You are Destined for Great Things! Opportunities at the The University of Johannesburg (UJ)

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORS (DPs) – FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (4IR)

DISTINGUISHED VISITING ACADEMICS (DVAs) – FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (4IR)

PROFESSORS OF PRACTICE (PoPs) – FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (4IR)

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan university, anchored in Africa, which is dynamically shaping the future. In realising this vision, UJ embraces innovation and the collaborative pursuit of knowledge and strives towards global excellence and stature (GES). The embodiment of core values,  such as independent thinking,  meaningful engagement and sustainable development with a foundation deeply rooted in consistency and transparency, make the University an international institution of choice for global excellence and stature.

Through relevant processes of the Senate and other groups at the University, UJ Council has supported a major catalytic initiative for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The Initiative, envisioned by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Tshilidzi Marwala, is to “position UJ in the Fourth Industrial Revolution within the context of the changing social, political and economic fortunes of Africa”.

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORS (DPs) – FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (4IR)

Through the five-year strategic initiative, the University will create a number of new academic positions.        We are interested in appointing outstanding scholars of national and international stature who are capable     of  working  between  academic departments  and  4IR  disciplines.  For  example,  an  artificial  intelligence   (AI)  expert  would  collaborate  extensively  with  Humanities  and  Social  Sciences  departments,  centres    and academics. Our goal is to lead 4IR research,  ideation  and  innovation  in  both  ‘hard’  and  ‘soft’  knowledge areas and skillsets across the institution to promote and provide innovative solutions to the challenges that the Fourth  Industrial  Revolution  must  overcome  to  be  a  force  for  good.  We therefore  also  welcome  applications  from  candidates  whose  work  critiques  and  problematises  the  notion  of  4IR   in the contemporary socio-economic and geopolitical context. Ultimately, the aim is to find constructive, critical and future-focused ways to ensure that South Africa can participate actively in and contribute productively      to 4IR.

Minimum requirements: Candidates must:

• Hold a doctoral degree or equivalent  qualification
• Be appointable at the level of a Full Professor benchmarked  internationally
• Ideally, be an A- or B-rated Researcher (National Research Foundation (NRF)), if in the South African university system or equivalent
• Be an outstanding and innovative researcher whose accomplishments have made a major impact in their field
• Be recognised internationally as an undisputed leader in their field and/or have received substantial international recognition for their research contributions (citations and impact of their research and/or innovation)
• Have a proven track record of multidisciplinary research activities with clear expertise in AI or other areas of 4IR, for instance, relating to other disciplines, such as, ethics and/or the policy/legislative environment/ education, etc or alternatively pursue an approach that will allow for substantial leveraging of  4IR
• Have achieved a high volume and quality of research output as evidenced by accredited publications   (e.g. journal articles, books, book chapters, accredited publications) and/or other significant publications, artefacts, patents and research grants  awarded
• Have a sustained and proven track record in successfully supervising and mentoring postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, taking into account the practices of the relevant field

DISTINGUISHED VISITING ACADEMICS (DVAs) – FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (4IR)

The University seeks to appoint Distinguished Visiting Academics (DVAs) to conduct multidisciplinary research involving multiple academic departments and aligned to 4IR disciplines. We are looking for outstanding scholars and practitioners, both established and fast emerging, who have a distinguished, national or internationally renowned academic profile or innovation portfolio. We  are particularly interested in appointing DVAs  who    are capable of work between academic departments. For example, an artificial intelligence (AI) expert might collaborate extensively with Humanities and Social Sciences departments, centres and academics. Our goal       is to lead 4IR research, ideation and innovation in both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ knowledge areas and skillsets, so as     to provide innovative solutions to the challenges the Fourth Industrial Revolution must overcome to be a force for good. We, therefore, also welcome applications from candidates whose work critiques and problematises the notion of 4IR in the contemporary socio-economic and geopolitical context. Ultimately, the aim is to find constructive, critical and future-focused ways to ensure that South Africa can participate actively in and contribute productively to 4IR.

