Applications are invited for the position of Associate Professor in Rangeland Ecology and Management at the Okavango Research Institute (ORI). The Institute is based in Maun, in north-western Botswana, and specializes in natural resources management, sustainable natural resource use and conservation in the iconic Okavango Delta and the Kgalagadi (Kalahari) region. The Institute has a good library (a branch of the University library in Gaborone) and excellent research laboratories. The Institute attracts significant international funding and is becoming generally acknowledged as a global research leader in natural resources management. Additional information on ORI including its Strategic Plan can be found on www.ori.ub.bw.
Duties: The successful candidate will be expected to; (i) provide academic leadership through enhancement of research in sustainable rangeland resources management primarily in northern Botswana and the Kgalagadi(Kalahari) region and other areas of interest; (ii) initiate, develop and establish research strategies and programs aiming to establish the status, constraints and the production potential of rangelands considering the interactions among vegetation, livestock, wildlife and rainfall; (iii) design range management and rehabilitation studies focusing on livestock production and game farming in the context of existing policies and institutional structures; (iv) investigate the influence of large herbivores, fire and climatic fluctuations on rangeland ecosystem dynamics(e.g. composition, structure and function); (v) contribute to the joint research efforts of ORI by preparing project proposals for external funding; (vi)develop in service training courses for government departments and non- governmental organizations on rangeland issues; (vii) develop comprehensive rangeland resources inventory and monitoring programs in collaboration with relevant government institutions. Although the duties are primarily research, the successful candidate will be expected to develop and teach courses at both graduate and undergraduate levels. S/he will also be required to perform all other duties as assigned by the Director/Deputy Director.
Requirements: the candidate should have/be (i) a PhD in Rangeland Ecology and Management or related fields (e.g. Landscape Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Range and Forest Resource Management); (ii) at least six (6) years relevant experience at a university or comparable institution; (iii) a minimum of twenty-one (21) pieces of research products (e.g. articles, book chapters, peer reviewed conference proceedings etc.) published by recognized publishers; (iv) eighteen (18) of the twenty-one (21) publications above must be articles in refereed/ accredited journals indexed in internationally recognized indexing databases; (v) the remaining three (3) publications could be journal articles, book chapters, peer reviewed conference proceedings, etc. published by recognized publishers. An academic book may be equivalent to a maximum of four (4) articles in refereed/accredited journals, depending on the quality and standing of the publisher; (vi) sustained research output indicating a minimum of seven (7) peer reviewed publications (e.g. journal articles, book chapter, peer reviewed conference proceedings, etc.) every three (3) years; (vii) scholarly presentations at national and/ or international conferences; (viii) be first author in at least one-third of the required journal publications, depending on disciplinary expectations. There should also be evidence of mentorship of early career scholars/graduate students; (ix) publications are spread nationally and/or internationally and across journals; (x) recognizable research impact, including but not limited to citations, the h-index, patents, policy applications, peer reviews, publications that are prescribed texts in other institutions etc. (required in at least 2 of the these; (xi) recognized as being of at least national research standing (e.g. reviewer for refereed/ accredited national and regional publishers; editorial board member of at least a national publisher in a relevant field; invitation as keynote speaker at national and/ or international conferences (required in at least 2 of these); (xii) evidence of governance and social engagement; (xiii) research collaborations with other institutions or organisations; (xiv) research collaboration with cognate disciplines in the University; (xv) external examiner for Masters and/or PhD theses nationally and/or internationally. The following will be added advantages; (i) sustained research activity: on-going internally and/ or externally-supported research (e.g. funded/commissioned); (ii) research awards and other forms of research recognition, where appropriate and (iii) examiner/moderator/assessor for undergraduate and/or postgraduate projects nationally and/or internationally.
NB: The curriculum vitae should contain a detailed list of published works, clearly specifying titles of publications, ISBN numbers (for books, book chapters and conference proceedings), dates of publications, names of publishers, name/s of co-authors if any and number of pages. The works should be categorized into books, book chapters, refereed journals, non-refereed works, consultancies, and practical media projects.
Remuneration: The University of Botswana offers competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications. For more information on the university, please visit our website; www.ub.bw
Applications are to address the qualifications outlined in the advertisement and provide any other information to assist the university to determine the applicant’s suitability for the position. The applicant should quote the vacancy number of the post applied for; provide current CVs (including telephone, telex and telefax number and e-mail where possible), certified true copies of educational certificates, transcripts and three references, including names and addresses of three referees. Complete documentation should be sent to: Human Resources Officer, Okavango Research Institute, Private Bag 285 Maun, Botswana. Tel.: +267 6817228; Fax.: +267 6861835: E-mail: ori_recruitment@ub.ac.bw/ basiangy@ub.ac.bw. Applicants should inform their referees to (i) quote the Vacancy Number(s) and Position(s) applied for and (ii) submit their references directly to the above address before the stipulated closing date. Please note that applications with incomplete information shall not be considered.
Hand delivered applications should be submitted to the HR Office, Admin Porta cabin.
NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
Closing Dates: 29 February 2024