Part-time Junior Lecturer (PhD Candidate)

Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering

Part-time Junior Lecturer (PhD Candidate) (5 posts, (five-year, fixed term appointment)

(Ref. ING03/371/1117)

This is a five-year, fixed term appointment.

The Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering is well established in the fields of structural mechanics (design, analysis, testing and optimisation), noise and vibration, mechanical design, mechatronics (including automation, biomedical applications and reverse engineering), energy systems, heat transfer and thermo-fluid dynamics (including renewable energy).

This appointment is specifically aimed at training young academic personnel. The incumbente will register for a PhD degree in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering (Stellenbosch University) at the first opportunity after taking up his/her duties. It will be a part-time PhD registration. About 40% of the incumbent's time will be spent towards supporting the academic activities of his/her mentor and will not necessarily relate to the PhD research. In consultation with the Department's management committee, the incumbent can select one of the professors of the Department on condition that there is a position available with the selected professor.

Applicants must indicate a preferred study area with their application. Only one appointment per study area will be made. Final selection will be negotiated during the appointment process.

 

Possible study areas include:

• Finite Element Methods, optimisation and material characterisation;
• Air-cooled condenser systems;
• Metal casting (modelling and experimentation) (NM);
• Optimisation; Artificial Intelligence; CPU/GPU Parallel Computing; Mathematical Programming and Modelling; Composites, Sustainability;
• Discrete Element Modelling (DEM) of bulk materials handling;
• Visual robot navigation;
• CFD Analysis of the Spiky Central Receiver Air Preheater (SCRAP) (TMH, TWvB and Lubkoll).

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  Duties:

• Research towards obtaining a PhD degree in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University. Three days per week is reserved for full time research;
• Supporting the mentor/supervisor in general academic tasks, which may include any of the following and will take up two days per week:
  • Compiling and marking exam papers;
  • Keeping class lists up to date;
  • Presenting lectures/tutorials;
  • General support of the mentor¿s teaching activities;
  • Writing research proposals, articles and reports;
  • Undergraduate supervision;
  • Maintaining laboratories.

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Job equirements:

• An ECSA accredited BEng or BSc(Eng) degree in Mechanical or Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent;
• A MEng (research) degree in mechanical or mechatronic engineering, or equivalent, ór proof that the candidate is registered for the degree.If the degree is not yet awarded, a copy of the final, submitted, thesis must be submitted three days before the oral interview. Proof of submission must be submitted;
• Good communication and teaching skills;
• Ability to effectively teach in English;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Proven research skills.

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• Ability to work effectively in a multilingual environment;
• Proven teaching experience;
• Proven experience as lab engineer.