Senior Researcher/Senior Lecturer

(Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Business Transformation)

Wits MIND Investec Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Business Transformation

Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand

Job Title

Senior Researcher/Senior Lecturer: Wits MIND–Investec Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Business Transformation

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Location

Braamfontein, Johannesburg

Organisation

Wits Business School / Wits MIND Institute

Department Description

The Wits MIND Investec Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Business Transformation is a strategic research and engagement initiative located at Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand. The Chair advances research, teaching, executive education, public dialogue, and industry collaboration on the responsible integration of artificial intelligence into business and society, with a particular focus on sustainable transformation in African and emerging-market contexts.

Brief Description

The Chair seeks to appoint an outstanding, research-active and institutionally minded Senior Researcher/Senior Lecturer to play a leading role in establishing one of Africa's emerging centres of excellence in artificial intelligence, business transformation, and sustainable development.

Working closely with the Founding Academic Lead, the successful candidate will contribute to the Chair's research programme, postgraduate talent development, executive education, industry partnerships, and thought leadership activities. This appointment offers an exceptional opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of the Chair while developing an internationally recognised research profile within a dynamic and interdisciplinary academic environment.

Key responsibilities will include:

Research

• Lead and contribute to high-quality interdisciplinary research. 
• Publish in internationally recognised journals. 
• Develop competitive research proposals. 

Teaching

• Teach postgraduate courses. 
• Support executive education. 
• Supervise postgraduate students. 

Engagement

• Develop industry partnerships. 
• Organise conferences and seminars. 
• Produce policy briefs. 

Chair Development

• Support reporting. 
• Build collaborations. 
• Mentor junior researchers.

The successful candidate will also be expected to develop their own research profile and contribute actively to the intellectual life of Wits Business School, Wits MIND, and the broader University.

Selection Criteria

Applicants should have:

1. A PhD in artificial intelligence, digital business, information systems, informatics, information technology, computer science, management, economics, public policy, sustainability, data science, innovation studies, or a related field.

Demonstrated expertise in one or more areas aligned to the Chair's research themes, including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, AI governance, responsible innovation, or digital business.

Demonstrated publication record in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals.

Demonstrated ability, or clear potential, to contribute to externally funded research projects.

Experience in producing academic, policy, or applied research outputs.

Ability to translate research into practical insights for business, policy, and society.

Experience in postgraduate teaching and supervision within a university environment.

Strong project management, writing, editing, and research coordination skills.

Ability to work with academic, industry, government, and civil society stakeholders.

Experience working in interdisciplinary research teams and collaborative institutional environments.

Additional Details

The appointment will be made by the University of the Witwatersrand. The position is broadly equivalent to a university Senior Lecturer-level appointment, subject to Wits policies and appointment criteria.

The successful candidate will be based in Johannesburg and will play a central role in establishing and growing the Chair's research programme, postgraduate pipeline, executive education portfolio, partnership network, and public engagement activities.

The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from underrepresented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University.

This appointment offers an exceptional opportunity to shape one of Africa's emerging interdisciplinary AI research initiatives while developing an internationally recognised research profile.

Application Requirements

Closing date: 7th August 2026
Applicants are invited to apply by registering their profile on the Wits i-Recruitment platform at https://irec.wits.ac.za and submitting their application through the portal.

Applications must include the following:
1.    Full curriculum vitae, including a complete publication list.
2.    Two academic referees
3.    Certified copies of academic qualifications
4.    Teaching portfolio (if applicable)
5.    Contact details of three referees (rather than two) for a senior appointment
For further enquiries please contact Professor Rennie Naidoo on (Rennie.Naidoo@wits.ac.za).

The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University. The University retains the right not to make an appointment and to verify all information provided by candidates.
Please note that correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates

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Founded in 2017, the African Energy Leadership Centre (AELC) is the first and only Centre of its kind in Africa. The Centre is located within the Wits Business School at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Its strategic aim is to develop leaders in the energy industry and related fields who think and act strategically and are equipped with the necessary skills to address the challenges of a changing African energy landscape, which is the primary focus of the Centre’s research and education. 

The AELC is inviting applications for a PhD Candidate position, fully funded by the Chemical Industries Education & Training Sector Authority (CHIETA). We are seeking passionate individuals eager to further their research in the Green Hydrogen Economy. Ideally, candidates should:

• have an interest in expanding research interests in the Green Hydrogen Economy.
   
