The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences provides a dynamic and interactive learning environment to its students focusing in particular on preparing our graduates for an ever-growing knowledge-based society and economy. Its research, teaching and learning, and community interaction focuses on the challenges of being human in a rapidly globalising world. It is our goal to not only become the base for training in the humanities in particular the Arts, Languages and Social Sciences, but to provide teaching and research that is relevant to the region, country and continent, and is internationally competitive.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Department of Information Science

Lecturer: Information Science

(Ref. LSW10/317/1021)

The Department of Information Science is seeking to fill a position to increase its teaching and research capacity in informatics, information systems, and knowledge dynamics. The Department’s research and teaching focus is on the interface between information technology and various social systems, including the development, adoption, and effects of digital technologies in personal, organisational, and societal contexts. We aim to equip students to meet the diverse challenges brought on by the advancement of information technology and digitalisation. The rapid change in these technologies and the various ways they mediate interaction practices call for an interdisciplinary approach, and applicants should be open to new research and teaching challenges. Prospective applicants are requested to consult both http://suinformatics.com and http://ikm.suinformatics.com for full details about the current activities of the Department.

Duties:

Teaching, student supervision, research, and community interaction in the areas of the Department’s foci (refer to the URLs above for details). These foci fit inside: informatics, information systems, technology and organisation, and knowledge dynamics in organisations and society. The specific areas are likely to vary from year to year.

• Teaching includes the curriculum development, preparation of new teaching material, presentation of existing or new teaching material, evaluation of students, and management of tutors;
• Research involves establishing a research agenda, choosing appropriate methods, collaborating with other researchers, obtaining any needed funding, execution of the research, and successful publication of the results;
• Student supervision includes giving guidance in all phases of student research projects;
• Community interaction includes any efforts required to disseminate research and other knowledge into the broader South African community – for example, via schools, the government, companies, etc.;
• Administrative and management duties as required by the Department.

Requirements:

• A completed relevant Master’s degree (NQF level 9);
• Proven research experience in at least some of:
  • Knowledge dynamics;
  • Organisation studies;
  • Informatics / Information Systems.
• Experience in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses relevant to the Department;
• Experience in postgraduate supervision;
• Relevant accredited research publications.

Recommendations:

• A completed relevant doctoral degree (PhD NQF level 10);
• A record of excellence in teaching;
• Original research experience;
• Experience as a reviewer/referee/editorial-board member for accredited conferences and journals;
• Experience acquiring research funding;
• Experience in community interaction in South Africa or similar contexts;
• Active participation in internationally recognised academic societies.

Commencement of duties: 1 January 2022

Closing date: 30 November 2021

Enquiries regarding this post: Prof Bruce Watson on 021 808 2027, or at bwwatson@sun.ac.za

Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753, or at
sun-e-hr@sun.ac.za