Director (Professor Level) - WASH R&D Centre - 5 Year Fixed Term Appointment
Position summary
Introduction
Job description
Located in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, School of Engineering, the WASH R&D Centre is an externally funded contract-based research Centre which has a long history dating back to the early 1970s when it was established as the Pollution Research Group (PRG). The WASH R&D Centre is one of the largest research centres in the University, with more than 25 researchers and support staff, numerous national and international collaborators, and the supervision of postgraduate students and interns. Having been led by highly regarded researchers in the field of Chemical Engineering, the Centre has produced Masters and PhD graduates coming from within South Africa, as well as many other countries in Africa, Europe and Asia. Successful collaborative research partnerships have been derived on a local and global level. The impact of this research collaboration can be measured by the contribution made for real applications in industry, government infrastructure and operations, and community development.
The Centre works closely with other disciplines within UKZN, which results in broad research outputs that includes social and gender aspects, circular economy, environmental protection, food security, food-water-energy nexus, and innovative technological water and sanitation interventions. This trans-disciplinary approach facilitates large scale evaluation of community impact and hence deeper understanding and the development of longer-term solutions.
The Director is responsible for the overall strategic management of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme and ensures that the mission, vision and goals of the WASH Centre is met. The Director as the Head of the WASH Centre is responsible for all fundraising, management systems and the formulation, implementation and review of WASH’s strategic direction. The Director will guide the implementation of a 5-year strategy aimed at creating a Centre of Excellence in WASH on a local and national level, and raising funds to become financially independent. The Director will develop collaborative relationships with external bodies at the national and international level. In addition, the Director will conceptualise research projects aimed at realising the goals of the WASH Centre and be actively involved in the supervision of Research Projects in the Centre.
Minimum requirements
- A PhD degree in Engineering
- Evidence of strong and sustained academic leadership within a Department /School/ College/ University, which includes mentorship and coaching
- Demonstrated leadership in municipal, provincial or national activities in the fields of water, sanitation and hygiene
- Excellent and sustained publication and independent research in quality scientific journals, appropriate for the level
- A substantial research contribution through a cogent body of work in the area of water, sanitation and hygiene and related fields as evidenced by a range of international publications, including invited or plenary lectures at national or international conferences.
- Evidence of national and international recognition in a research area within the discipline.
- Excellent and sustained track record of successful supervision of postgraduate students at Masters and PhD level, appropriate for the level
- Excellent and sustained track record of successful attraction of external research grants