Associate Professor/Full Professor in African Literature – Wits University

SCHOOL OF LITERATURE, LANGUAGE AND MEDIA


Associate Professor/Full Professor in African Literature

The Department of African Literature seeks to appoint an Associate Professor/Full Professor to take forward and expand its distinguished record. The Department was established in 1983 under the headship of Es’kia Mphahlele. Its programmes investigate a wide range of African
literary and cultural forms while engaging with the black diaspora and the rest of the world. While its focus is largely literary, the Department’s scope includes orature, performance, media and other expressive modes within its ambit of teaching and research. The unit comprises internationally acknowledged academics with a strong record of local, continental and international publications and networks.

The successful applicant will be a distinguished scholar with a dynamic record of teaching and curriculum innovation at postgraduate and undergraduate levels as well as effective and sustained postgraduate supervision. We seek a scholar who can bring strong international and continental networks, committed to maintaining and extending Africa-wide postgraduate recruitment. The successful applicant will have experience of raising large research grants and leading research teams. Experience in senior academic leadership will be important.

While we are interested in considering scholars whose research complements existing departmental strengths in twentieth- and twenty-first century Anglophone African literatures, expertise outside of these periods and traditions would be an asset. Expertise in Afrophone and/or other Europhone African literatures would be an advantage.

Requirements:

  • A PhD in a relevant discipline Distinguished record of publication
  • Record of curriculum innovation at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
  • Commitment to hands-on teaching at all levels.
  • Record of sustained and successful postgraduate supervision
  • Evidence of strong international and continental networks
  • Experience in raising grants and managing research projects
  • Substantial experience of academic leadership and management

Enquiries Only: Professor Isabel Hofmeyr (e-mail: Isabel.Hofmeyr@wits.ac.za ).

To apply: Submit a letter of motivation, a detailed CV and the names and contact details of three referees (incl. e-mail addresses). Indicate clearly whether you are applying at Associate Professor or Professor level. Your letter of motivation should address how you would approach teaching;
postgraduate supervision; postgraduate expansion; research and publication (your own and that of others); academic leadership and management. It should also provide a brief description of the conceptual questions/concerns that animate your research.

Internal employees are invited to apply directly on Oracle by following the path: iWits Self Service application Apply for a job

External applicants are invited to apply by registering a profile on the Wits ‘irecruitment’
platform located at https://irec.wits.ac.za and submitting the application.

The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from underrepresented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University.

Closing Date: 15 October 2021.