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Job Description

Associate Professor (Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture: Graduate School of Architecture)

Advert reference: uj_000803
Apply by: 4 November 2022

Position Summary
Industry: Education & Training
Job category: Education and Training
Campus: Auckland Park Bunting Road Campus
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: Open to all
Level: Skilled

Introduction

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan university, anchored in Africa and driven by a powerful strategy focused on attaining global excellence and stature (GES). With an emphasis on independent thinking, sustainable development and strategic partnerships, UJ is an international university of choice. The University is guided by the Vice-Chancellor’s vision of “Positioning UJ in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in the context of the changing social, political and economic fortunes of Africa”.

Job description

The Council of the University of Johannesburg has declared the University as a mandatory vaccination site as per the applicable policy ((https://www.uj.ac.za/covid-19/). All applications and offers of employment is dependent upon compliance with the said policy.

Architectural studies at the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Johannesburg are offered through the Department of Architecture (DoA) and of the Graduate School of Architecture (GSA). The GSA at UJ is the largest post-graduate school of architecture in Africa and has established itself as a progressive and innovative nexus of architectural training, education and research. The School employs the Unit system for the teaching of its professional Master’s programme and is currently actively developing post-professional Advanced Design Research Master’s offerings (MArch Design, Theory and Practice) together with both traditional and practice-based PhDs and the Post-Graduate Diploma in Architectural Management. The GSA is seeking to make a new appointment at the Associate Professor level to commence in January/February 2023. Undergraduate Architectural programmes at the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Johannesburg are offered through the Department of Architecture and Postgraduate programmes through the GSA.

Job Description:

The successful candidate will be involved with working with the GSA staff in delivering a world-class, transformative pedagogical model, uniquely rooted in the African context and will lead a GSA Unit in the professional programme. Developing offerings in new and bold fields of knowledge and research across the School’s principle programmes, the combined BArch(Hons)/M Arch, Professional architectural programme, M Arch Design, Theory & Practice, PhD and the new PG Diploma in Architectural Management. The candidate may be called upon to work with the Department of Architecture (DoA).

The GSA is rapidly developing research and teaching strengths in the following six specialist areas: design research; socially-responsible design; building technology; landscape; urbanism and critical theory. The successful applicant will not only have demonstrable expertise in at least two of these areas with the breadth and vision to encompass other specialisations, including new ones not listed above. 

A proven track record in architectural practice, teaching and research is essential, as are excellent managerial and leadership skills. The successful candidate will be able to share his/her vision for contributing to programmes that bring together the different strengths already present in the school, whilst developing new areas of research that are both locally and globally relevant. In addition, the successful candidate will be able to meaningfully contribute to the transformative work of the GSA through the on-going project of transformative pedagogy through the GSA Unit System a design and research initiative tasked with finding innovative and intellectually rigorous approaches to the transformation of the architectural canon and pedagogy in a developing world context.

Responsibilities:  

• Teach and assess architectural design at and actively participate in Unit System teaching;
• Lead and teach a GSA Unit;
• Contribute actively to research in his/her specialist field;
• Contribute to teaching at undergraduate level at the DoA;
• Publish research, including the work of his/her students, using appropriate channels (peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations) as well as exhibitions, new forms of media and speaking engagements;
• Share in the administration and management of the GSA and the wider Faculty;
• Participate in official meetings of the GSA and Faculty;
• Cultivate an active presence as a public intellectual;
• Supervise postgraduate students within the appropriate programme offerings;
• Develop key national and international links and collaborative opportunities;
• Actively contribute to the development and growth of the GSA

Minimum requirements

• PhD in Architecture or related discipline
• An outstanding track record of professional and practical architectural experience, with potential to contribute to the research, innovation and the creative mission of the GSA;
• Professional qualification and experience in Architecture or similar field;
• In-depth and current knowledge of architectural design and/or urban design in the African diaspora;
• Demonstrable research interest and proven research ability (articles, exhibitions, books);
• A record of collegiality, collaboration and initiative;
• An international profile with a demonstrable network and collaboration potential;
• Supervise postgraduate students within the appropriate programme offerings;
• Demonstrate potential for excellent and meaningful contributions to the University’s Research and Innovation programme and/or potential to contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning, and to the University’s community outreach initiatives and engagements.

 
Competencies and Behavioural Attributes:

• Excellent communication skills in written, spoken and academic English;
• A specialist knowledge of architectural design in at least two of the GSA’s core research areas;
• Proven planning, management and administrative skills;
• Ability to monitor and coach student performance and provide critical feedback in an objective and professional manner;
• Ability to facilitate the teaching of architecture over a broad spectrum of theories and methodologies;
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with people from a wide range of disciplines and to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

 
Recommendations:

• A strong understanding and practice of contemporary, emerging and 'transformative' design pedagogy,
• Familiarity with both evidence-based and practice/design-led research;
• Prior experience or a demonstrable understanding of Unit System teaching methodologies and outputs.

Enquiries:

Enquiries regarding the job content: Morongwa Mametse HCM Business Partner on (011) 559 4014 or Denise Fouche at (011) 559 1104
 

Your application, comprising of a detailed Curriculum Vitae as well as the names and full contact details (including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses) of at least three traceable and credible referees must be uploaded before or on the closing date of the advertised post. Please also attach the following: a copy of your highest academic qualification, proof of registration with professional bodies you might belong to and if applying for an academic position, a list of accredited research output and/ or a portfolio of your creative output.

Enquiries (UJ e-recruitment Portal)

If you have general enquiries regarding the advertised post, please send an e-mail with the subject line being the reference number of the post to vacancies@uj.ac.za
If you require technical support / assistance on the UJ e-recruitment website, please contact our service provider PNET on the following contact details: 0861 227337/010 140 3099 or email ujsupport@pnet.co.za

Candidates may be subjected to appropriate psychometric testing and other selection instruments.

In conjunction to merit on the basis of qualifications, experience and proven achievements the University of Johannesburg is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and those individuals from the historically disadvantaged groups. As necessitated by operational requirements the University reserves the right not to make an appointment to positions advertised. If you have not received a response from the University within 8 weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.