Job Summary
- Type: full-time
- Location: Gaborone
- Category: Academia & Research
- Closing Date: 2026-09-03
Key Responsibilities
- contribute to the development of and implement departmental, sectional, and unit-level strategies, policies, plans, and procedures;
- teach undergraduate MBBS and graduate students Anatomical pathology / Clinical Pathology/ Chemical Pathology courses;
- provide laboratory training to Master of Medicine Anatomical Pathology residents; or Master of Medicine Clinical Pathology residents;
- conduct research, including the long-range planning and management of individuals and multidisciplinary teams;
- initiate and participate in community engagement;
- take an active part in the supervision and assessment of undergraduate and graduate students’ research projects;
- develop and implement mentorship activities for junior staff;
- raise research funds from funding agencies within and outside University;
- facilitate partnerships internally and externally;
- serve in committees within the University and external professional organisations;
- develop new programmes in the department;
- Demonstrate an understanding of how students learn and the role of teaching in promoting learning, and which acknowledges contemporary thinking related to teaching and learning in the discipline.
- 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.
- Provide leadership at Faculty committees.
- Recognize and pursue strategic opportunities for research programme development.
- Promote ethical research conduct and high academic standards.
- Foster national and international exchange of ideas in the discipline and advocate for its advancement and
- carry out any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Head of School or Departmental Chairperson .
Requirements
- a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS, MBChB, MD) or equivalent qualification
- a Master of Medicine (MMed) or equivalent from a recognised institution in Anatomic Pathology/ or Clinical Pathology/Chemical Pathology;
- Registered with a Valid Practising Licence (or registrable) with the Botswana Health Professions Council with a specialist status in Anatomic Pathology/Clinical pathology/ Chemical Pathology;
- a PhD in any of the above discipline will be an added advantage.
- a minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience and demonstrated competence and impact in the practice of the profession; or 3 years of sustained mentorship/practice related training which would be considered as an alternative;
- an excellent cumulative and sustained record of research and publication and experience in supervising students’ research projects;
- at least 12 pieces of research products published by recognised publishers, 6 of which must be articles in refereed/accredited journals indexed in internationally recognised indexing databases;
- sustained research output e.g. a minimum of 1.5 peer-reviewed publications per year or new clinical excellence output every 2 years in 6 years;
- sustained research activity (ongoing internally and externally funded research projects);
- be first and/or last author in at least 4 refereed journal articles or book chapters;
- publications should be spread internationally and across journals;
- recognisable research impact, including but not limited to citations (excluding self-citations), the h-index, patents, policy applications, peer reviews, clinical effectiveness, publications that are prescribed texts in other institutions, etc;
- recognised as being of national but increasingly international research or effective clinical professional standing;
- research collaborations with other institutions or organisations and research collaboration with cognate disciplines in the University;
- successful supervision of 2 Masters students OR co-supervision of 4 Masters students;
- external examiner for Masters, nationally and/or internationally;
- evidence of governance, social and academic engagement;
- Sustained and impactful leadership and/or managerial role;
- Advising international or non-government bodies with evidence of impact on policy.
Salary
The University offers competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with qualifications and experience.
How to Apply
Vacancy Circular No: IRC 3359
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 academic qualifications and professional certifications are required for this role in Botswana?
Applicants must hold a PhD in Anatomic, Clinical, or Chemical Pathology, plus full registration with the Botswana Medical Council (BMC) and relevant specialist certification from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) or equivalent recognised bodies. International qualifications require evaluation and recognition by the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) before BMC registration can be granted.
What does a typical workday look like for an Associate Professor in Pathology at the University of Botswana?
Duties include teaching undergraduate and postgraduate medical students, supervising pathology residents and research projects, performing diagnostic reporting (especially in collaboration with Princess Marina Hospital), and contributing to curriculum development and accreditation processes. Clinical service obligations are integrated with academic duties, often requiring presence at both the university’s Faculty of Medicine and affiliated national health facilities.
How does workplace culture and professional expectations differ in Botswana’s academic-medical environment compared to other countries?
Teamwork across disciplines is highly valued, with strong emphasis on mentorship, community engagement, and responsiveness to national health priorities such as HIV/TB and non-communicable disease diagnostics. Punctuality, respect for seniority, and adherence to public sector protocols—including formal reporting lines and ethics committee approvals—are expected in both teaching and clinical settings.
What realistic career progression paths exist after appointment as an Associate Professor in Pathology at the University of Botswana?
Promotion to Full Professor is possible through sustained research output, national/international leadership in pathology, and contributions to health policy—typically requiring peer-reviewed publications, successful grant acquisition, and supervision of PhD candidates. Some academics also take on administrative roles such as Head of Department or Dean, while others pursue dual appointments with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to influence diagnostic service delivery.
What benefits—such as leave, medical aid, and pension—are typically offered to academic staff in this role?
Staff are enrolled in the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF) and receive fully subsidised government medical aid through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) rollout phases. Annual leave is 30 working days, plus public holidays and study leave (up to 3 months every 3 years) subject to departmental approval and coverage arrangements.
How do I apply, and what do hiring committees in Botswana specifically look for in candidates for this role?
Applications must be submitted via the University of Botswana’s official recruitment portal during advertised vacancies, accompanied by certified academic transcripts, BMC registration proof, BQA equivalence letters (if applicable), and evidence of teaching/research experience. Committees prioritise candidates with demonstrable experience in resource-constrained settings, commitment to capacity building in Botswana’s pathology workforce, and alignment with national health strategies such as the Botswana National Health Policy.