Key Responsibilities
The Head of Department will provide the academic vision, strategic direction, and leadership required to ensure that the Department maintains and strengthens its position of excellence within the University and the broader higher education sector.
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Providing strategic academic leadership across all teaching, research, and postgraduate training activities.
- Ensuring curricula remain current, relevant, and responsive to the evolving needs of the Health Sciences and Science disciplines.
- Promoting research excellence that is both locally relevant and internationally competitive.
- Strengthening postgraduate education and supervision while fostering research collaboration and innovation.
- Leading student affairs and promoting an inclusive, supportive learning environment.
- Managing the Department's human resources, financial resources, infrastructure, Body Donor Programme and administrative functions.
- Promoting academic excellence across the Department's constituent disciplines while maintaining its diversity and collegial culture.
- Ensuring the Department fulfils its outreach and engagement responsibilities within the University and the broader community.
Minimum Requirements and Experience
Applicants must possess:
- A Doctorate degree (PhD) in an appropriate discipline
-
Appointment at the level of Associate Professor or Professor, or eligibility to be awarded one of these academic titles in accordance with the Faculty of Health Sciences criteria. For promotion criteria click here Promotion Criteria.
- A distinguished record of research achievement, postgraduate supervision, and scholarly leadership.
- At least 10 years' experience in higher education, within the discipline of Anatomical Sciences, including significant experience in university administration and academic leadership.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, financial management, human resource management, and governance within a university environment.
- Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication, and managerial skills, with the academic and professional standing necessary to command the respect of colleagues and stakeholders.
Term of Appointment
The successful candidate will be appointed as Head of Department for a fixed term of five (5) years, renewable based on performance.
Should the successful applicant be appointed from outside the University, they will be appointed to a continuous academic position at an appropriate academic level within the relevant discipline upon completion of their term of office.
The awarding of the title Professor or Associate Professor will be determined by the successful candidate's qualifications, research profile, and other academic criteria in accordance with the Faculty of Health Sciences guidelines.
Employment Equity
The University of the Witwatersrand is committed to employment equity and diversity. In accordance with the University's Employment Equity Plan and Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference may be given but is not limited to South Africans and candidates from under-represented designated groups.
All candidates who meet the requirements for appointment are encouraged to apply.
Enquiry: Prof Kennedy Erlwanger [email protected]
Closing date: 21 August 2026
