Professor in English Literary Studies x2
Position summary
Introduction
Job description
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is one of South Africa’s leading universities and ranks among the top 500 universities globally. Within the University’s College of Humanities, the School of Arts has a well-established research profile and a substantial community of undergraduate and postgraduate students. As part of this School, English Literary Studies has moved into the twenty-first century with verve and vigour. With a keen eye on the future, our scholars read literatures ranging from the distant past to the hot-off-the-press present, while recognising that reading and interpretation remain vital forms of critical and imaginative engagement within a rapidly changing world. English Literary Studies at UKZN seeks to foreground African scholarship and approaches responsive to our African context, while contributing to wider global debates.
The successful candidates will contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research, curriculum development and postgraduate supervision, and play a leading role in English Literary Studies. Research areas of the candidates may include: South/African literatures, Indian Ocean and world literatures, postcolonial and decolonial approaches, translation, life writing, book and print culture, the sociology of literature, and/or creative or hybrid literary forms.
The Incumbent will report to the Head of Discipline: Literature & Language
Minimum requirements
- A PhD in English Literary Studies, or a cognate discipline
- At least nine years of teaching experience in English Studies at tertiary level
- Evidence of sustained excellent and impactful research through publications in quality journals and books, appropriate for the level
- Excellent and sustained track record of successful attraction of external research grants
- A sustained excellent track record of successful supervision of postgraduate students at Masters and PhD level, appropriate for the level
- Evidence of national and international recognition in a research area within the discipline
- Evidence of strong and sustained academic leadership within the Department/School/ College/University
This appointment will be made in line with the University Guidelines/benchmarks which are available on the University Vacancies website on http://vacancies.ukzn.ac.za/Academic-Process-Proc-Guides.aspx
Enquiries and details regarding this post may be directed to Prof J Zeller, email: Zeller@ukzn.ac.za
The closing date for receipt of application is 13 November 2026.
All applicants are required to apply online on Career Portal, https://ukzn.ci.hr/applicant/index.php
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The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is committed to meeting the objectives of Employment Equity to improve representivity within the Institution. Preference will be given to applicants from designated groups in accordance with our Employment Equity Plan.
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