Distinguished Visiting Academics include both internationally established (Distinguished Visiting Professors)  and fast-emerging academics (Emerging Visiting Scholars). At the same time, we are also interested in persons in industry who have led the creation and development of intellectual property (IP) relating to 4IR. We envisage their collaborations with the University and to allow the infusion of innovation with our students, postdoctoral research fellows and the academy generally.

Minimum requirements: Distinguished Visiting Professors Candidates must:

• Hold doctoral degree or equivalent qualification
• Be appointable at the level of a Full Professor benchmarked  internationally
• Ideally be an A- or B-rated Researcher (National Research Foundation (NRF)), if in the South African university system
• Be outstanding and innovative researchers, whose accomplishments have made a major impact in their  field
• Be recognised internationally as an undisputed leader in their field and/or have received substantial international recognition for their research contributions (citations and impact of their research and/or innovation)
• Have a proven track record of multidisciplinary research activities with clear expertise in AI or other 4IR areas, for instance, relating to other disciplines, such as, ethics and/or the policy/legislative environment/ education, etc or alternatively pursue an approach that will allow for substantial leveraging of  4IR
• Have achieved a high volume and quality of research output as evidenced by accredited publications   (eg journal articles, books, book chapters, accredited publications) and/or other significant publications, artefacts, patents and research grants  awarded
• Have a sustained and proven track record in successfully supervising and mentoring postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, taking into account the practices of the relevant field
• Have a portfolio of evidence of strong networks and collaboration with international partners, as well as publishing with prestigious international institutions and highly acclaimed  scholars
• Demonstrate collaboration with industry or science councils, where applicable

As this is a ‘visiting’ appointment – the primary employer must allow appointments and collaborative/ affiliated research, creative or innovation outputs with UJ.

PROFESSORS OF PRACTICE (PoPs) - FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (4IR)

Through the five-year strategic initiative, the University has created a number of new academic and practitioner positions. This call is for Professors of Practice (PoPs). We are interested in appointing exceptionally qualified and influential practitioners of national or international stature, who are willing to provide effective, practice-oriented strategic direction and to advise on cutting-edge multidisciplinary research and innovation activities/programmes, involving multiple academic departments, involving the University’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and aligned to 4IR disciplines. Typically, potential applicants will be industry and business experts, clinical practitioners, legal experts, professionals in the creative arts, as well as senior officials in the public sector with extensive experience.

A Professor of Practice is a title conferred by the University on a person external to the University. It is a non- permanent position, occupied by professionals who will contribute to the University’s academic enterprise through their professional expertise. PoPs will be distinguished professionals, whose track record of practical experience and expertise will contribute significantly to enhancing UJ’s teaching and research programmes, thereby enabling students to develop a better understanding of the links between theory and praxis.

Minimum requirements: The candidate must:

• Have an outstanding track record of professional and practical experience, with potential to contribute to the research, innovation and/or creative mission of the University
• 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.
• Have a portfolio of evidence of strong networks and collaboration with international partners, as well as publishing with prestigious international institutions and highly acclaimed  scholars
• Have evidence of collaborations with industry or science councils, if relevant
• Have scholarly contribution, over an extended period, to the academic enterprise of research, teaching and learning and community  engagement.

Expected outputs:

• Provide research and innovation leadership in areas linked to 4IR
• Generate and advance knowledge in multidisciplinary research aligned to  4IR
• Produce accredited research outputs in multidisciplinary research aligned to 4IR, with emphasis on citation and impact of their research and innovation and publishing in high impact   journals
• Produce recognised creative and/or innovation outputs, where applicable
• Train students particularly at master’s and doctoral levels; incumbents will be assessed on the number of students trained and timeously graduated
• Demonstrable socio-economic, political, legal, creative, technological or other impact of the  research
• Develop public appreciation and understanding of 4IR, dialogue and conversation, development of op-eds, and communication
• Strategic collaborations and partnerships with industry  partners
• Distinguished Professors must leverage additional project and programme-based funding, nationally, regionally and/or internationally
• Develop public appreciation and understanding of 4IR, dialogue and conversation, development of op-eds, and communication
• Contribute to curriculum design, such as contributing to the development of curricula or continuing education programmes (CEPs) relevant to 4IR, where applicable

Strongly encouraged to apply for NRF rating, if not already  rated.

