UKZN Associate Professor and Professor Jobs 2026
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is recruiting for 15 vacancy listings in KwaZulu-Natal, including academic and school leadership roles. The listed closing date is 30 November 2026. Apply through the individual UKZN application link provided for each vacancy.
At a glance
- Employer
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Posts
- 15
- Provinces
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Earliest Closing
- 30 November 2026
- How To Apply
- Apply using the individual UKZN application link in the relevant listing below.
Jump to a post (15)
- UKZN Associate Professor Vacancies 2026 (X2 Posts)
- Professor Vacancies 2026 (X2 Posts) at UKZN
- UKZN Associate Professor in French Vacancy 2026
- UKZN Associate Professor Vacancies 2026 – Apply for X2 Posts
- University of KwaZulu-Natal Professor in Historical Studies Vacancy 2026
- UKZN Professor in Musicology Vacancy 2026
- UKZN Associate Professor in African Languages Vacancies 2026 – Apply for X3 Positions
- UKZN Associate Professor in Kiswahili Vacancy 2026
- University of KwaZulu-Natal Associate Professor Vacancy 2026
- UKZN Associate Professor in Philosophy Vacancy 2026
- UKZN Associate Professor in Drama and Performance Studies Jobs 2026
- University of KwaZulu-Natal Senior Lecturer in Fine Art Jobs 2026
- University of KwaZulu-Natal Associate Professor Vacancies 2026 (X2 Posts)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal Associate Professor Jobs 2026
- University of KwaZulu-Natal Dean and Head of School Jobs 2026
UKZN Associate Professor Vacancies 2026 (X2 Posts) — KwaZulu-Natal
These two English Literary Studies posts combine undergraduate and postgraduate teaching with research, curriculum development and postgraduate supervision. The roles sit in the School of Arts, within the College of Humanities, and include academic leadership in the discipline. The research scope described includes African and South African literature, world literature, translation and other literary approaches. They suit established scholars who want to teach and supervise while contributing to the direction of English Literary Studies.
What you need
Applicants need a PhD in English Literary Studies or a cognate discipline and at least six years of tertiary-level teaching experience.
Professor Vacancies 2026 (X2 Posts) at UKZN — KwaZulu-Natal
The two Professor posts focus on English Literary Studies, with duties spanning undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research, curriculum development and postgraduate supervision. The successful academics will take a leading role in the discipline and contribute to scholarship that engages African contexts and broader debates. Potential research areas include African and South African literatures, translation, postcolonial approaches and book culture. These roles suit senior English Studies academics with substantial teaching experience and an established research profile.
What you need
Applicants need a PhD in English Literary Studies or a cognate discipline and at least nine years of tertiary-level teaching experience in English Studies.
UKZN Associate Professor in French Vacancy 2026 — Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
This French post combines language and literature teaching with research, curriculum contribution and postgraduate supervision at Master’s and PhD levels. It is based mainly at Howard College and may also involve teaching at Pietermaritzburg, within the School of Arts’ French Programme. The work suits a scholar able to teach French as a foreign language and contribute to research and training in French. The excerpt also calls for research grant success and national and international recognition.
What you need
Applicants need a PhD in French language and/or literature, Francophone Studies, or a cognate discipline; mother-tongue fluency in French; proficiency in English; and at least six years of tertiary-level teaching experience in French as a Foreign Language.
UKZN Associate Professor Vacancies 2026 – Apply for X2 Posts — Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
These two Cultural and Heritage Tourism posts sit in the History discipline and combine lectures and module coordination with postgraduate supervision and community engagement. The successful academics will contribute to curriculum development, take on university leadership roles and provide teaching and research leadership in the subject area. The work suits candidates whose background connects tourism with cultural or heritage studies and who can balance teaching with research and engagement. The role reports to the Head of Discipline: History.
What you need
Applicants need a PhD in Cultural and Heritage Tourism, Tourism Management, or a related discipline, and at least six years of relevant experience in teaching, research, or industry.
University of KwaZulu-Natal Professor in Historical Studies Vacancy 2026 — Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
The Professor will lead teaching and research in Historical Studies within UKZN’s History discipline. The work includes coordinating and lecturing undergraduate and postgraduate modules, supervising postgraduate students, contributing to community engagement and academic citizenship, and helping develop the curriculum. The post also carries university leadership responsibilities and reports to the Head of Discipline: History. It suits an experienced historian able to combine teaching, research, supervision and academic leadership.
What you need
Applicants need a PhD in Historical Studies or a related discipline, at least nine years of relevant experience in teaching, research or industry, and a sustained record of independent research publications in quality scientific journals.
UKZN Professor in Musicology Vacancy 2026 — Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
The Professor in Musicology/Ethnomusicology will provide academic leadership, lead research initiatives and shape curriculum in the School of Arts’ Music Programme. The work also includes teaching core and specialised modules, mentoring junior faculty and serving in university leadership roles. The programme spans African music and dance, Western classical music, opera and choral studies, and jazz and popular music. This role suits a senior music scholar prepared to lead research and teaching while supporting colleagues.
What you need
The excerpt specifies a PhD in Historical Studies or a related discipline, at least nine years of relevant experience in teaching, research or the creative industries, and a sustained record of independent research publication in quality scientific journals.
UKZN Associate Professor in African Languages Vacancies 2026 – Apply for X3 Positions — KwaZulu-Natal
These three Associate Professor positions focus on isiZulu teaching and research in the African Languages Discipline, within the College of Humanities’ School of Arts. Duties include coordinating and lecturing undergraduate and postgraduate isiZulu modules, supervising postgraduate students, and contributing to curriculum development. The post also provides leadership in teaching and research across the discipline. It suits an isiZulu scholar with relevant teaching or research experience and a record of academic publication.
