CORE PURPOSE OF JOB

The Nelson Mandela University is seeking to appoint a Physical Geographer in its Department of Geosciences. The core purpose of this position is:

• To promote excellence through under and postgraduate teaching in the areas of Physical Geography, Geomorphology, GIS and Remote Sensing (particularly Hyperspectral RS).
• To be part of a research team (and possibly playing a leading role therein) investigating among other things, catchment based and climate change related issues.
• To strengthen the sub-discipline area of Physical Geography by providing support in GIS and Remote Sensing (particularly Hyperspectral RS).
• To supervise and promote student research at postgraduate level.   

The successful candidate should also perform administrative functions within the department and enhance coordination between its geological and geographical divisions and strengthen collaboration with other academics in trans-disciplinary studies.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Facilitate learning processes in the Department of Geosciences at the under and postgraduate levels.
• Promote research in the Department of Geosciences in Physical Geography, Geomorphology, GIS and Remote Sensing (particularly Hyperspectral RS) and in catchment based and climate change related studies.  
• Leverage research funding from funding organizations.
• Develop collaboration with other scientists in trans-disciplinary studies.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Possess expert knowledge in the theory and application of Physical Geography, Geomorphology, GIS and Remote Sensing (particularly Hyperspectral RS).  

• Demonstrated pursuit of a distinct research trajectory.
• Demonstrated supervision of student research at Masters and Doctoral levels.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proven ability to engage research stakeholders, students and decision makers.
• Proven ability to successfully develop under and postgraduate courses.  

REQUIREMENTS

• For a lecturer position, candidates must have a Masters degree with specialisation in Physical Geography, Geomorphology, GIS and Remote Sensing (particularly Hyperspectral RS) and at least 2 years relevant and / or related working experience. Preference will be given to candidates with a PhD degree with specialisation in Physical Geography, Geomorphology, GIS and Remote Sensing (particularly Hyperspectral RS) and at least 1 year relevant and / or related working experience.
• For a senior lecturer position, candidates must have a PhD degree with specialisation in Physical Geography, Geomorphology, GIS and Remote Sensing, and between 1 and 5 years relevant working experience.

• For both lecturer and senior lecturer levels, preference will be given to candidates with the following:

• Experience in Remote Sensing and GIS applications in under and postgraduate teaching and research, including relevant GIS/RS software.
• Experience in leading field work in Geomorphology, GIS, and Remote Sensing at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Evidence of supervision of relevant Masters and Doctoral student research.
• Evidence of research in catchment based and climate change related studies.