Senior Lecturer P000844

Introduction

NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS) FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES UNIT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT
POSITION NUMBER: P
POSITION: SENIOR LECTURER
PEROMNES GRADE: A7
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT

Overview

The purpose of the position is to coordinate, manage and support Sequencing and Next Generation Sequencing activities in the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management. Instructions are given by the Director of the UESM.

Responsibilities

• Research and Innovation: develop an independent research program within the area of expertise and interest; raise funds for own research program; collaborate with internal and external collaborators; develop software, coding pipelines, and applications for scientific or technical use; create novel computational approaches and analytical tools; keep abreast of new chemistries, instrumentation, or software; improve user interfaces to bioinformatics software and databases; collaborate with software developers in the development and modification of commercial bioinformatics software; design and apply bioinformatics algorithms, including unsupervised and supervised machine learning, dynamic programming, or graph algorithms; manipulate genomic, proteomic, or post-genomic databases; test new and updated bioinformatics tools and software; communicate research results through conferences, publications, or project reports; analyze high-throughput screening data and perform structure-activity analyses to generate predictive correlations; configure the NWU HPC server to be fully operational within the UESM.
• Teaching, Learning and Training: curriculum development and teaching at the postgraduate level; coordinate bioinformatics modules in the School for Biological Sciences B.Sc. Hons program; supervise B.Sc. Honours students; provide hands-on training for postgraduate students to generate sequencing and NGS data; train UESM researchers and other students in analysis of sequencing data using computational tools; teach postgraduate students to develop software libraries and coding practices to improve computational capabilities and workflows; supervision of PhD and MSc candidates will be phased in.
• Administration and Management: prepare and manage budgets and service level agreements for sequencing and bioinformatics support; prepare and present reports to the UESM Director and Dean; apply for and manage external funding for infrastructure development; maintain software, hardware, and the network in a bioinformatics setting; supervise updates and enhancements in bioinformatics hardware and software; direct the work of technicians and IT staff applying bioinformatics tools for services and collaborations.
• Academic leadership, management, and administration: ensure compliance with safety standards; responsible for data management, regulatory compliance, and risk assessment in research activities; ensure compliance with University Ethics Policies and POPI Act.
• Social responsiveness and Community Engagement: assist with or present training material and workshops for neighbouring universities; prepare materials and present workshops for high school students and community members.
• Ad hoc: perform ad hoc assignments as directed by the Director of the UESM.

Minimum Requirements

• A PhD (NQF level 10) in Bioinformatics, Biochemistry or Microbiology.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience using PC, Mac, and/or UNIX operating systems, R, Python, and other relevant languages.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience using various sequencing platforms for short-read as well as long-read platforms.
• Supervision of postgraduate students.
• Published articles in DHET-accredited journals with Scopus references.
• Relevant work experience in herpetology and conservation ecology.
• Oral presentations at national and international conferences.
• Proof of successful funding applications – independently or in a team.

Recommendations / Added Advantages

• Additional diplomas in programming, in advanced bioinformatics, biostatistics.
• Registration with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).
• Design, implementation and management of high-performance computing and information and data systems.

Key Functional/ Technical Competencies

• Able to train students and staff to prepare sequencing reactions independently using standardized workflows.
• Able to evaluate sequencing data and perform quality control independently.
• Able to train staff and students to troubleshoot independently.
• Able to train staff to prepare the Sanger Sequencing and NGS equipment for long-term storage/Standby.
• Develop and maintain an archive of sequencing records available to clients when required, using appropriate data management tools.
• Prepare and transfer sequencing data to high-performance computing facilities.
• Clean sequences and perform basic bioinformatics analysis using open-source software and programming languages such as R or Python.

Behavioural Competencies

• Ability to manage bioinformatics and sequencing staff in the UESM and related schools and research teams.
• Demonstration of language proficiency to function in NWU’s multilingual environment.
• Proactively assist staff, students, and stakeholders; work effectively in a team.

Remuneration

The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with NWU policy guidelines.

Enquiries

Content inquiries: Prof CC Bezuidenhout, Tel:

Recruitment inquiries: Mr Zenyo Seboko, Tel:

Closing date

13 October 2025

Planned commencement of duties

As soon as possible

Note: Applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website. Incomplete applications or submissions through other platforms will not be considered.

The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups in accordance with the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

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