Professor / Associate Professor (Social Work)

Listing reference: ukzn_000658

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 26 October 2025

Position summary

Industry: Education & Training

Job category: University and Academy

Location: Durban

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

Introduction

The University of KwaZulu-Natal is one of the top Universities in South Africa and in the top 500 Universities globally. The School of Social Sciences is well established with a strong research profile and has a large number of undergraduate and postgraduate students. The school has a Social Work programme with an established reputation for professional training as well as a vibrant postgraduate research programme.

Job description

• The incumbent will be required to teach at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Social Work.
• In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to be actively engaged in research and supervise student research projects at undergraduate and post-graduate levels.
• She/he will also be expected to contribute to other programmes and activities offered in the Discipline, including, but not limited to casework, groupwork and community work supervision; academic administration, leadership and mentoring; and community engagement.

The incumbent will report to the Academic Leader: Social Work

Minimum requirements

Professor

• A PHD degree in Social Work or Cognate Discipline
• A Master's degree in Social Work
• At least 9 years of working and relevant experience in either teaching, research, or industry.
• Excellent and sustained publication of independent research in quality scientific journals, appropriate for the level.
• Excellent and sustained track record of successful attraction of external research grants
• Excellent and sustained 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 Discipline / School/ College/ University /Industry which includes mentorship and coaching
• Evidence of registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP)

Associate Professor

• A PHD degree in Social Work or Cognate Discipline.
• A Masters degree in Social Work.
• At least 6 years of working and relevant experience in either teaching, research, or industry
• Evidence of current and sustained publication of independent research in quality scientific journals, appropriate for the level
• Evidence of sustained and successful attraction of external research grants
• A sustained 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, which includes mentorship and coaching
• Evidence of registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP)

The closing date for receipt of applications is 05th September 2025.

Short-listed candidates may be expected to do a presentation on a specific topic.

Kindly note that the University of KwaZulu-Natal ("the University") is required to process any Personal Information (as defined by the Protection of Personal Act, 2013 "POPIA") submitted by candidates when applying for positions at the University. The provision of the Personal Information is a requirement in terms of the University's recruitment and selection process. The retention of any personal information is as a consequence of the University being bound by legislative requirements and / or good governance practices as well as record keeping for statistical purposes. The University will endeavour to ensure that the appropriate security measures are in place and implemented for both electronic and paper-based formats that are used for processing of the personal information recorded through this recruitment and selection process.

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.

• Please do not send us copies of your degree and other certificates. We will request certified copies if you are short listed for interview.

• Please read the advertisement carefully. We do not consider applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements.

• The University is committed to Employment Equity.

• The University reserves the right not to fill a vacancy.

• Should you not hear from us within six weeks of the closing date, please assume you are unsuccessful

• Please familiarise yourself with the University's Section 18 Notice regarding the processing of your Personal Information.