Associate Professor & HoD Psychology at The UP – Apply Now!

📍 Job Details

📌 Institution: University of Pretoria
🏛 Faculty: Humanities
🏫 Department: Psychology
🕒 Employment Type: Full-Time
📄 Contract Type: Term Appointment (4 years)
🆔 Job ID: 26211
📍 Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
📅 Closing Date: 31 January 2026

About the University of Pretoria

The University of Pretoria (UP) is one of South Africa’s leading research-intensive universities, renowned for excellence, innovation, and societal impact. With nine faculties and a business school, UP offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The university fosters a diverse and dynamic environment for staff and students, promoting critical thinking, research excellence, and professional development.

Department Overview

The Department of Psychology provides a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including:

• Honours degrees in psychology

• Professional Master’s degrees that allow registration with the HPCSA as a Clinical, Counselling, or Research Psychologist

• Research Master’s and PhD programmes

The department emphasizes theoretical knowledge, experiential learning, and professional development, equipping students with the skills and expertise to thrive in professional psychology roles. Research is central, with four key areas:

• Health and Well-being Across the Lifespan

• Communities and Society

• Theories and Measures in Psychology

• Teaching and Learning in Psychology

Staff engage in transdisciplinary research, ensuring students gain exposure to practical and relevant insights.

Position Overview

The University seeks an Associate Professor/Professor and Head of Department. This role combines academic leadership with strategic and operational management of the department. The HoD will provide guidance in curriculum development, research leadership, staff mentorship, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring academic excellence and department relevance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, academic, and operational leadership of the department

• Develop and implement the department’s strategic plan aligned with faculty and institutional goals

• Lead curriculum review, design, and accreditation, including alignment with HPCSA standards

• Promote pedagogical innovation and integration of current psychological theories

• Oversee quality assurance in teaching, learning, and assessment

• Support staff development, workload allocation, and conflict resolution

• Enhance research productivity, visibility, and impact

• Lead fundraising initiatives for departmental activities

• Represent the department nationally and internationally in psychology and academic forums

• Supervise postgraduate students and ensure academic standards in research and professional training

Minimum Requirements

• Doctorate (PhD) in Psychology

• Proven research and publication record

• Track record in postgraduate supervision

• HPCSA registration in relevant category (Clinical, Counselling, Research)

• Managerial experience in a tertiary academic institution

• Ability to develop a strategic vision and lead academic teams effectively

Required Competencies

• Excellence in tertiary-level teaching

• Experience liaising with internal and external stakeholders and professional boards

• International recognition in research and funded projects

• Leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills

• Strategic thinking, innovation, and ability to drive academic transformation

Advantages

• Strong research record in one of the department’s specialisation fields

• NRF rating

Remuneration and Benefits

• Competitive annual package aligned with UP policy guidelines

• Medical aid options: BESTMED or UMVUZO (UP contributes 50% of premium)

• HoD term appointment: 4 years

• External candidates may be considered for a permanent academic appointment

• Contact details for three referees (1 national, 2 international)

Senior Academic CV Tips

• Emphasize departmental leadership and management experience

• Highlight research impact, publications, and citations

• Show curriculum development and accreditation experience

• Demonstrate postgraduate supervision outcomes

• Articulate a clear strategic vision for the department

Employment Equity & Policy

• UP is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion

• Preference may be given to candidates from under-represented designated groups

• All appointments are subject to verification of qualifications, criminal record, credit record, and disciplinary history

• UP reserves the right not to fill the advertised position

Shortlisted candidates will be requested to prepare a presentation. Details will be provided during the selection process.