Job To Send
Director of Institute
Wits Mining Institute
University of the Witwatersrand
DESCRIPTION: The Wits Mining Institute is a fully self-funded entity that works very closely with industry. The Institute is home to Post-Graduate research students from all five Faculties of the University and therefore provides fertile ground for multi-and-trans-disciplinary work.
The University seeks to appoint a visionary leader of the Wits Mining Institute on a five-year fixed-term contract. A possible renewal for a second five-year term will be dependent on performance and availability of funding. A suitably qualified person will fill the vacant position of Director of the Wits Mining Institute at a Senior Lecturer or Adjunct Professor level.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: A PhD in an area of research aligned to the objectives of the Institute and extensive experience in fund-raising are a requirement. Other advantages that would be considered include – Registration as a Professional Engineer or Professional Natural Scientist; a good track record demonstrating financial acumen; a good publication track record; supervision and/or examination of postgraduate MSc and PhD students; experience in developing and maintaining strong links with partners, nationally/internationally/within the university systems and industry; appropriate stature with the university community and the wider community in the field.
DUTIES: Leading and directing the Institute research activities. Provide oversight and support to the various Research Centres within the Institute. Liaising with Schools and Faculties within the University, external funders, donors, enterprises, and institutions including setting up and managing contractual arrangements. Taking responsibility for the funding and sustainability of the Institute as a wholly externally funded entity. Managing the finances of the Institute and ensuring that funds received from any sources are used for the purpose which they were provided for. Compiling reports on the activities of the Institute for various stakeholders, including partners and University Committees. Ensuring adherence to acceptable accounting practices and submit any or all of the financial activities of the Institute to audit whenever appropriate. Drawing together researchers from multiple disciplines and contributing to leading-edge research. Identifying and addressing real challenges facing the mining industry. Playing an advocacy role for the Institute inside the University, as well as externally.
Enquiries: Professor Thokozani Majozi; Executive Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment:
E-mail: Thokozani.Majozi@wits.ac.za or telephone: +27 11 717 7012
To Apply: Please submit a covering letter of motivation, a detailed CV with names and current e-mail addresses and contact numbers of (3) three referees, certified copies of qualifications, academic transcripts and South African ID and/or (copy of Passport if not a South African Citizen). Please state your research metrics in your covering letter. External applicants are invited to apply by registering on the Wits i-Recruitment platform located at https://irec.wits.ac.za Internal employees may apply directly on Oracle Self-Service on the Wits Intranet by selecting ‘’Apply for a job’’. Please note that given the thrust of the University’s strategic plan on transformation, preference may be given to appointable applicants from the under-represented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University.
The University reserves the right to verify all information provided by candidates and to verify credit rating. Please note that correspondence will only be entered into with the shortlisted candidates.