Associate Professor​/Professor and Head of Department; Psychology

Job title

Associate Professor / Professor and Head of Department (Psychology)

Gauteng, Pretoria

The University seeks to appoint an Associate Professor / Professor and Head of Department. The appointment will be additional to the successful candidate’s academic appointment.

• Strategic, academic and operational management of the Department;
• Providing intellectual and strategic leadership to ensure the department’s academic excellence and relevance;
• Developing and implementing the department’s strategic plan and ensuring it is aligned with faculty and institutional visions;
• Fostering a cohesive academic identity grounded in psychological science and professional practice;
• Leading curriculum design, review and accrediting processes (e.g., alignment with HPCSA or equivalent standards);
• Promoting innovation in pedagogy and ensuring integration of current psychological theories, transformation and research;
• Overseeing the quality assurance of teaching and learning, including moderation and student assessment policies;
• Promoting and overseeing good academic education as well as professional training and continuous development of all stakeholders in the department;
• Playing an active role as an academic leader in the discipline at a national and international level;
• Enhancing the research productivity, visibility and impact of the department;
• Promoting the department’s research profile;
• Fundraising for departmental activities.

• A doctorate in Psychology;
• A proven research and publication record;
• A proven postgraduate supervision track record;
• Registration with the HPCSA in any of the relevant psychology categories (Clinical / Counselling / Research);
• Demonstrated ability to manage workload allocations, staff development and conflict resolution;
• An appropriate vision for the Department;
• Managerial experience at a tertiary institution.

• Evidence of teaching excellence in psychology at a tertiary level;
• Experience in high-level liaison with internal and external stakeholders and professional boards;
• International recognition of research work;
• Active engagement in funded research or grant applications;
• Strong leadership and interpersonal communication skills.

• A strong research record in one of the Department's research specialisation fields;
• NRF rating.

• The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent's level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines; UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.
• The Head of Department is a term appointment for four (4) years. External candidates will also be considered for a permanent academic appointment in a suitable academic department.

31 January 2026