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 Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. The position holder is responsible for making original contributions to the Psychiatry discipline, research and scholarship. The incumbent plays a critical role and providing leadership in scholarship & research internationally and makes significant contribution in the governance of the institution enhanced by their professional skills, creativity and experience as gained from relevant area of practice.
Job Summary
- Type: full-time
- Location: Gaborone
- Category: Academia
- Closing Date: 2026-09-09
Key Responsibilities
- contribute the development of and implement university, faculty and school level strategies, policies, plans, and procedures.
- Coordinate aspects of university policy making from time-to-time as required in area of expertise or leadership.
- Use outstanding disciplinary knowledge to inform teaching.
- Provide exemplary evidence of inquiry-based teaching and learning across a range of levels.
- Offer exemplary supervision which guides and supports all students regardless of their social, cultural and linguistic backgrounds to produce rigorous research or sound clinical/ professional practice.
- Demonstrate evidence of critical reflection on practice and how it informs enhancement of 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.
- Analyze assessment processes and student assessment results to inform curriculum practice.
- Cultivate interdisciplinary collaborations, fostering innovation and problem-solving.
- Drive grant proposal development to sustain research momentum.
- Advocate for cross-disciplinary research to tackle societal challenges effectively.
- Conduct and publish high level, transdisciplinary research in field of expertise.
- Serve consistently as external reviewer of other international institutions.
- Demonstrate excellent leadership in policy formulation and Research Institute management within the university.
- Contribute to curriculum development and governmental advisory groups.
- Develop entrepreneurial and economic initiatives benefiting the community.
- Attract funds and grants to the university.
- Undertake any other duties as required by the University assigned by the Head of School of Departmental Chairperson.
Requirements
- A relevant bachelor’s degree, plus a relevant Master’s degree in Psychiatry
- At least nine (9) years of relevant teaching experience at a university or comparable institution, Registered with a Valid Practising Licence (or registrable) with the Botswana Health Professions Council with a specialist status
- A minimum of 24 pieces of research products (e.g. articles, book chapters, peer-reviewed conference proceedings, etc.) published by recognized publishers. Twelve (12) of these must be articles published in refereed/accredited journals indexed in internationally recognized databases. The remaining 12 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 4 articles in refereed/accredited journals, depending on the quality of standing.
- sustained research output: a minimum of 3 peer reviewed publications every four years.
- Sustained research activity: on-going externally supported research (e.g., funded/commissioned);
- paper/poster presentations at international conferences at least once every two years.
- be lead and/or single author in at least one-quarter 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.
- significant 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.
- acknowledged by peers as being of national and international research standing (e.g., peer review 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/symposia (required in at least 3 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 master’s and/or PhD theses internationally. The following will be added advantages: research awards and other forms of research recognition, where appropriate. Sub-specialty qualification in any of the following fields: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry Geriatric Psychiatry, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry, Public and Community Psychiatry.
Salary
The University offers competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with qualifications and experience.
How to Apply
To apply, please visit: ub.bw
Vacancy Circular No: IRC 3494
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 to apply for Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Botswana?
Applicants must hold a medical degree (MBBS or equivalent) registered with the Botswana Medical Council, plus postgraduate training in psychiatry (e.g., MRCPsych, MD/PhD in Psychiatry), and specialist registration. A strong record of peer-reviewed publications, teaching experience at university level, and evidence of leadership in psychiatric service development in low-resource or African settings is expected.
What does a typical day look like for a Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Botswana?
Daily responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and postgraduate medical students, supervising clinical rotations at Princess Marina Hospital or other MoH facilities, conducting research aligned with national mental health priorities, and participating in curriculum development with the Faculty of Medicine. Clinical duties may involve outpatient clinics, multidisciplinary team meetings, and mentoring junior psychiatrists within Botswana’s public health system.
How does workplace culture and professional expectations differ for academics in psychiatry in Botswana compared to other countries?
Collegiality, respect for seniority, and community engagement are highly valued; professors are expected to contribute meaningfully to national mental health policy and outreach in rural or underserved areas. Punctuality, formal communication with senior staff, and integration of culturally appropriate approaches—such as collaboration with traditional healers—are key local expectations.
What career progression opportunities exist after appointment as Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Botswana?
Professors may advance into leadership roles such as Head of Department, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, or Director of the UB-MoH Collaborative Mental Health Programme. There are also pathways to influence national policy through appointments to the Botswana National Mental Health Advisory Committee or WHO country collaborations, especially for those engaged in locally relevant research and capacity building.
What benefits—such as leave, medical aid, and pension—can a Professor in Psychiatry expect from the University of Botswana?
Academic staff are covered under the Public Officers’ Pension Fund and receive full government medical aid through the Botswana National Health Insurance Scheme (BNHIS) rollout. Annual leave is typically 30 working days, plus public holidays and sabbatical leave after six years of continuous service, subject to university academic regulations and budgetary approval.
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 Human Resources portal during advertised vacancies, including certified academic transcripts, proof of Botswana Medical Council registration, and evidence of teaching/research impact in African contexts. Committees prioritise candidates with demonstrable experience in strengthening mental health systems in Botswana or similar LMIC settings, fluency in local languages (e.g., Setswana), and commitment to mentorship and curriculum decolonisation.