facing our society”. Our mission of being an ‘Afropolitan’ institution is characterised by creating centres of clinical, research and teaching excellence that will bring together academics from South Africa, the rest of Africa and the world in pursuit of solutions to African and global problems.

UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences’ vision is to be a centre of excellence in health sciences that is locally relevant and globally competitive. Established in 1912, the faculty is the top-rated Faculty of Health Sciences on the African continent. The Faculty is comprised of 14 large Departments (e.g. Medicine, Paediatrics Pathology, Surgery, amongst others). The Department of Pathology, within which the Division of Human Genetics exists, contains seven other Divisions: Anatomical Pathology, Chemical Pathology, Forensic Pathology [FP], Immunology, Haematology, Microbiology and Virology); each of these Divisions are established in partnership with the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), or the Provincial Department of Health [FP].

The University of Cape Town and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) invite applications for the above permanent post of Professor/Associate Professor and Head: Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology.

The Division of Human Genetics at UCT plays a pivotal role in Human Genetics research, medical education, and service provision. The Head of Division (HODiv) will lead, champion, and manage all focus areas within the Division, including genomics research, teaching, training, and social responsiveness, both within South Africa and on an international scale. The HODiv will develop strategic and operational plans in consultation with the Head of Department (HOD) of Pathology, the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) Dean, GSH CEO, and NHLS CEO, driving innovation and ensuring best practices in all activities. This role demands academic leadership to advance the Division’s scholarship, teaching, and standards, while fostering staff and student development and creating an integrated, innovative academic unit. The successful candidate will also manage Divisional staff and resources, promote diversity, transformation, and equity, and be prepared to assume the rotational role of Head of the Department of Pathology. Active participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research, clinical/laboratory diagnostics, and a multidisciplinary approach to Human Genetics across hospitals in the Cape Town Metropolitan district is also expected.

REQUIREMENTS:

The successful candidate: -

Must be a recognised or emerging leader in the field of Human Genetics and should have a record of management experience and diagnostics applications
Must be a Medical Scientist/Genetic Counsellor with a PhD in a related field, or a specialist Medical Geneticist
Registered or eligible for registration with the HPCSA
Must have insight into the challenges and opportunities for advancing precision medicine in South Africa and Africa
Must be committed to teaching and training, and research
Must have experience in academic scholarship
Must provide leadership across the service and teaching platform
Must have insight into the challenges and opportunities for advancing health care and specifically through the discipline of Human Genetics in South Africa and Africa
Must have a track record of effective teaching experience in Human Genetics up to PhD level
Must have previous experience in supervising student projects up to PhD level
Must have a good research background evidenced by a track record of international peer-reviewed publications
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, in writing and orally
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse colleagues and students and to work well in a team
Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, under pressure, and meet deadlines
Demonstrated good administrative organizational skills

Key performance areas of the job are as follows:

Provide oversight of the clinical and laboratory diagnostic services in the Division
Coordination and oversight of the Human Genetics curriculum at undergraduate and postgraduate level
Designing and implementation of new undergraduate and postgraduate Human Genetics courses as required.
Conduct clinical, basic and/or translational Human Genetics research
Supervision of students at Honours, MSc, MMed and PhD level
Supporting and mentoring of post-doctoral fellows, early-career scientists, genetic counsellors, registrars and medical geneticists
Provide leadership in the Department and manage its staff, resources and performance (service and academic), inspiring innovation and growth.
Provide leadership in addressing issues of diversity, transformation, inclusivity and equity, attracting and developing students and staff of high quality.
Fostering supportive and productive relationships between researchers, clinicians, genetic counsellors and diagnostic service providers in Human Genetics
Fostering interdisciplinary collaborations between both internal and external departments and divisions both within and outside the faculty and university.

For detailed information on this post, please view the job description on the following link: (view)

Appointment will be made at the level of Professor or Associate Professor in alignment with the candidate’s standing as well as the Faculty’s expectations for performance at each academic rank.

The position is full-time on the establishment of the University of Cape Town, under the auspices of, and in terms of the agreements between, the University of Cape Town and the NHLS.

The annual remuneration package is negotiable and includes competitive benefits.

Enquiries about this position should be directed to Professor Komala Pillay, Head: Department of Pathology at komala.pillay@uct.ac.za

To apply, click the "apply" button to create a candidate profile and to submit your application.

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

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Motivational letter that speaks to the requirements of the position and
Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address and telephone number.

An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency and pre-placement-medical assessments. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Any enquiries around the application process to be addressed to Ms Tracy Moore at tracy.moore@uct.ac.za or 021 650 5405.

Closing date: 13 October 2024

Faculty website: https://health.uct.ac.za

Reference number: ID802

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.