This is a new position that provides unique opportunities for developing a continental research and postgraduate training strategy in the field of migration and displacement. Requiring strong leadership and an interest in contributing to the strategic vision of the centre, the successful candidate will be responsible for the management of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Centre of Excellence in Migration & Mobility at the ACMS.

The Senior Researcher will be responsible for the management of the CoE in Migration and Mobility, involving research and postgraduate coordination, teaching and supervision.

Key tasks will include coordinating and contributing to the development of our expansive postgraduate teaching programme which includes: (1) Hons/MA/PhD in Migration & Displacement; (2) the African Academy for Migration Research (AAMR); and (3) our role as a degree-conferring partner in the European Masters in Migration and Intercultural Relations (EMMIR). Postgraduate supervision and contribution to our teaching programme will be a key aspect of this.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in fundraising and the management international research grants/partnerships, including in the African context; extensive knowledge in the field of migration and displacement; and  will bring enthusiasm and creativity to the research portfolio of the Centre.

The ideal candidate will have:
• A PhD in a relevant field (e.g. Political Science; Migration/Forced Migration; International Relations; Sociology; Anthropology; Public Health; Demography and Population Studies, Development Studies, Diversity Studies, Law)
• A minimum of five years experience post-PhD in conducting social research in the field of migration and displacement, including within the African context
• A personal research trajectory that will contribute to the mission and vision of ACMS, including a strong interest in the field of migration and displacement
• Expertise in interdisciplinary research
• An established publication record in local and international peer-reviewed journals and/or books
• A growing, if not already established, national and international research profile
• Experience with initiating and sustaining regional and/or international research collaborations
• Demonstrated experience in grant writing and reporting
• Demonstrated experience in teaching and supervising at postgraduate level
• Demonstrated experience with teamwork, leadership and a desire to be part of a diverse team
• Willingness to travel continentally

The following will be an advantage:
• In addition to English, fluency in other languages spoken across the African continent, including French and Portuguese.
• An NRF Rating.
• Knowledge/previous experience of working with ARUA Member Universities.

Job tasks
• Management of the ARUA CoE in Migration and Mobility
• Work collaboratively to develop the strategic vision of the CoE and implement new research and postgraduate training projects aligned with the focus of the ARUA CoE and ACMS.
• Fundraising to support and sustain research and postgraduate activities.
• Coordinate and contribute to the development of our postgraduate teaching programme which includes Hons/MA/PhD in Migration & Displacement; the African Academy for Migration Research (AAMR) and our role in the European Masters in Migration and Intercultural Relations (EMMIR)Research Methods for Critical
• Supervise postgraduate students enrolled in Migration and Displacement (Hons, MA, PhD)
• Publish articles in peer-reviewed journal articles
• Participate in the academic life of the centre.

*This is a 3-year position. Dependent on performance and successful fundraising, the position may be extended.

To apply, submit a letter of motivation – clearly indicating which position you are applying for, detailed CV and the names and contact details of three referees (incl. e-mail addresses).

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 i-recruitment platform located at https://irec.wits.ac.za and submitting your application.

*The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the under-represented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University. Designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, as amended, means black people, women and people with disabilities.

WITS Employment Equity Policy: https://www.wits.ac.za/media/wits-university/footer/about-wits/transformation-office/documents/Policy%20-%20Employment%20Equity.pdf

Closing Date: 2nd April 2022

Please note that only applications via the website will be considered for shortlisting.
The University reserves the right to verify all information provided by candidates and to verify credit standing. Please note that correspondence will only be entered into with short-listed candidates.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise.

Info online: https://tinyurl.com/tf66swjk