nGAP Lecturer, Video Technology

This is a fixed-term academic lectureship position within the Faculty of Arts and Design at the Durban University of Technology, based in the Video Technology unit. The role forms part of the Department of Higher Education and Training’s New Generation of Academics Programme, which is the seventh phase of the broader Staffing South Africa’s Universities Framework. The initiative is designed to build a new generation of academics by enabling successful candidates to pursue a doctoral qualification while gaining meaningful teaching experience at the university. Appointees receive a comprehensive support package that includes a salary, mentorship, equipment and coverage of tuition fees, and they are expected to fully participate in the six-year programme.

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Television, Film or Media Studies, with a minimum aggregate score of 70 percent for the degree, and must be ready to register for doctoral studies within the minimum permitted time. They must be South African citizens aged 40 years or younger and must come from designated and underrepresented groups, in line with the university’s equity policy. Additional requirements include the ability to teach the theories, history and business of film and television, and at least three years of experience in professional television or film production would be a distinct advantage.

The core duties involve working consistently towards completing a doctoral degree, preparing and delivering learning materials for undergraduate and postgraduate Video Technology students, undertaking assessments and administrative tasks related to teaching, learning and research, and facilitating learning through both traditional and online platforms. The successful candidate will also be expected to participate in community engagement projects and to work collegially with team members to achieve the goals of the department, faculty and institution.

There are several conditions attached to the appointment. The incumbent must commit to the full six-year programme, register for doctoral studies within three months of taking up the post or, if they already hold a doctorate, take on a higher teaching and research load. They must work closely with an assigned supervisor and mentor, adhere to the agreed study plan and milestones, and participate in the SSAUF Development Programme by completing at least one short course or module per year focused on research or teaching development. They must not accept any other state funding that duplicates the purpose of the nGAP funding, nor any funding that conflicts with their obligations, and they must inform the university of any other funding offers before accepting them. Should they leave the programme before completion, they will be obliged to reimburse the university for costs incurred, including tuition and registration fees, mentor costs, development programme costs, infrastructure and equipment, conference or international mobility costs, and ten percent of salary costs paid up to the point of departure. They must also participate in research, monitoring and evaluation activities, including an exit interview upon leaving or completing the programme. The appointment is a six-year contract linked to the programme, based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and the university reserves the right not to make an appointment.