Professor: Molecular Biology/Professor: Human Genetics and Head of Division

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Department of Biomedical Sciences Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics

Professor: Molecular Biology/Professor: Human Genetics and

Head of Division 

(Post Level 5)

(Five-year fixed-term contract appointment with the possibility of renewal)

(Tygerberg Campus)
Ref. TGB02/105/0426 

Stellenbosch University (SU) is an inclusive, innovative, and future focused institution, a place of discovery and excellence where both staff and students are thought leaders in advancing knowledge in the service of all stakeholders. 

We are seeking an incumbent who will be appointed permanently as a full professor in either Molecular Biology or Human Genetics and also appointed in a five-year renewable appointment as Head of the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics. This incumbent will become a core member of, and establish their own research group within, the Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) of Stellenbosch University, provide vision and leadership to the Division and contribute to the research excellence of the BMRI, thereby contributing to enhancing our position as a leading Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and University. 

Duties: 

• Providing intellectual and strategic leadership to position the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics and the Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) as a leading centre in molecular biology and human genetics in Africa.
• Establishing and leading a vibrant research group in a field of research complementary to the focus areas of the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics and the Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI).
• Leading the strategic, academic, and operational development of the Division in alignment with Faculty, Departmental, and BMRI priorities.
• Leading operational planning and coordination of all Division-specific academic activities, including teaching and research, social impact and service rendering.
• Fostering an inclusive and collegial environment that encourages a high level of performance, collaboration and teamwork. 
• Managing finances, human resources and physical infrastructure, in accordance with the policies of Stellenbosch University and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS).
• Reporting to the Executive Head of Department (EHoD) and relevant FMHS Committees on Division-specific activities.
• Representing the Division on departmental and BMRI structures, or where delegated for this purpose, on FMHS and partner employer committees/structures.
• In collaboration with the responsible manager(s) of the relevant service authorities, responsible for all aspects of Division-related planning and management of central and/or peripheral services, as outlined in the joint agreement(s) between SU and the relevant service authorities (where applicable) and in any applicable service level agreements.
• The Head of Division (HOD) is a member of the Departmental Management Committee (DMC) of the Department.
• As a full professor of the University with a laboratory within the BMRI, the incumbent will become a core member of the BMRI and contribute to the vision and activities of the BMRI.
• Performing other associated duties as delegated by the EHoD or Dean. 

Requirements: 

• Fulltime/permanent appointability in molecular biology or human genetics at the academic rank of full professor.
• PhD in molecular biology or human genetics or a closely-related field (such as genomics, medical biochemistry, bioinformatics, immunology, cell biology, etc.)
• An excellent academic, scholarly and scientific record with a comprehensive body of research outputs in their field of expertise commensurate with the academic rank of full professor at SU.
• International standing as a researcher academic. The incumbent must be an internationally recognised leader of an active and productive research group, a consummate academic researcher, well recognised for substantial and innovative contributions to the field. Competence in scientific research over the full spectrum of requirements that might be expected from a recognised research leader should be demonstrated.
• Leadership in large-scale or interdisciplinary programmes and international collaborations.
• Experience in building sustainable research groups and mentorship pipelines.
• Track record of significant and successful postgraduate training (including supervision of master’s and doctoral students, and mentoring of postdoctoral fellows).
• Track record of successful grants and research funding and the ability to support their own research through external funding.
• Proven managerial experience in an academic environment.
• Proven leadership skills.
• Proven skills in management of financial resources. 

Recommendations: 

• Experience of interaction with academic and/or professional bodies at national and international level.
• Experience of working in, or engaging with, low- and middle-income country research contexts will be advantageous. 

Commencement of duties: 

As soon as possible 

Closing date:

29 May 2026 

Enquiries about this post: Prof JG Strijdom on 021 938 9387, or at [email protected] 

Enquiries about remuneration/benefits and technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre, on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch), or 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at [email protected]

The University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the institutional EE Plan.

Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and email addresses of at least three references), must reach the University before or on the closing date in the advertisement. 

Apply online at https://www.su.ac.za/en/careers-suby clicking “Apply now” at the top to the right of the page for the specific vacancy.  

The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires people in occupations that entail potential exposure to certain hazards (such as noise, hazardous chemical substances and hazardous biological agents) to undergo medical screening to determine whether they be fit to work in those occupations.

If you have received no feedback from the University after four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application was unsuccessful.