Associate Professor - Department of Statistics - Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

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

The University of Pretorias 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.

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Statistics at the University of Pretoria offers various programs in Statistics to undergraduate and postgraduate students, mainly in two faculties, namely the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science and the Faculty of Economic and Management Science. The Department also presents several service statistical modules and courses in many departments and faculties of the University of Pretoria. Over the years, the Department of Statistics at the University has become a leading statistics department in teaching and learning in South Africa. It also pursues a research-intensive profile with expertise in a number of fields; including statistical theory and methodology, time series analysis, statistical data science, computational statistics, model-based clustering, and biostatistical methodology and application. We are looking to recruit a suitably qualified individual who will enhance and complement our vibrant and robust teaching and learning as well as our research portfolios.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will be responsible for:

• Lecturing at undergraduate and postgraduate level on the Hatfield, Groenkloof and / or Mamelodi Campuses;
• Providing academic leadership as a teacher, researcher and manager;
• Conducting research in at least one of the departmental research focus areas and / or initiate a new research direction in Statistics that will lead to publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals;
• Supervise and mentor postgraduate students;
• Establish and maintain discipline specific and multi-disciplinary international partnerships and linkages;
• Initiating and delivering specialist courses at national and international levels;
• Be responsible for fundraising relating to academic research activities;
• Participate in departmental administration and managerial duties;
• Participate in faculty and institutional structures;
• Participate in community engagement and outreach activities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A PhD degree in Mathematical Statistics or Statistics;
• A minimum of 10 years experience at an academic institution;
• Experience as an independent researcher at an international level, based on a recent body of quality work within Statistics that attests to on-going engagement;
• Excellent teaching experience in learning facilitation, subject mastery, curriculum development, development of learning materials and assessment techniques;
• Proven experience in supervising Masters and PhD students to completion.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• Business acumen:
  • The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations;
• Results orientated:
  • The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals and work to achieve success;
  • The ability to stick with tasks and overcome obstacles in completing tasks;
  • Be reliable, responsible and dependable in fulfilling obligations;
• The ability to deal calmly and effectively with conflict situations;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to function with ease in the UP environment;
• Leadership:
  • The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together;
  • The ability to manage diverse teams and ensure a sustainable outcome.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• Innovative contributions to teaching in some of the following aspects: learning facilitation, subject mastery, curriculum development, development of learning materials, assessment techniques;
• Proven experience in fundraising for academic research;
• Recognition as a leading scholar in the field for the high quality and wide-ranging impact of recent and sustained quality research outputs;
• Excellent professional and managerial skills;
• Proven experience of supervising Masters and PhD students in the South African context;
• An appropriate NRF rating or in the process of being rated (for South African applicants).

PLEASE NOTE: All applicants invited for an interview might be expected to present a lecture on a specific topic. The Department of Statistics reserves the right to request and review copies of academic publications (papers/dissertations/theses) for suitability before any candidate may be invited to an interview.

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

Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za

In applying for these posts, please attach:

• A comprehensive UP format CV, the CV should include an electronic link to the applicants Masters degree dissertation and PhD thesis;
• 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 three peer reviewers (academic and research);
• Teaching portfolio;
• Research portfolio including a self-assessment of research outputs;
• Career profile narrative.

CLOSING DATE: 19 March 2025

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

ENQUIRIES:

Mrs E Kühn, Tel: (012) 420 2810 or elsabe.kuhn@up.ac.za for application-related enquiries, and Prof SM Millard, sollie.millard@up.ac.za for enquiries relating to the post content.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 May 2025, 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. All candidates agree to undergo verification of personal credentials.

By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record, credit record, current and historic disciplinary proceedings as part of the selection process.

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