South Africa: Professor – Development Studies posted by Nelson Mandela University

About the Role

The Nelson Mandela University is seeking a Professor in Development Studies to join its esteemed faculty. The successful candidate will be responsible for lecturing at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, conducting and publishing high-quality research within the discipline of Development Studies, supervising students, and undertaking administrative duties.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordination of academic programmes within the Department, including strengthening content related to development finance, entrepreneurship, and applied economic development.
• Supervision of masters’ dissertations, treatises and guided reports, particularly in areas such as development finance, SME development, innovation, and socio-economic transformation.
• Supervision of doctoral theses across development-finance, entrepreneurship ecosystems, public-sector finance, and related development-related themes.
• Teaching on both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with the ability to deliver modules in development finance, managerial/project finance, entrepreneurship, and broader Development Studies.
• Contribution to Departmental research output, especially in accredited journals, through high-quality publications in development finance, venture capital, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic development.
• Efficient academic administration as required by the Head of Department, including curriculum development, programme coordination, and research administration.
• Capacity to work well with other members of the Development Studies team and support collaborative, multidisciplinary research.
• Capacity to contribute to the Department’s expanding themes in fields such as Development Finance; Oceans Economy/Maritime and Marine Research; Socio-Ecological Development; and Socio-Economic Development.
• Provide a mentorship role to emerging scholars within the Department, supporting their research development, academic writing, and career progression.

Core Competencies

• Ability to coordinate academic programmes.
• In-depth understanding of the theory and application of Development Studies, with specialised expertise in development finance, venture capital in emerging markets, entrepreneurship ecosystems, SME development, and socio-economic transformation.
• Ability to facilitate learning at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with a strong track record of teaching finance-related modules such as managerial finance, project finance, financial management, entrepreneurship, and research methodology.
• Proven experience in successfully supervising masters’ dissertations, treatises and guided reports across development-finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and socio-economic development themes.
• Proven experience in successfully supervising doctoral candidates to completion in areas including development finance, innovation, entrepreneurship, and public-sector development.
• Demonstrated contribution to knowledge creation through an extensive and sustained publication record in accredited peer-reviewed journals, scholarly books, and book chapters, particularly in development finance, entrepreneurship, and development management.
• Working knowledge of national development policy frameworks, including the National Development Plan, and the ability to situate research and teaching within broader development agendas.
• A good understanding of research ethics in the South African context.

Requirements

• A relevant PhD in Development Studies or Development Finance.
• A substantive academic background—demonstrated through supervision experience, accredited peer-reviewed publications, external examination work, funded research projects, and research leadership—in at least two of the following areas: Development Finance, Socio-Economic Development, Entrepreneurship and SME Development, Rural and Township Economies, Innovation and Venture Capital, Economics, Socio-Ecological Development, or Marine/Maritime Development.
• More than five years of tertiary teaching/research or industry experience, with a strong track record of lecturing across undergraduate and postgraduate levels in finance-related and development-oriented modules.
• Proven experience in the successful supervision of both master’s and doctoral students to completion.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating academic programmes and leading academic units
• Knowledge and experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods, including statistical analysis, as evidenced by supervision, publications, and research project outputs.
• A strong record of attracting research funding, including NRF-funded projects and externally supported institutional collaborations.

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, 10 April 2026.