Professor/Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education

The Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education invite suitably qualified candidates to join their team.

The Department

The Rhodes University Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education (PECE) comprises staff and students committed to educational and socio-economic redress and transformation within the challenging post-colonial context of South Africa and our continent. Integral to these ideals is our commitment to supporting multilingualism, literacy and numeracy, interdisciplinarity, extensive subject knowledge inclusive of Indigenous and other situated knowledge, creative and innovative classroom pedagogies (such as play-based and experiential learning), and critical assessment practices. We strive to develop competent, creative, and reflexive Foundation Phase teachers who understand and can adapt their teaching for different learning contexts. Our expanding programs in leadership and management, creative arts, mathematics education, multilingualism, STEAM Education, and Education for Sustainable Development lead and contribute to international research programs and attract high-quality researchers from around Africa. These researchers explore enabling teaching and learning processes and practice engaged research, in which they develop scholarly solutions for contextually relevant education challenges and address local and global sustainability education needs. Our postgraduate scholars are supported by a long-standing series of research design courses, doctoral weeks, and research schools.

Main Objectives

All academics are responsible for disseminating knowledge (teaching and learning), creating knowledge (research), community engagement, and professional involvement in their field beyond the university, recognising differences in how these responsibilities are executed across the various departments and Faculties. Academics are also expected to assume administrative, management, and/or leadership duties at the departmental, Faculty, and/or University level.

In addition, a Professor and an Associate Professor are to provide academic leadership in the following areas: teaching and learning, research, professional involvement in the field, and community engagement, and to contribute to the institution's governance. This professor's leadership contribution should be evidenced at the departmental, faculty, and institutional levels.

The Requirements
A PhD in Mathematics Education.

Professor

• At least 6 years of experience in Mathematics Foundation Phase Teacher Education is required.
• Research supervision experience at the Master's and PhD levels (to completion) is required.
• Proven leadership in securing research funding and leading research projects.
• An international profile in Mathematics Education is required.
• A proven track record of appropriate administration, management, and/or leadership roles is required.
• Experience in the South African Foundation Phase Education field will be an advantage.
• Experience teaching in integrated Higher Education curriculum contexts will be an advantage.

Associate Professor

• At least 4 years of experience in Mathematics Foundation Phase Teacher Education is required.
• Research supervision experience at the Master's level (to completion) and some experience supervising at the PhD level is required.
• Proven track record in securing research funding and leading research projects.
• A national and emerging international profile in Mathematics Education is required.
• A proven track record of appropriate administration, management, and/or leadership roles is required.
• Experience in the South African Foundation Phase Education field will be an advantage.
• Experience teaching in integrated Higher Education curriculum contexts will be an advantage.

Senior Lecturer

• At least 2 years of experience in Mathematics Foundation Phase Teacher Education is required
• Research supervision experience at the Master's level (to completion) is required.
• An emerging national profile in Mathematics Education is required.
• Experience in administration, management, and/or leadership roles is required.
• Experience in the South African Foundation Phase Education field will be an advantage
• Experience teaching in integrated Higher Education curriculum contexts will be an advantage.

Application Process

It is essential that prospective candidates read the job profile for further information and ensure that all relevant documentation is submitted.

The following documents are required:

• A comprehensive CV and relevant qualifications which should include the following: -
  • Reasons for leaving your current and previous jobs.
  • Referees who are and/or were your direct line manager, their title, name, designation and contact information which should be at least their contact number and email address.
• A strong and succinct motivation outlining your interest in the post and suitability relative to the job

Please note that no hand-written applications will be considered. Your application must be submitted via our website and online recruitment system. Failure to submit all documentation and respond to all the questions asked appropriately will result in an application being disqualified.

Any questions or enquiries regarding the submission of an application can be submitted to [email protected].

Selection Process (provisional date, subject to change):

• Short-listing meeting scheduled for the 19 October 2026
• The selection process that will be followed for this post will include an assessment and/or presentation and an interview.
• Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the interview date.

Remuneration per annum:

Professor (P):

Basic Pensionable Salary per annum: R1 209 763

Cost to Company per annum (Approximately): R1 546 213

Associate Professor (AP):

Basic Pensionable Salary per annum: R987 607

Cost to Company per annum (Approximately): R1 270 054

Senior Lecturer (SL):

Basic Pensionable Salary per annum: R826 322

Cost to Company per annum (Approximately): R1 069 564

All applications will be treated in strict confidence. This post is advertised as permanent post, but the University may opt to appoint on a fixed-term contract of not less than three-years. The University reserves the right not to proceed with the filling of the post. An application in itself does not entitle the applicant to an interview. Employment checks will be conducted on recommended candidates.

Closing Date: 12 October 2026

This advertisement may be closed before the indicated closing date if a high number of applications are received. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible

If you are not contacted within 30 days from the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Recognising that diversity is important in achieving excellence. Rhodes University strongly encourages South African members of underrepresented designated groups as well as persons with disabilities to apply. Spouses and partners of existing staff members are also encouraged to apply.

Please note all appointments are made in line with the requirements of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, as amended, the Immigration Act 13 of 2022 and Rhodes University's Recruitment and Selection policies.

Our core values and principles are the foundation of our commitment to creating a positive, supportive, and enabling environment. These values guide our decisions, actions, and how we engage with each other as we work to achieve our vision and mission.

These values are:
Diversity; Integrity; Respect; Excellence; Collegiality and Compassion

Underpinning these values is the moral duty of accountability and courage: we acknowledge that we are answerable to each other, our Council and ultimately, the South African society for the decisions we make and the actions we take. We are committed to openness and transparency in our governance, our decision-making and in the execution of our responsibilities and in demonstrating courage in confronting those who violate the values for which we stand.