• aim to deliver new insights into how emerging technologies like hydrogen can optimise and balance energy
  supply and demand, supporting South Africa’s growing population and addressing the stress on energy infrastructure.

The PhD position is awarded competitively based on academic achievements, research potential, and criteria. The successful candidate will undertake their PhD, full-time or part-time, at the AELC at Wits Business School for the duration of the contract.

Submitted documents should include:
Potential candidates should complete and submit a pre-application form to obtain a unique number to use in the second phase of the online application process.

Link to pre-application form: https://tinyurl.com/yt38suy7  by 29 July 2026.

Other requirements:

• Full names and contact details,
• Highest qualification, including name of qualification, institution awarded by, grade achieved, and date of completion,
• Indicate Energy as a broad discipline
• A 300-word idea for a research project, [using these headings: Proposed Title, Main Research Questions, Motivation for Proposed Research]. The research Project should specifically be within the Green Hydrogen Economy.
• Name of possible supervisor, if known,
• Current CV.

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Founded in 2017, the African Energy Leadership Centre (AELC) is the first and only centre of its kind in Africa. The centre is situated within the Wits Business School at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Its primary aim is to develop leaders in the energy industry and related fields who think and act strategically, equipped withthe necessary skills to face the challenges of a changing African energy landscape. This focus guides the centre’s research and educational initiatives.

In collaboration with the Chemical Industries Education & Training Sector Authority (CHIETA), under the Research Chair in the Green Hydrogen Economy, the AELC is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. We are seeking passionate individuals interested in developing their research in the Green Hydrogen Economy. Ideally, candidates should:**
 

• have an interest in expanding research interests in the Green Hydrogen Economy,
• be capable of understanding, predicting, and adapting to changes in energy supply and consumption from multiple sources.
• have the ability to model real-time impacts on energy systems and value chains of a wide range of factors, from technology disruption to climate change and changes in consumption patterns, and
• aim to deliver new insights into how emerging technologies like hydrogen can optimize and balance energy supply and demand, supporting South Africa’s growing population and addressing the stress on energy infrastructure.
   

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship will be awarded through a competitive process that evaluates the candidate's academic achievements, potential for independent research, and their alignment with the criteria. The successful candidate will work full-time at the AELC, Wits Business School, for the duration of the contract.
 

Eligibility
 

• Doctoral degree in disciplines or subdisciplines of Energy Management, Natural Sciences (Environmental, Chemistry), Chemical Engineering, Economics, or related fields.
• The PhD should have been completed within the last five years.
• List of publications (or demonstrate ability to write and publish in peer-reviewed research journals).
• Establish a clear research agenda that addresses energy-related challenges in the Green Hydrogen Economy.
• Good oral and written communication skills, computer literacy, and the ability to contribute to the academic and research culture of the university.
• Ability to collaborate efficiently.
   

Duties
 

• Coordinate and carry out an industry-based research programme with a deeper understanding of the impact of technological change, regulatory lags, stakeholder engagement, environmental management, climate change, climate-based market interventions, and social instability on energy supply and demand.
• Create knowledge and research products that enhance understanding, assisting government, regulators, researchers, and the private sector in ensuring comprehension of Green Hydrogen. This includes producing research papers, articles, opinion pieces, conference and workshop presentations, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute to teaching activities as required within the Centre’s Postgraduate programmes.
• Participate in teaching and supervise postgraduate students as required.
• Applicants should have access to, or be able to gather, the data relevant to inform decision-making in the industry.
• Utilise various software tools to facilitate informed decision-making in the sector.
• Collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders (industries) to promote advanced research within the industry.
  
  Submitted documents should include:
• A comprehensive and up-to-date Curriculum Vitae showcasing a history of publications and academic commitments.
• Certified copy of identity document or passport.
• Certified copies of qualifications.
• An outlined research agenda, aligned to the industry-specific research niche.
   

Duration:

• 12 months, with the possibility of extension depending on satisfactory performance and funding availability.
• The candidate must be available from 1st October 2026.
• The University will provide essential logistical resources for research and conference activities, an annual stipend of R300 000.00 (tax-free), and medical aid for the duration of the fellowship.

Enquiries can be directed to Dr Steven Mathetsa (steven.mathetsa@wits.ac.za) or Dr Goitsione Olifant (Goitsione.olifant@wits.ac.za).

Applications should be submitted to Ms Elizabeth Moshwane at Elizabeth.moshwane@wits.ac.za by 30 August 2026.