Professor / Associate Professor (Political Science) x2

Listing reference: ukzn_000653

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 an active Political Science discipline with a strong research profile, and a large number of postgraduate students in a vibrant postgraduate research programme.

Job description

• The incumbent will be expected to contribute to teaching and research within the discipline of Political Science and associated disciplines such as International Relations, Policy Studies, Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies, and/or Political Theory.
• She/he will also be expected to contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum development, and supervise postgraduate students.
• The incumbent will be required to facilitate dynamic interaction between the curriculum and real-world applications and encounters through research leadership.
• Thought-leadership in one or more of the following would be an advantage: International Relations, Policy Studies, Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies, and/or Political Theory

The incumbent will report to the Academic Leader: Political Science

Minimum requirements

Professor

• A PhD degree in Political Science or cognate discipline
• 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 Department / School/ College/ University, which includes mentorship and coaching

Associate Professor

• A PhD degree in Political Science or cognate discipline.
• 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

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

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

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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.

• 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.