Subject Head/ Subject Coordinator: Six (6) months contract appointment (Job ID: 6389)

Job Title

Subject Head/ Subject Coordinator: Six (6) months contract appointment (Job ID: 6389)

Organizational Unit

University of the Free State -> Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences -> Department Chemistry

Contract Type

Contract

Occupational Level

Temporary

Location

Qwaqwa Campus - Qwaqwa, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date

27/3/2026

Description

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PERMANENT ACADEMIC STAFF WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST!!!

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

Requirements

To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).

Duties And Responsibilities

• Manage the curricula processes of the Programme for Chemistry/ Polymer Science.
• Develop new learning programmes in consultation with stakeholders.
• Ensure frequent and continuous development and management of the operational plan of the Chemistry department.
• Provide general leadership in the Chemistry Department and ensure academic coherence across all modules of the programme.
• Account for financial management (annual budgeting, financial planning, allocation of funds, and financial control), and deployment of the resources needed for maximum benefit to the delivery of the Chemistry department.
• Motivate and lead employees in the Chemistry Department to achieve transformation within the Programme and the institution.
• Ensure that the activities of the Chemistry Department are undertaken in accordance with the governance, policy, and regulatory frameworks of the University.
• Provide top-quality, research-informed facilitation of learning to ensure practice-based learning and improvement.
• Assume responsibility for the academic quality of the Chemistry Department.
• Manage the academic administration of the Chemistry Department.
• Monitor and manage quality assurance of technology and innovation activities in the Chemistry Department.
• Ensure scholarship of high quality and specialised expertise.
• Manage matters relating to teaching, learning, and students in the Chemistry Department.
• Conduct own research.
• Provide academic advice in terms of academic inquiries, amendments of yearbooks, schedules, timetables, etc. related to the Chemistry Department.
• Serve on the marketing committee of the faculty as necessary.
• Compile an annual marketing plan and budget and ensure effective planning of the implementation thereof in cooperation with the support services concerned.
• Ensure appropriate advertising of the Chemistry department.
• Compile marketing pamphlets or any suitable marketing materials.
• Ensure involvement in the introduction of the Chemistry Department Road shows and open days.

Inherent Requirements

• A PhD on NQF Level 10 in Chemistry or Polymer Science.
• A full-time, permanent member of the academic staff of the Department of Chemistry at the University of the Free State (UFS)

Recommendations

• Research Output: Sustained record of publishing in high-impact, accredited, or peer-reviewed journals.
• Supervision Experience: Demonstrated experience in supervising postgraduate students (MSc/ PhD) to completion.

Competencies

Required Competencies

• Results Orientated:
• The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.
• Strategic Thinking:
• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.
• Business Acumen:
• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.
• Leading:
• The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.
• Building Coalitions:
• The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others.
• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Assumption Of Duties

01 May 2026 or as soon as possible

Closing Date

27 March 2026

Allowance

The Subject Head allowance is payable, which is calculated according to a transparent formula approved by the relevant decision-making structures of the UFS. The value of the allowance is available on request.

Enquiries

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 2876 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 9814/2979 for assistance.

General

The UFS 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 including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at: ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.