Associate Professor (Sociology)

SUMMARY:
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS - Teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. - Facilitate Africanisa

POSITION INFO:
CORE PURPOSE OF JOB The Department of Sociology and Anthropology in the Faculty of Humanities at Nelson Mandela University seeks to appoint a suitable candidate at the Associate Professor level in Sociology to contribute to the Department's undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, supervision, research, and community engagement activities. We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing departmental strengths. The Department is particularly interested in applicants who possess expertise in Contemporary Sociological Theory with a particular focus on African Philosophy and Epistemology. Historical and contemporary South African rural sociological patterns and trends are a particular area of interest for the department and candidates must demonstrate a teaching\/ research track record or strong scholarly applicability to this area. The successful candidate should be able to show how their work contributes to decolonisation and Africanisation of research, curriculum, and theory, and the social consequences of these in the context and dynamics of urban-rural Sociology. We seek a scholar who shows the ability chart new conceptual and theoretical paths in Sociology in handling these areas of interest. The candidate must have a sound academic rooting in core Sociological theories and research methods and show that they can contribute to innovative sociological research that expands or rethinks the conceptual boundaries of the discipline. The preferred candidate will have a proven track record in carrying out learning and teaching demands in a high-pressure public higher education institution with the ability to handle large classes and enable the learning success of a diverse student body. Candidates must demonstrate evidence of established local and international reputation, research, and scholarship, and will be expected to sustain and lead innovative and independent research. The candidate will be able to contribute towards the faculty strategy of Revitalisation of the Humanities as part of the intellectual repositioning of a dynamic and growing Department. KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS • Teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. • Facilitate Africanisation and creative transformation of curriculum content at undergraduate and postgraduate level. • Supervise Honours, Masters, and PhD candidates with capability to develop students in areas of African Philosophy and Epistemology as they pertain to Sociology • Conduct research, attend academic conferences, and publish to improve the research profile of the department. • Maintain local and international research profile. • Active membership in and service to departmental and faculty standing committees. • Undertake administrative duties within the Sociology programmes and the department at large. • Facilitation of workshops, seminars, public lectures, and conferences. CORE COMPETENCIES • Advanced knowledge of foundational areas in Sociological theory. • Commitment to developing an Africa-centred Sociology curriculum. • Ability to incorporate interdisciplinary approaches into Sociology teaching and research. • Ability to teach, manage, and conduct assessments for large undergraduate classes. • Advanced experience in supervising postgraduate studies with a particular emphasis on African Philosophy and Epistemology. • Ability to work independently as well as co-operatively within an academic team setting with members that have diverse perspectives and differing academic approaches. • Professional self-management and the ability to operate collegially and competently within the complexities and challenges of the South African higher education environment. • Advanced administrative competencies. • Show advanced research and potential fundraising abilities. REQUIREMENTS • PhD in Sociology with a proven track record in Sociology teaching and research. • Demonstrable track record in using both quantitative and qualitative methods will be an advantage. • Minimum 3 -7 years of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching experience • Proven record of successful supervision to completion at the post-graduate level • Proven research publication record in accredited scholarly journals commensurate with the Associate Professor level. • Candidates will be required to furnish three references. DISCLAIMER: Nelson Mandela University is a designated employer committed to pursuing excellence, diversity, inclusion, and redress in achieving its employment equity targets. Preference will be given to suitably qualified (Race and Gender) candidates in accordance with the University's employment equity targets. No applications will be accepted after the closing date Friday, 11 September 2026.