Lecturer at the Department of Statistics - Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

UP Posting - Academic

FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS

LECTURER

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the above vacancy.

The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

BACKGROUND:

Statistics is a fundamental scientific discipline and is offered as such by the Department of Statistics at the University of Pretoria. Programmes in Statistics and Mathematical Statistics are presented in the Faculties of Natural and Agricultural Science as well as Economic and Management Science. Courses in Statistics are also presented as components of various other programmes in many faculties.

The professional nature of statistics is intertwined with the Department of Statistics' academic orientated goal and highlighted through research- and research-related consulting activities. A research consultation is offered to the industry and to the broader university. Through these activities, the core components of the discipline are strengthened, positioning the Department at the forefront of research, teaching, and professional practice. The Department of Statistics is a research-intensive department with expertise in a variety yet focused number of fields; including statistical theory and methodology, time series analysis, statistical data science, biostatistics, and more.

Statistical training programmes should include the latest knowledge, modern Statistical thinking and skills, in partnership with industry, combined with core fundamental principles and scientific foundations. The technology significantly transformed the availability of information and data, and how advanced analytics allows for an in-depth understanding of patterns in data, making automation of many manual processes possible. Enhancement of the current teaching programme that incorporate data science components is expected from the incumbent. The department offers core modules, and it is expected from the incumbent to teach advanced level modules offered by the department.

The incumbent will have an academic mandate including teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and supervising postgraduate students. The research mandate also requires an active research programme, producing accredited academic research outputs, conference presentations. It will also be expected from the incumbent to build a strong internationally acclaimed research programme.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will be responsible for:

• Teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses;
• Mentoring and supervising postgraduate students;
• Actively conducting independent and collaborative research and publishing research outputs in accredited journals;
• Developing and/or expanding collaboration with academics internationally;
• Delivering specialist courses at national and international levels;
• Participating in administrative duties within the Department.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A Master's degree in Mathematical Statistics/Statistics that include a credit-bearing research dissertation and credit-bearing course work consisting of core components that aligns with the required responsibilities of the incumbent;
• An indication of an emerging research career with evidence of publications in core components and contributing to the literature and scientific field of statistics/mathematical statistic, published in accredited academic journals;
• Evidence of papers presented at national conferences;
• Proven competency and prior experience of at least three years are required in:
  • Teaching of statistics/mathematical statistics at the undergraduate and (or) postgraduate levels as a lecturer;
  • Demonstrable advanced knowledge of at least one major statistical software programming language;
  • Indication of the implementation of efficient teaching models that would be applicable in the university setting.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• Business acumen:
  • The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations;
• Results orientated:
  • The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals and to work to achieve success;
  • The ability to stick with tasks and overcome obstacles in completing tasks;
  • Be reliable, responsible and dependable in fulfilling of obligations;
  • The ability to deal calmly and effectively with conflict situations;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to function with ease in the UP's environment;
• Leadership:
  • The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together;
  • The ability to manage diverse teams and ensure a sustainable outcome.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

Additional to the minimum requirements, the following will be an advantage:

• Enrolled for a PhD degree in Mathematical Statistics /Statistics with proof of significant progress with the study;
• At least one recent (past three years) publication in Mathematical Statistics/Statistics in an accredited peer viewed journal;
• Evidence of the relevance, impact and contribution of current research projects to the discipline of Mathematical Statistics/Statistics;
• Evidence of papers presented at international conferences.

PLEASE NOTE:

All applicants invited for an interview might be expected to present a lecture on a specific topic.

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent's level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.

Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za, and follow the link: Careers@UP.

In applying for these posts, please attach:

• A comprehensive UP format CV;
• Certified copies of qualifications;
• Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact;
• Names and contact details of three peer reviewers (academic and research);
• Teaching Portfolio;
• Self-evaluation.

CLOSING DATE: 3 November 2021

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

ENQUIRIES:

Mrs E Kühn, elsabe.kuhn@up.ac.za for application-related enquiries, and Prof A Bekker, andriette.bekker@up.ac.za for enquiries relating to the post content.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 28 February 2022, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups.

All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply. All candidates agree to undergo verification of personal credentials.

The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised positions.