Job Details
- Expires 19 June 0 days left to apply
- Reference number: NW03/106/0524
- Province: Western Cape
- Type of engagement: Permanent appointment
- Posted: May 31st
Background to Position
Stellenbosch University
Faculty of Science
Department of Physics
Astrophysics Research Group
Senior Lecturer / Lecturer: Department of Physics
Ref. NW03/106/0524
The Department of Physics is responsible for both teaching and research in physics at Stellenbosch University (SU) and offers an undergraduate physics degree as well as postgraduate degrees. It also has strong links with other faculties and schools and offers many service modules. The Department has established research programmes in photonics and laser physics, nuclear physics, theoretical physics and astrophysics. Details of the research programmes are available at https://www.sun.ac.za/physics
The Department is seeking an energetic expert in astrophysics who can conduct research and teach in all areas of physics.
The research focuses on connecting fundamental physics with astronomical observations and aims at understanding the fundamental laws of the Universe and unravelling the nature of dark matter and dark energy. In particular, epoch of reionisation, extragalactic astronomy, the early Universe, dark matter indirect detection, neutron stars and black holes are actively investigated. The research group is also heavily involved in South Africa’s MeerKAT, SKA, HERA telescopes, and several international projects such as LSST (Vera C. Rubin Observatory), FAST and CMB Stage-4.
Job Description
Duties:
- Teaching and coordinating undergraduate and postgraduate modules;
- Actively conducting research and publishing in peer-reviewed journals in a field aligned to one of the Department’s research focus areas in astrophysics;
- Recruiting and supervising postgraduate students in astrophysics;
- Establishing a research group in a field aligned to one of the research focus areas in the Department, with strong involvement in either HERA telescope (Hydrogen Epoch Reionisation Array) or MeerKAT (SKA Precursor) telescope;
- Securing research funding;
- Participating in academically relevant departmental and Faculty activities, as required.
Inherent Criteria
Requirements:
- A PhD in physics, astronomy, or applied mathematics (with research focus on astrophysics or cosmology);
- Good verbal and written communication skills in English.
For appointment as lecturer:
- Teaching experience in physics (as lecturer, or teaching assistant/tutor at tertiary level);
- An active research interest in astrophysics and kosmology, with particular emphasis on the epoch of reionisation, and Pulsar Timing Array.
For appointment as senior lecturer:
- Proven ability and commitment to teaching physics at both undergraduate and postgraduate level;
- Evidence of recent research in astrophysics and cosmology, with particular emphasis on the epoch of reionisation, and Pulsar Timing Array;
- Evidence of a sustained publication output as first author in high quality international journals;
- Proof of successful postgraduate supervision as main supervisor, at least at master’s level;
- Proven ability to seek external funding.
Applicants invited for interviews will be expected to present a lecture on their recent research to demonstrate their knowledge and communication skills.
Recommendations:
- Postdoctoral research experience in academia, or relevant research experience in industry.
Application Requirement
Commencement of duties:
01 September 2024
Closing date:
19 June 2024
Enquiries regarding this post: Prof Shaun Wyngaardt on 021 808 3379, or atshaunmw@sun.ac.za; and Prof Yin-Zhe Ma at mayinzhe@sun.ac.za
Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits, as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753, or at sun-e-hr@sun.ac.za
Stellenbosch University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the EE plan for the specific environment as well as the institutional EE Plan of the University.
Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and email addresses of at least three referees), must reach the University before or on the closing date of the advertised post. Kindly note that we require a teaching statement and research statement in the CV.
The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.
Should no feedback be received from the University within four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application did not succeed.
