ADJUNCT PROFESSOR.2.01

Organization: School of Geosciences

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

SCHOOL OF GEOSCIENCES

Adjunct Professor in Economic Geology and Ore Systems Science

The School of Geosciences at Wits University is seeking a dynamic candidate to join our team as an Adjunct Professor with industry experience in economic geology and ore systems science. The successful candidate will bring multi-commodity expertise across the exploration and mining value chain, and will play a central role in the academic leadership of the MSc Economic Geology (by Coursework and Research Report) and the associated short course programme. Adjunct Professors are individuals recognised as exhibiting a set of scarce or extraordinary skills as a result of their professional, commercial, or industrial standing, experience, and affiliations. This is a unique opportunity for a senior industry professional to shape the next generation of economic geoscientists while advancing research and training at the interface of academia and industry. This is a permanent, fully remunerated position, ideally occupied in a full-time capacity, but other modalities can be discussed, with a start date in late 2026 or 1 January 2027.

The School of Geosciences is an acknowledged leader in Earth sciences research and training with a specific focus on, but not limited to, the geoscience and natural resources of Africa. The vibrant and diverse academic staff incorporates specialists in geology, economic geology, exploration and mining geoscience, geochemistry, geochronology, geophysics, palaeontology, hydrogeology and environmental science, supported by state-of-the-art research and training facilities (https://www.wits.ac.za/geosciences/). The School of Geosciences hosts the African Research Centre for Ore Systems Science (CORES), as well as the Wits Seismic Research Centre and the Bushveld Geology and Metallogeny Research Chair (BUGEMET). In addition, the School co-hosts the national DSTI/NRF Centre of Excellence in Integrated Mineral and Energy Resource Analysis (CIMERA) and the international AfricaArray Geophysics Programme, together with several industry-academic partnerships and research programmes.

The MSc in Economic Geology (Coursework and Research Report) is a flagship programme within the School, designed for geoscientists seeking to deepen their expertise in ore systems science and mineral exploration. The programme combines three compulsory modules with three elective modules (drawn from a suite of approximately 20 options), together with a research report. Students benefit from a blend of lectures, laboratory practicals, field excursions, and seminars, with a focus on applied, industry-relevant training. The successful candidate will provide academic leadership for this programme, including curriculum development, teaching, coordination of visiting lecturers, and supervision of research reports.

The Wits School of Geosciences hosts world-class geochemical and geophysical analytical capabilities in a central facility known as the Earth Observatory. This includes a TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyser (TIMA), quadrupole ICP-MS, a LA-SF-ICP-MS setup dedicated to U?Pb age dating and trace element analysis, as well as Africa?s only multidisciplinary isotope facility that includes an ultraclean, metal-free laboratory as well as a collision cell MC-SF-ICP-MS and a TIMS for analysis of a wide range of isotopes. The School also hosts a virtual SIMS link with the Helmholtz GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) and has dedicated hydrogeology and geometallurgy laboratories. Our wide-ranging cutting-edge geophysical instrumentation includes gravity, magnetic, electrical resistivity, ground penetrating radar, electromagnetics, and active and passive reflection and refraction seismic equipment, supported by a comprehensive physical properties lab and computational facilities.

Requirements, Key Performance Areas & Competencies

Applicants must provide evidence of the following requirements:

§  A minimum of an MSc degree in Geology, Economic Geology, Geosciences, or a closely related field; a PhD in Geosciences would be advantageous but not required.

§  A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the mining and/or mineral exploration industry, with demonstrable multi-commodity expertise (e.g., precious metals, base metals, platinum group elements, battery metals, iron ore, or other commodities).

§  A strong track record of responsibility in geological roles, including experience at a senior or leadership level.

§  Experience working across multiple geological terranes, deposit types, and stages of the mining/exploration value chain (e.g., greenfields exploration, brownfields exploration, resource definition, mining geology, and/or geometallurgy).

§  Candidates will not be expected to have extensive evidence of research output (peer-reviewed publications, conference abstracts, etc.) or an extensive postgraduate training record, although such a record will be advantageous; a clear commitment to developing these portfolios is expected.

§  Demonstrated experience in mentoring or training within industry or academic settings will be advantageous.

Competencies for this position include:

§  Deep understanding of ore-forming processes, mineral systems, and their application to exploration targeting and resource evaluation.

§  Ability to integrate field-based observations with modern analytical techniques (e.g., geochemistry, geochronology, mineralogy, geophysics) to characterise ore systems.

§  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences in both academic and industry settings.

§  Strong organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage complex programmes and stakeholder relationships.

§  A collaborative approach to research and teaching, with a commitment to transformation and the development of a diverse student body.

Key performance areas and responsibilities will include:

      §  Provide academic leadership for the MSc Economic Geology (Coursework and Research Report) and associated short course programme, including teaching and coordinating modules within the MSc Economic Geology programme.

§  Supervise MSc research reports, dissertations and, where appropriate, PhD candidates.

§  Coordinate and manage visiting industry lecturers, field excursions, and practical training components.

§  Foster innovative pedagogical approaches that integrate current industry practice with academic rigour.

§  Develop and grow an active, externally funded research programme in economic geology, ore systems science, or a related field.

§  Develop or grow a research portfolio, including publishing in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals and presenting at national and international conferences. Collaborate with existing research groups within the School and across the University.

§  Leverage analytical capabilities of the Earth Observatory and other School facilities in research activities.

§  Serve as a key interface between the School and the mining and exploration industry, fostering partnerships, collaborative research, and sponsorship opportunities, while promoting the School?s postgraduate programmes within the broader geological community and industry.

Enquiries: For further information contact the Head of School, Professor Grant Bybee (Tel: +27 11 717 6633; email: [email protected]). Follow the School of Geosciences at these links.