Ultimately, outputs must be measurable and time bound enabling a return on investment.

Appointment terms:

Distinguished Professors are appointed on a five-year full-time contract, based at the University of Johannesburg

Subject to availability of funding, a fall-back position within an academic department may be negotiated.

Emerging Visiting Scholars

Scholars are sought at all levels, and must display excellence at their career stage. Successful candidates   will:

• Either hold a Doctoral degree or equivalent qualification, or supply compelling evidence that the doctorate will be awarded no later than six months after date of appointment
• Demonstrate potential for becoming future international leaders in their field on the basis of exceptional research performance and output from their doctoral and/or early postdoctoral research careers
• Ideally holding a P- or Y1-rating (National Research Foundation (NRF)), if in the South African university system; otherwise, be suitable for consideration and willing to apply
• Have a track record of multidisciplinary research activities commensurate with career stage with clear expertise in AI or other 4IR areas, for example (but not limited to): Cognitive science; computational linguistics; philosophy of artificial intelligence; history of science and technology; sociology of science and technology; policy frameworks relating to 4IR education and 4IR; and other similar fields
• Show evidence of networks and collaboration with international partners, as well as publishing in high impact journals, relative to career stage
• Develop public appreciation and understanding of 4IR, dialogue and conversation, development of op-eds, and communication
• Collaborate with industry, where applicable

As this is a ‘visiting’ appointment, if there is a primary employer, they must allow appointments and collaborative/affiliated research outputs with UJ.

Expected outputs for DVAs:

• Expected outputs would be negotiated on the basis of appointment terms and in a mutually beneficial way. Ultimately, outputs must be measurable and time bound enabling a return-on-investment:
• DVAs are expected to conduct multidisciplinary research aligned to 4IR involving different academic entities of the University
• Postgraduate co-supervision with an emphasis on timely  completion
• Produce UJ-affiliated and recognised research, creative or innovation outputs with an emphasis on citations and impacts
• Demonstrable socio-economic, political, legal, creative, technological or other impact of the  research
• Strategic collaboration with international entities in international events, such as conferences, as well as publishing with international institutions, scholars and scientists
• DVAs must leverage additional project and programme-based external funding, nationally, regionally and/ or internationally
• Develop public appreciation and understanding of 4IR, dialogue and conversation, development of op-eds, and communication
• Contribute to curriculum design, such as contributing to the development of curricula or continuing education programmes (CEPs) relevant to 4IR, where applicable

Strongly encouraged to apply for NRF rating, if not already  rated.

Appointment terms:

DVAs are appointed on a five-year contract and are expected to spend three months a year, negotiable, at the University of Johannesburg (may be structured following negotiations with the host)

Subject to availability of funding, the contract is renewable based on exceptional  performance.

Expected outputs:

• Expected outputs would be negotiated on the basis of appointment terms and in a mutually beneficial way. Ultimately, outputs must be measurable and time bound enabling a return on investment:
• Provide research and innovation leadership in areas linked to 4IR
• Generate and advance knowledge in multidisciplinary research aligned to  4IR
• Produce UJ-affiliated and recognised research, creative or innovation outputs with an emphasis on citations and impacts, of their research and innovation; alternatively develop the University’s intellectual property (IP) portfolio – the measure would be IP licenced to industry
• Demonstrable socio-economic, political, legal, creative, technological or other impact of the  research
• Develop public appreciation and understanding of 4IR, dialogue and conversation, develop op-eds, and communication
• Co-supervise students, particularly at master’s and doctoral levels
• Collaborate with staff members to further enhance the academic-industry footprint and  valorisation
• Collaborate with industry partners
• Leverage additional project and programme-based funding, nationally, regionally and/or  internationally.

Appointment terms:

Professors of Practice and Practitioners are appointed on a three-year contract on a full-time or visiting basis. Candidates opting for the latter contract term will be expected to spend three months a year, negotiable, at UJ

Subject to funding, the contract is renewable based on excellent performance.