Associate Professor: Visual Art (Photography)

CORE PURPOSE OF JOB

The Department of Visual Art at Nelson Mandela University seeks an artist whose practice is rooted in the language of photography. The ideal candidate has a practice that complements the current Photography faculty, contributing distinct approaches and concerns. Our priority is for a colleague who expands critical perspectives and conceptual territory, and is fluent in contemporary cultural and aesthetic discourses. The new faculty member will teach courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels, advise MFA students, and serve on graduate committees when requested.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Facilitate the learning processes in the department
• Conduct research and/or contribute creative outputs
• Perform assessments, curriculum development and administration
• Support postgraduate research in the Visual Arts programme
• Develop and maintain national engagement practices

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated interest in contributing to a contemporary interdisciplinary setting in an atmosphere of close faculty-student mentoring.
• A creative practice that expands the department’s critical perspectives and conceptual territory as they relate to discourses on decoloniality and the Southern African context.
• Excellent technical and conceptual expertise in both analogue and digital photography.
• An active and accelerating record of professional engagement, which might include exhibitions, public installations, and print and/or online publications.
• Conversant in contemporary issues of theory and aesthetics, especially as they relate to photography.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities.
• Experience in video work will be an added advantage.

Requirements

• A relevant Doctoral degree OR, depending on the relevant discipline, a Master's degree and, where appropriate, professional registration.
• Master's Degree: Normally at least 4-7 years (i.e. extensive) relevant working experience. Where appropriate, this must include an academic-related profile.
• Doctoral Degree: Normally at least 3-7 years relevant working experience. Where appropriate, this must include an academic-related profile.

DISCLAIMER: Nelson Mandela University is a designated employer committed to pursuing excellence, diversity, inclusion, and redress in achieving its employment equity targets. Preference will be given to suitably qualified (Race and Gender) candidates in accordance with the University's employment equity targets. No applications will be accepted after the closing date Friday, 07 March 2025.