SENIOR LECTURER/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR/PROFESSOR: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 

(Permanent position)

Department of Mechanical Engineering

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The University of Cape Town is in the top rank of Universities in South Africa, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering endeavours to contribute to this reputation. The faculty is home to cutting-edge and impactful research, offering strong internationally accredited teaching programmes to a diverse student body, and is recognised nationally and globally as a major contributor to the development and transformation of society. This is achieved through world class research in niche areas (e.g., structural impact and materials engineering, computational mechanics and fluid dynamics, energy studies, engineering education, among others), as well as through excellent teaching based on sound pedagogical principles. The Department is well established, internationally accredited, and has historically produced some of the country’s most competent mechanical engineers.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering seeks to appoint a permanent and full-time academic at the Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, or Professor level to undertake teaching in mechanical engineering, and to research in the field of mechanical and/or mechatronic engineering. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to teaching, administration, research, and social responsiveness activities in the Department. We invite suitably qualified persons to apply for this position.

Requirements for the position:

For all levels:

• A BSc (Eng) or BEng in Mechanical, Mechanical and Mechatronic, or Electro-Mechanical Engineering.

Industry Track

• A MSc (Eng) in Mechanical, Mechanical and Mechatronic, or Electro-Mechanical Engineering, with at least 5 years of industrial experience.
• Some teaching experience to undergraduate or post graduate students or at an equivalent level.

Academic Track

• PhD in engineering with at least three years of teaching experience, as well as experience with curriculum design and development.
• Able to register as a Professional Engineer (PrEng) as defined by ECSA (PrTech is not sufficient).
• Is recognized as a teacher who makes a meaningful contribution to undergraduate and/or postgraduate teaching, is involved in curriculum design and development.
• A growing reputation as a researcher, as demonstrated by publications in accredited journals, post-graduate supervision and professional involvement.

For appointment at Associate Professor level (academic track only):

• PhD in engineering.
• Excellent reputation for leadership as a researcher, as demonstrated by publications in accredited journals, post-graduate supervision and high-level professional involvement.
• Is recognized as an effective teacher who makes a substantial contribution to undergraduate and/or postgraduate teaching, is active in curriculum design and development, and is responsive to the needs of students as demonstrated by teaching evaluation reports and others where appropriate.

For appointment at Professor level (academic track only):

• PhD in engineering.
• An outstanding reputation for leadership as a researcher, as demonstrated by publications in accredited journals, post-graduate supervision including PhD, high-level professional involvement and international recognition.
• Is recognized as an excellent teacher who makes a major contribution to undergraduate and/or postgraduate teaching, provides leadership in curriculum design and development, and is responsive to the needs of students.

Demonstrated qualities that would inform the level of appointment:

• A track record of research projects, securing funding and research publications.
• Experience in the management of courses, staff and/or research projects.
• Experience of the management and leadership of projects, and supervision of research students.
• National Research Foundation (NRF) rating as a researcher, or potential for such rating.
• Postdoctoral research experience, or relevant industrial experience in engineering industry and/or academia.

The successful candidate will be expected to (responsibility):

• Contribute to the teaching of courses within the department, primarily mechanical engineering, including the lecturing and supervision of students, developing course material, and contributing to excellence in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
• Conduct research, attract funding, supervise postgraduate students, publish in accredited journals, and contribute to excellence in research in the Department.
• Contribute to administration and leadership in the Department.
• Contribute to the Department’s social responsiveness by engaging with community and/or industry through teaching and research.

The annual remuneration package, including benefits, is:

• Senior Lecturer:             R1 147 460
• Associate Professor:      R1 378 741
• Professor:                      R1 694 867

To apply, please visit the UCT Jobs Site (www.jos.uct.ac.za). (link to be added) (For Internal Applicants) and (link to be added) (For External Applicants) 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);
• Letter of Motivation indicating for which position (Senior Lecturer or Associate Professor/Professor) you applying for and how you meet the requirements as outlined above;
• Transcripts of your academic results; 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.

Please contact Prof Tunde Bello-Ochende, the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, at tunde.bello-ochende@uct.ac.za with enquiries regarding this position.

Any enquiries around the application process to be addressed to Mr Ian Petersen at ian.petersen@uct.ac.za 021 650 2163.   

Closing date:              28 May 2025

Website:                    https://ebe.uct.ac.za/department-mechanical-engineering

Reference number:    ID1087

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.