Job Summary
- Employer: University of Botswana
- Job Type: Contract
- Location: Gaborone, Botswana
- Category: Engineering
- Salary: The University of Botswana offers a competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Closing Date: 2026-10-29
Key Responsibilities
- contribute to the development of and implement university, faculty and school level strategies, policies, plans, and procedures
- use programme/course design principles and institutional guidelines to ensure effective curriculum development
- 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
- teach undergraduate courses such as Engineering Statics, Mechanics of Materials, Analysis of Structures, Reinforced Concrete Design and graduate courses including Advanced Structural Analysis, Finite Element Analysis and Structural Dynamics
- supervise students’ research/design projects and dissertations/theses at both undergraduate and graduate levels in structural engineering
- lead original research projects, addressing key questions in the discipline
- secure external funding to support research and elevate the university’s reputation
- mentor graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and junior faculty for their scholarly development
- cultivate interdisciplinary collaborations, fostering innovation and problem-solving
- provide leadership and participate in Faculty committees
- engage in consultancies with an impact on both the profession and the community
- assist with organizing faculty/ university symposium and conferences of national importance
- undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the Head of School/ Departmental Chairperson in line with the role
Requirements
- a PhD degree in Civil/Structural Engineering
- a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in teaching, research and governance
- a sustained record of research output of good impacts with at least six (6) publications, four (4) of which must be articles in refereed/accredited journals in internationally recognised indexing databases (ISI Web of Science and Scopus). The remaining two (2) publications could be journal articles, book chapters, peer reviewed conference proceedings etc. published by recognised publishers.
- be the first/sole author in at least half of the required journal publications, which must be spread nationally and/or internationally and across journals
- have regular scholarly presentations at national and/or international conferences
- present evidence of ability to secure high value research grants and funding
- provide evidence of externally funded/supported/resourced sustained research activity as determined by the University
- have significant research impact and quality of research
- have written evidence of recognition/acknowledgement as research or professional standing by international and national peers
- provide evidence of research collaboration with industry or other institutions, and cognate disciplines
- present evidence of successful graduate programme supervision
- provide evidence of social, profession, and community engagements in a university environment
- Have valid membership/registration with a relevant Engineers Registration Board (ERB) or an internationally recognized engineering professional body.
Salary
The University of Botswana offers a competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.
How to Apply
REF Code: IRC 3384 | Vacancy Circular No: IRC 3384
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 Senior Lecturer position in Structural Engineering at the University of Botswana?
A PhD in Structural Engineering or a closely related field is usually essential, along with a professional engineering registration with the Engineers Registration Board of Botswana. Candidates typically need several years of university-level teaching experience and a record of published research in peer-reviewed journals.
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering?
Daily tasks include delivering undergraduate and postgraduate lectures, supervising student research projects, and conducting independent research in structural engineering. You will also participate in curriculum development, assess student work, and engage in departmental meetings and university committees.
How does the fixed-term contract structure affect job security and renewal prospects at the University of Botswana?
Fixed-term contracts are common for academic positions in Botswana and are typically renewed based on performance, funding availability, and institutional needs. Strong teaching evaluations, research output, and administrative contributions significantly improve your chances of contract renewal or conversion to permanent status.
What benefits are typically included in academic contracts at Botswana universities?
Benefits usually include medical aid coverage, pension contributions through the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund or similar schemes, and annual leave entitlements. Some contracts may also include research allowances, conference travel support, and housing or transport subsidies depending on the specific agreement.
What should I emphasize in my application to stand out for this Senior Lecturer role?
Highlight your registered status with the Engineers Registration Board of Botswana, your teaching portfolio, and your research publications relevant to local infrastructure challenges. Demonstrate familiarity with the University of Botswana's strategic goals and any collaborative networks you can bring to strengthen the engineering department.
What is the typical career progression path for senior academics in Botswana's university system?
Progression typically moves from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, then to Associate Professor and full Professor based on research output, teaching excellence, and service contributions. Many academics also advance into administrative roles such as Head of Department, Dean, or Deputy Vice-Chancellor positions.