What you need
Applicants need a doctoral degree in isiZulu literature, linguistics, or a related discipline and at least six years of relevant experience in teaching, research, or industry.
UKZN Associate Professor in Kiswahili Vacancy 2026 — Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
This post leads teaching and research in Kiswahili within the African Languages Discipline in the School of Arts, College of Humanities. The successful candidate will coordinate and lecture modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervise postgraduate students, and contribute to curriculum development and delivery. The role reports to the Head of the Discipline of African Languages. It suits a Kiswahili scholar with a track record in publication, grant attraction and postgraduate supervision.
What you need
Applicants need a doctoral degree in Kiswahili language and at least six years of relevant experience in teaching, research or industry. The excerpt also specifies sustained research publications and success attracting external research grants.
University of KwaZulu-Natal Associate Professor Vacancy 2026 — Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
The Applied Ethics post combines teaching Ethics across undergraduate and postgraduate courses with research and academic administration. The Associate Professor will supervise postgraduate students, including doctoral candidates, and contribute to leadership in the School of Arts. The role reports to the Head of Discipline: Philosophy. It suits a philosopher or ethicist with a strong publication record and experience supervising postgraduate work, as well as the ability to contribute to research funding and the discipline’s academic life.
What you need
Applicants need a PhD in Ethics, Philosophy or a related discipline and at least six years of relevant experience in teaching, research or industry. The excerpt also specifies published research in Ethics, success attracting external grants and postgraduate supervision experience, including at doctoral level.
UKZN Associate Professor in Philosophy Vacancy 2026 — Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
This Philosophy role covers teaching undergraduate and postgraduate modules, conducting research and supervising postgraduate students. The post also includes administration within the discipline and school, with leadership responsibilities where applicable. It sits in the School of Arts and reports to the Head of Discipline: Philosophy. The opportunity suits a philosopher who can sustain research and grant activity while teaching and supervising at master’s and doctoral levels.
What you need
Applicants need a PhD in Philosophy and at least six years of relevant experience in teaching, research or industry. The excerpt also calls for sustained independent research publication, successful external grant attraction and postgraduate supervision at master’s and doctoral levels.
UKZN Associate Professor in Drama and Performance Studies Jobs 2026 — Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
The Associate Professor will coordinate and teach Drama and Performance Studies modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervise postgraduate students, and contribute to curriculum development. The post combines teaching with practice-based research and academic leadership in the Drama and Performance discipline. Its subject scope includes theatre or performance studies, dance or physical theatre, and applied theatre. It suits a scholar with both theoretical and practical experience in at least one of those areas.
What you need
Applicants need a PhD in Drama and Performance or a related discipline and at least six years of relevant experience in teaching, research or the creative industry. The excerpt also requires theoretical and practical experience in one or more of Theatre or Performance Studies, Dance or Physical Theatre, and Applied Theatre.
University of KwaZulu-Natal Senior Lecturer in Fine Art Jobs 2026 — Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
This Senior Lecturer teaches art theory and creative practice, including drawing and studio work across different media, at the Pietermaritzburg Campus. The role connects theory and art history with studio projects grounded in contemporary art practices in South Africa. Teaching and supervision extend to Honours, Master’s and PhD students, and the post reports to the Head of Discipline: Cultural Studies, Media and Fine Arts. It suits a Fine Art practitioner-scholar with relevant teaching, research or industry experience.
What you need
Applicants need a PhD in Fine Art or a relevant discipline and at least three years of work experience in teaching, lecturing, research or industry in Fine Art or a related field. The excerpt also calls for current and sustained research and/or creative practice output through quality peer-reviewed, exhibited or accredited channels.
University of KwaZulu-Natal Associate Professor Vacancies 2026 (X2 Posts) — KwaZulu-Natal
These two posts focus on Media and Cultural Studies teaching, research and postgraduate supervision, including Honours, Master’s and doctoral research. The Associate Professors will help develop and review curriculum and build an active research programme through publications, funding and conference presentations. The work also includes mentoring junior colleagues, academic leadership, community engagement and discipline administration. It suits established media or cultural studies scholars ready to combine teaching with research development and academic citizenship.
What you need
Applicants need a PhD in Media and Cultural Studies or a relevant discipline and at least six years of relevant experience in teaching, research or industry.
University of KwaZulu-Natal Associate Professor Jobs 2026 — Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
The Composition/Music Technology Associate Professor coordinates and teaches modules in both fields, develops curriculum and leads practice-based research. The role also provides strategic and creative direction for the Music Recording Studio, alongside undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research supervision. It sits in the Music, Drama & Performance discipline and reports to its Head. This post suits a music academic whose work connects composition or music technology with teaching, creative research and studio leadership.
What you need
Applicants need a PhD in Music Technology, Composition or a related area in the Music Discipline and at least six years of relevant experience in teaching, research or the creative industries.
University of KwaZulu-Natal Dean and Head of School Jobs 2026 — Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
The Dean and Head of School leads the School of Commerce and oversees its management, including its Accountancy, Economics, Finance and Management areas. The role sets academic direction across research, teaching and learning, and community engagement, while aligning the School with university and college strategy. The post serves on the College Leadership and Management Team, reports to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of College, and represents Senate and Council mandates. It suits an established academic leader with relevant scholarship.
What you need
Applicants must be a Professor or Associate Professor and hold a PhD or doctoral degree in a discipline relevant to the School. The excerpt also calls for established academic leadership and scholarship.