Opportunities from University of Cape Town Opportunities

Full Job Description

LECTURER/SENIOR LECTURER

Department of Chemical Engineering, the Energy Systems Research Group (ESRG) and the African Climate Development Initiative (ACDI)

Faculty of Engineering and The Built Environment

The University of Cape Town (UCT), Africa’s leading research-intensive university, invites applications for the position of Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering and The Built Environment. Situated in Cape Town, UCT is a globally recognised institution committed to excellence in teaching, research, innovation and public engagement. The successful candidates will join a vibrant and diverse academic community and will contribute to the University’s Vision 2030.

The Department of Chemical Engineering, the Energy Systems Research Group (ESRG) and the African Climate Development Initiative (ACDI) are seeking to jointly appoint a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer with expertise in energy systems and climate mitigation. The post holder will be an academic member of staff in the Department of Chemical Engineering and a Research Associate in the ACDI and ESRG.

The successful candidate will be a member of a new cross-university interdisciplinary climate resilience and sustainability programme, the Africa Climate Collaborative, hosted by ACDI in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. They will provide teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the Department and at postgraduate levels into a new Masters programme and a Doctoral training academy convened by ACDI.

Requirements of the job at Lecturer level:

• A PhD degree in an area cognate to energy systems and climate change mitigation.

• A track record of research publications or evidence of potential to publish, commensurate with career stage.

• Experience in supervision or co-supervision of Honours and/or Masters students.

• Evidence of commitment to socially engaged research.

Additional requirements of the job at Senior Lecturer level:

• At least two years of post-PhD academic and/or practice experience.

• Teaching experience at university level.

• Experience in supervision of Masters and/or PhD students.

• A track record of research publications, commensurate with career stage.

• Evidence of contribution to institutional administration.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses on climate change mitigation and related areas.

• Convene and teach on one Masters course in climate change mitigation.

• Contribute at least one teaching block to the new Doctoral Training Programme in climate and development.

• Supervise postgraduate students.

• Contribute to the departmental and Africa Climate Collaborative administration.

• Participate in Africa Climate Collaborative activities.

• Pursue a personal research programme aligned with ESRG and ACDI foci, that is socially responsive and publish this research in high-quality journals.

• Foster collaboration between Engineering, ESRG, ACDI and other groups working on climate and sustainability issues at UCT, including contributing to joint research projects and research proposals.

The 2026 annual remuneration package, including benefits, at the respective level is as follows:

• Lecturer = R974 126

• Senior Lecturer = R1 207 358

To apply, please visit the UCT Jobs site (www.jobs.uct.ac.za) to create a candidate profile and to submit your application. Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

• A motivation letter which addresses the requirements of the role;

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV);

• Three referee names, which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address, and telephone number;

• Highest qualification and copy of ID/Passport.

Any enquiries for this position are to be addressed to Mr Ian Petersen at Ian.Petersen@uct.ac.za or 021 650 2163.

Closing date: 5 October 2026

Website: https://acdi.uct.ac.za/

Reference number: ID 1498

UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at https://uct.ac.za/oic/employment-equity

When you apply for a position at UCT, we collect your personal information to assess your application, communicate with you, and coordinate interview logistics. Information such as race, gender, nationality, and disability status is used to support our Employment Equity obligations. We also verify your references, qualifications, conduct criminal and, for certain roles, credit checks. For more information about how the University of Cape Town uses personal information and your rights, please email popia@uct.ac.za.

The University reserves the right to extend the closing date for applications if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.