Lecturer / Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor: Plant Taxonomy / Systematics and Herbarium Curato

FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCES

LECTURER / SENIOR LECTURER / ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR: PLANT TAXONOMY / SYSTEMATICS AND HERBARIUM CURATOR (ONE POST)

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy.

The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will be responsible for:

• Undergraduate and honours level teaching (e.g. second year contributions to BOT 251 Flora and Vegetation of South Africa; BOT 366 Plant Diversity; honours level courses on systematics and taxonomy);
• The curation of the Schweickerdt Herbarium (PRU; 110,000 plant specimens), financial management and management of associated support staff;
• Supervising postgraduate students;
• Acquiring research funding;
• Conducting and leading research in plant systematics, taxonomy and biogeography/floristics that build upon and complement departmental and institutional strengths in plant systematics and biodiversity;
• Initiating community engagement projects, and engaging in professional development activities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A PhD degree in Plant Taxonomy/Systematics;
• Expertise and experience in herbarium curation;
• Good knowledge of the African and Southern African flora, and expertise in at least one large/important African plant group/family;
• A track record of publications in the relevant field in ISI accredited journals;
• Experience in most of the following: “Traditional” taxonomy (including nomenclature), molecular systematics, phylogenetics, phytogeography/biogeography, plant anatomy, cytology and morphology;
• Driver's license.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• Sufficient knowledge of the required subjects to lecture and present practicals in plant taxonomy, identification, diversity, and biogeography to undergraduate and honours classes;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Documented proof of own research outputs in plant taxonomy, systematics, biogeography or a related field;
• Ability to seek out funding opportunities and successfully apply for local and international funding;
• Must be able to plan and participate in field trips and undertake field work in southern Africa;
• Appropriate language and communication skills, both written and verbal.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• Post-doctoral experience;
• Proven academic capabilities in teaching, learning, research and research supervision;
• Evidence of successful funding applications;
• NRF rating.

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent’s level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED medical aid scheme and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.

Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za, and follow the link: Careers@UP.

In applying for this post, please attach:

• A comprehensive CV;
• Certified copies of qualifications;
• Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact;
• Names and contact details of peer reviewers (academic and research);
• Self-evaluation.

CLOSING DATE:  8 March 2017

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

ENQUIRIES: Ms Rene Fryer, Tel: (012) 420 3770, or Prof Nigel Barker, Tel: (012) 420 2593

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­31 May 2017, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups.

All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply.

The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised positions.