The University of Botswana (UB), a premier state-owned tertiary institution dedicated to shaping the future through excellence, research, innovation and meaningful societal impact, invites applications from accomplished and suitably qualified professionals for the position of Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer/Lecturer in Sports Science (Sports Psychology) in the Department of Sports Science, Physical Education and Coaching under the School of Allied Health Sciences.
Job Summary
- Employer: University of Botswana
- Job Type: Full-time
- Location: Gaborone, Botswana
- Category: Education
- Salary: competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications
- Closing Date: 2026-11-06
Key Responsibilities
- Teach undergraduate, postgraduate, and practical courses in Sports Science (Sports Psychology) or related areas
- Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research projects
- Examine postgraduate theses
- undertake scholarly research
- have an impactful engagement with the industry
- Contribute to the development of and implementation of university, faculty and school level strategies, policies, plans, and procedures
- Guide and support students as they acquire learning practices appropriate to the discipline
- Guide and support a range of students to produce rigorous research or sound professional practice
- Review programmes/ courses to ensure they are relevant to and up to date with local, international, global and disciplinary contexts, as well as engagement with students, stakeholders and peers
- Ensure alignment between programmes/ courses and respective outcomes, teaching and learning activities, and assessment methods and criteria
- Publish findings in reputable journals and present at conferences for wider dissemination
- Secure external funding to support research and elevate the university’s reputation
- Cultivate interdisciplinary collaborations, fostering innovation and problem-solving
- Drive grant proposal development to sustain research momentum
- Proactively engage in consultancy services in line area of expertise
- Manage a Faculty/unit or department in the university as assigned/ appointed
- Contribute to programme development and quality assurance internally and externally, including short executive development courses
- Engage in activities to enhance the university’s profile and foster community development (e.g., leadership in professional committees, service in regional/ international bodies/ expert panels, or leadership in public and/or private organisations)
- Make high level impact in institutional and national policy review
- Keep abreast of developments within own field of study and its implications for teaching and learning, community engagement, research, etc.
- Participate in the identification and mitigation of operational risks
- Comply with relevant regulations and legislation
- Perform any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Head of School/Departmental Chairperson required by the University in line with the role
Requirements
- PhD/Doctorate in Sports Science, Physical Education or related field
- Master’s Degree in Sports Science, Physical Education or a related field
- Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Science, Physical Education or a related field with at least a 2(i) pass (CGPA of at least 3.6) or equivalent.
- at least 6 years’ relevant teaching experience at a university or comparable institution; a minimum of Twelve (12) pieces of research products (e.g. articles, book chapters, peer-reviewed conference proceedings, etc.) published by recognized publishers. Eight (8) of these must be articles in referred/accredited journals in internationally recognized indexing databases. The remaining four (4) 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
- sustained research output: a minimum of two (2) peer reviewed publications every three (3) years
- sustained research activity; ongoing externally supported research
- regular paper/poster presentations at national but also increasingly at international conferences
- be lead and/or single author in at least one-third of the required journal publications. There should also be evidence of mentorship of early career scholars/graduate students
- publications should be spread internationally and across journals
- 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 two (2) of the these)
- recognized as being of national but increasingly international research standing (e.g. peer reviewing of new research proposals, reference in research committees, editor/guest editor/reviewer of refereed/accredited national and international publishers, editorial board member of an international publisher in a relevant field, invitations as keynote speaker at national and international conferences (required in at least two (2) of the these)
- evidence of governance and social engagement
- research collaborations with other institutions or organizations
- research collaboration with cognate disciplines in the University
- external examiner for Masters and/or PhD thesis nationally and/or internationally
- Research collaborations with cognate disciplines
- Successful supervision of 2 Masters students or co-supervision of 4 Masters students or supervision of 1 PhD student or co-supervision of 2 PhD students/Post-Doc research fellows (required where appropriate, otherwise a candidate should provide evidence that they could not find supervisees)
- External examiner for Masters students.
- Registered or eligible for registration with the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA)
Salary
competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications
How to Apply
To apply, please visit: ub.bw
Vacancy Circular No: IRC 3561
About the Company
The University of Botswana (UB) was established in 1982, as the first institution of higher education in Botswana. The university currently has three campuses: one in the capital city Gaborone, one in Francistown, and another in Maun. The University of Botswana is divided into six faculties: Business, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Health Sciences, Science and Social Sciences and the Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital. UB is ranked 1201–1500 in the world and 21st in sub-Saharan Africa in the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Ranking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications are typically required for a Lecturer or Associate Professor position in Sports Psychology at the University of Botswana?
A PhD in Sports Psychology or a closely related field is usually required for Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer roles, while a Master's degree with significant progress toward a PhD may suffice for Lecturer positions. Professional registration with the Botswana Psychology Council or relevant international bodies is often expected. Prior teaching experience and a record of research publications strengthen your application.
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a Sports Psychology lecturer at a Botswana university?
Daily duties include delivering lectures, supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research, and conducting independent research for publication. You will also participate in faculty meetings, curriculum development, and community engagement activities. Student consultation hours and administrative tasks related to examination marking are standard expectations.
How does the academic work culture at Botswana universities typically operate, and what are the expectations around research output?
The work culture emphasizes collegiality, respect for hierarchy, and balancing teaching with research productivity. Annual research output targets typically include peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Tenure and promotion decisions heavily weigh your contribution to the university's research profile and national development goals.
What career progression opportunities exist for academics in Sports Science at Botswana institutions?
Progression follows a structured path from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and ultimately Professor, based on teaching excellence, research publications, and service contributions. Opportunities exist to move into administrative roles such as Head of Department or Dean. Collaboration with regional bodies like SADC universities and international partnerships can accelerate your visibility and advancement.
What employment benefits are commonly offered to academic staff at public universities in Botswana?
Benefits typically include contributory pension schemes through the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund, medical aid coverage, and generous annual leave allowances. Housing allowances or subsidized accommodation may be available depending on the institution. Study and research leave provisions support continued professional development and further qualifications.
How should I apply for academic positions at the University of Botswana, and what do selection committees prioritize?
Applications are submitted through official university channels with detailed CVs, certified academic transcripts, and contactable referees. Selection committees prioritize demonstrated research capability, teaching philosophy statements, and alignment with national sports development priorities. Evidence of community engagement and ability to attract research funding strengthens your candidacy significantly.
