UNISA Opens Applications for Senior Academic Positions at the Graduate School of Business Leadership – Apply By 22 May 2026 @the Graduate School of Business Leadership – Apply By 22 May 2026

The University of South Africa (UNISA), Africa’s leading open distance learning institution, has announced multiple senior academic vacancies within its Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL) based at the Midrand Campus. As the only publicly funded distance education university in South Africa, UNISA continues to strengthen its academic leadership and research capacity by recruiting experienced scholars, researchers, and industry experts across several disciplines.

The institution is inviting applications for Professor, Associate Professor, Distinguished Professor, and Senior Lecturer positions in key business and management fields. These opportunities are aimed at academics and professionals who possess strong teaching, research, postgraduate supervision, and community engagement experience.

Academic Opportunities Available

UNISA is currently recruiting for the following academic disciplines:

• Economics
• Strategy and Strategic Management
• Marketing Management
• Project Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Global Business
• Leadership and Innovation

The advertised vacancies include:

• Professor/Associate Professor in Economics
• Professor/Associate Professor in Strategy
• Professor/Associate Professor in Marketing
• Professor/Associate Professor in Project Management
• Professor/Associate Professor in Supply Chain Management
• Distinguished Professors
• Senior Lecturers in Supply Chain Management
• Senior Lecturers in Project Management
• Senior Lecturers in Global Business

Key Requirements for Professor and Associate Professor Positions

Applicants for Professor and Associate Professor positions are expected to demonstrate advanced academic expertise and a strong research background.

Minimum requirements include:

• A doctoral degree (NQF Level 10) in the relevant discipline
• At least:
  • 5 years of teaching experience for Full Professor positions
  • 4 years of teaching experience for Associate Professor positions
• Proven publication record in accredited peer-reviewed journals or conference proceedings
• Successful supervision of Master’s and PhD students to completion
• Evidence of satisfactory student pass rates
• Participation in community engagement and academic leadership
• Contribution to national and international academic networks

Candidates must also demonstrate involvement in university committees, scholarly societies, and research initiatives aligned with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Research Policy.

Preferred Qualifications and Additional Competencies

UNISA has indicated that preference may be given to candidates who possess:

• Experience teaching in an Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) environment
• Active academic citizenship roles
• NRF rating or evidence of application for NRF rating
• International research collaborations
• Registration with relevant professional bodies
• Strong postgraduate supervision experience

For Strategy and Global Business roles, expertise in strategic management and international business will be advantageous. Candidates applying for Project Management positions are expected to have completed Project Management programmes and demonstrate industry-relevant competencies.

Distinguished Professor Positions

UNISA is also seeking applications for two Distinguished Professor positions targeting scholars with exceptional academic standing and international recognition.

The university is specifically looking for expertise in:

• Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Digitalisation
• Health Leadership and Innovation
• Women Leadership

Distinguished Professor applicants must have held Full Professor rank for at least five years and demonstrate:

• Outstanding research performance
• Strong international or national academic reputation
• Proven success in securing external research funding
• Leadership of research teams and programmes
• Extensive postgraduate supervision experience
• Strategic academic leadership capabilities

Preference will be given to candidates holding NRF ratings at A, B, or C1 level.

Senior Lecturer Opportunities

Senior Lecturer vacancies are available in:

• Supply Chain Management
• Project Management
• Global Business

Applicants must possess:

• A doctoral qualification in the relevant field
• At least three years of relevant teaching or industry experience
• Evidence of postgraduate supervision
• Accredited research outputs
• Participation in academic committees and community engagement activities

UNISA encourages applications from both academics and experienced industry professionals who can contribute to teaching, research, and postgraduate development.

Teaching Statement and Research Portfolio Requirements

Candidates applying for academic posts are required to submit a teaching statement aligned with UNISA’s Open Distance Learning philosophy and institutional policies.

Applicants from non-academic positions must explain their proposed approach to teaching and learning, while applicants already in academic roles must provide evidence relating to:

• Learner-centred teaching approaches
• ODeL experience
• Development of study material
• Student support initiatives
• Student pass rates
• Peer and student evaluations

Shortlisted candidates may also be required to submit a portfolio of evidence and a research reflection portfolio during the recruitment process.

Application Process

Applications must include:

• Completed application form for a permanent academic post
• Comprehensive curriculum vitae
• Certified copies of:
  • Identity document or passport
  • Academic qualifications
  • Academic transcripts
  • SAQA verification for foreign qualifications (if applicable)
• Teaching statement for academic posts
• Contact details of three referees

Applications must be submitted via email to:

SBLHR@unisa.ac.za

Applicants applying for multiple positions must submit separate applications for each vacancy.

Important Dates and Additional Information

• Closing Date: 22 May 2026
• Submission Deadline: Before 16:00 South African time
• Duty Station: Midrand Campus, Graduate School of Business Leadership
• Commencement Date: As soon as possible

UNISA has stated that incomplete or late applications will not be considered. The university also reserves the right not to fill advertised positions.

Appointments will be made in accordance with UNISA’s Employment Equity Plan, and applications from persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged.

Why These Opportunities Matter

These positions present a major opportunity for experienced academics and industry professionals seeking to contribute to one of Africa’s largest and most influential distance learning institutions. UNISA’s Graduate School of Business Leadership continues to play a critical role in shaping business education, leadership development, and research innovation across the continent.

With growing demand for flexible and digitally enabled higher education, successful candidates will have the opportunity to influence postgraduate education, mentor emerging researchers, and contribute to globally relevant scholarship in business and leadership studies.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.