Associate Professor in Hydrology and Water Resources

The Associate Professor (Hydrology and Water Resources) is responsible for advancing the Environmental Science discipline through original research, scholarship and academic leadership. The incumbent plays a critical role in shaping regional scholarship, fostering innovation and guiding collaborative research initiatives.

In addition, the successful candidate will contribute significantly to the University's governance, ensuring academic excellence and strategic development while serving as a leader and mentor within the university community.

Duties

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Teach postgraduate and undergraduate courses in the physical environment.
• Initiate, lead, and sustain robust externally funded research projects aligned with local, regional, and global water security challenges.
• Supervise postgraduate and undergraduate student research projects.
• Participate in academic, governance, and social engagement activities within the department and related fields.
• Apply a broad and innovative range of teaching strategies, including the use of ICT, appropriate to the discipline.
• Demonstrate coherence between educational philosophy and teaching practice.
• Review programmes and courses to ensure they remain aligned, relevant, and up to date with local, regional, international, and disciplinary developments.
• Lead original research projects addressing key questions within the discipline.
• Secure external funding to support research and enhance the University's reputation.
• Cultivate interdisciplinary collaborations that foster innovation and problem-solving.
• Drive grant proposal development to sustain research activity.
• Conduct and publish high-level transdisciplinary research in the field of expertise.
• Coordinate programmes and courses within the Faculty.
• Develop entrepreneurial and economic initiatives that benefit the community.
• Promote ethical research conduct and high academic standards.
• Contribute to and effectively manage resources, including funds, equipment, patents, and related assets, to advance the University's mission.
• Participate in thesis examination activities.
• Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and junior faculty members.
• Perform any other duties and responsibilities assigned by the Head of School or Departmental Chairperson.

Qualification Requirements

Applicants should have:

• A PhD or Doctoral degree in: A Master's degree in Hydrology or a related field.
  • Hydrology
  • Water Resources Engineering
  • Hydrogeology
  • Environmental Science (with a strict specialization/bias toward Hydrology and Water Resources Sciences)
  • Or a closely related discipline.
• A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with a 2.1 pass or equivalent.

Experience Requirements

Applicants should have:

• At least 6 years of relevant teaching experience at a university or comparable institution.

Professional Registration

Applicants should:

• Be registered, or be eligible for registration, with BQA and/or a recognised professional body in the relevant area of expertise.

Other Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A minimum of 12 research products (e.g., journal articles, book chapters, peer-reviewed conference proceedings, etc.) published by recognised publishers.
• At least 8 of these publications must be articles in refereed or accredited journals indexed in internationally recognised databases.
• The remaining 4 publications may include journal articles, book chapters, peer-reviewed conference proceedings, or similar scholarly outputs published by recognised publishers.
• An academic book may be considered equivalent to a maximum of 4 refereed journal articles, depending on the quality and standing of the publisher.
• Sustained research output, including a minimum of 2 peer-reviewed publications every three years.
• First authorship in at least one-third of the required refereed journal publications.
• Sustained externally supported research through funded or commissioned projects.
• Regular presentation of papers or posters at national and increasingly international conferences.
• Evidence of mentoring early-career researchers and graduate students.
• Publications distributed across national and international journals.
• Recognisable research impact demonstrated through at least two of the following: Evidence of research awards or other forms of research recognition (added advantage).
  • Citations
  • h-index
  • Patents
  • Policy applications
  • Peer review activities
  • Publications prescribed as texts at other institutions
• National and increasingly international research standing demonstrated through at least two of the following: Evidence of governance and social engagement.
  • Peer review of research proposals
  • Membership on research committees
  • Editor, guest editor, or reviewer for refereed publishers
  • Editorial board membership
  • Invitations as keynote speaker at national or international conferences
• Research collaborations with other institutions or organisations.
• Research collaboration with cognate disciplines within the University.
• Experience serving as an external examiner for Master's and/or PhD theses nationally and/or internationally.
• Successful supervision of:
  • 2 Master's students, or
  • Co-supervision of 4 Master's students, or
  • Supervision of 1 PhD student, or
  • Co-supervision of 2 PhD students or postdoctoral research fellows.

Additional Information

The Curriculum Vitae (CV) should contain a detailed list of publications, clearly specifying:

• Publication titles
• ISBNs (for books, book chapters, and conference proceedings)
• Publication dates
• Publishers
• Co-authors (where applicable)
• Number of pages

Publications should be categorised as:

• Books
• Book chapters
• Refereed journal articles
• Non-refereed publications
• Consultancies
• Practical media projects

This information will be considered an added advantage.

Remuneration

The University offers competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.

How to Apply

Applicants should address the stated qualifications in their application letter and provide additional information to assist the University in determining their suitability for the position.

Applications should include:

• Application letter quoting Vacancy No. IRC 3355
• Current Curriculum Vitae (including telephone number and email address)
• Certified copies of educational certificates
• Certified academic transcripts
• Three work-related references

Applications should be sent to:

Senior Professional: HR Business Partnering
Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences
University of Botswana
Private Bag UB 00704
Gaborone
Botswana

Telephone: (267) 355-2917

Email: fosvacancies@ub.ac.bw

Applicants should request their referees to:

• Quote the vacancy number and position applied for.
• Submit references directly to the above address before the closing date.

Hand-Delivered Applications

Hand-delivered applications should be submitted to:

Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences
Block 233, Office No. 121 (233/121)

Additional Information

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date

Open until filled.

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