The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is committed to Employment Equity with the intention to promote representivity within the Institution. Preference will be given to applicants from the designated groups in accordance with our Employment Equity Plan.

 

 COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE

 

ARC-KREATE ASSISTANT SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR (1 POST)

(1 YEAR PART-TIME FIXED TERM Appointment)

astrophysics research centre

SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS, STATISTICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

WESTVILLE cAMPUS

 

REF NO.: MSCS03

 

We invite candidates from all areas of Astrophysics and Cosmology to apply for this position in the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC), which is based in part within the School of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science.  Astronomy is a strategic focus area at UKZN as the University seeks to position itself as an international centre of research in this field.  ARC offers a vibrant educational and research environment in Astronomy and has many well established national and international collaborative research links.  In order to further expand its profile in Astronomy, ARC has entered into a partnership with the eThekwini Municipality to establish the KZN centre for Radio astronomy Economic Advancement, Technology and Entrepreneurship (KREATE) is that provides a link between ARC and the eThekwini industry through leveraging radio astronomy innovation to drive technology advancement in big data. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating both in-reach and outreach activities in conjunction with ARC Committees. In-reach activities include coordination of the academic pipeline to attract new students into astronomy, planning school visits, answering current and prospective student queries, supporting the undergraduate recruitment committee, and planning internal centre events. Outreach activities include the creation and maintenance of communications plans, stakeholder communications (including assisting with reporting), planning and coordinating public outreach activities, and assisting in digital outreach activities. Funding for this position is provided through the KREATE Lab.  This position is part-time to allow the successful applicant time to focus on their studies, and is a strictly non-permanent appointment, limited to one year due to the nature of the funding source.

 

Minimum Requirements

 

·         BSc. Honours in a scientific field

·         1-year experience with Scientific Communications

·         1-year supporting students and researchers through university processes

·         Proficiency in Word Processing Programmes and Google Drive

·         General knowledge of astrophysics

 

More information about ARC is available at https://acru.ukzn.ac.za/. Enquiries and details regarding this post may be directed to the Line Manager for this post, Ms. Carolyn Crichton, e-mail: CrichtonC@ukzn.ac.za.  

 

The closing date for receipt of application is 16 April, 2021    

 

Applicants must complete the relevant “support” application form which is available on the Vacancies website at www.ukzn.ac.za.  Completed forms should be submitted to CrichtonC@ukzn.ac.za.  The Advert Reference Number MUST be clearly stated in the subject line.