Senior Lecturer (P001162)

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The School of Communication Studies at the NWU Potchefstroom Campus has one vacancy for a Senior Lecturer in the vibrant and dynamic field of communication, specifically journalism and media studies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Teaching

• Teach advanced level courses in journalism and media studies to a diverse student body, including core or foundational practical skills as well as specialty courses in journalism and media studies.
• Teach general communication courses.
• Bring enthusiasm and strong pedagogy to teaching; engage in a practical, hands-on program of teaching; which includes the co- management of all the core aspects newswriting, sub-editing, photography, layout, ethical considerations a daily live news site and provide strong mentoring to students.
• Provide curricular leadership in the journalism and media studies program on both undergraduate and honours degree levels.
• Engage in scholarly and subject-related case studies.
• Provide service to the Institution.
• Provide service to the community.
• Advise and support students to obtain industry experience.

Curriculum Development

• Contribute to curricular revision to reflect the latest trends in journalism practice, and to build and expand the journalism and media studies subject group across all campuses.

Scholarly work

• Well-established publication record and clear evidence of an agenda for continued research in the field of development journalism and media studies. Participation in research projects concerning personal research and in collaboration with colleagues.

Study guidance

• Provide study guidance to graduate students on an honours, Masters and Doctorate level.

Administration and other tasks

• Responsible for all administrative tasks with regard to the above.
• Study guide development and update.
• Student marks and assessment.
• Share responsibility for committee and department assignments as required.
• Contribute to the Faculty Committees as well as University Committees.
• Participate in services related to the operations of the school.

Minimum requirements

• A doctor of philosophy degree in communication or other applicable humanities degrees with specialisation journalism and media studies NQF level 10.
• A minimum of three 3 years' experience of teaching at undergraduate, honours & masters.
• A minimum of three 3 years' practical experience as a journalist in a South African news organisation any platform.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Within higher education evidence of successfully supervised master's students PhD level desirable
• Must be able to demonstrate core skills developed as a practitioner in the news industry, including evidence of newswriting and sub-editing across all platforms and knowledge of software programmes such as InDesign, layout competencies in a digital including mobile and print news environment; as well as have a strong industry network.
• Sound understanding of the communication discipline with specialisation in journalism and media studies.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Team player within groups
• Sound relations with colleagues
• Able to work independently
• Ethical principles and academic integrity.

Apply by: 1 September 2026