ACADEMIC POSITIONS - HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY Durban

Durban University of Technology is actively recruiting for a ACADEMIC POSITIONS - HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY position in Durban. This is an excellent opportunity for professionals in the Education / Teaching sector looking to advance their careers.

• Experience Level: 10 - 15 years • Educational Background: PhD or equivalent • Industry Focus: Education / Teaching • Location Preference: in Durban

Educators in ACADEMIC POSITIONS - HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY positions shape future generations. This role is fundamental to South Africa's educational development and social progress.

Your extensive experience in Education / Teaching qualifies you for leadership positions. This role offers the chance to shape industry practices and organizational direction.

When applying for this ACADEMIC POSITIONS - HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY position, ensure your CV highlights: • Relevant experience matching the 10 - 15 years requirement • Educational qualifications in line with PhD • Specific achievements in the Education / Teaching field • Any certifications or specialized training

The Education / Teaching sector in South Africa continues to show strong demand for skilled professionals. This position represents a valuable opportunity in the current job market.

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Salary: Market Related Job Type: Permanent Sectors: Education Reference: 201619 Job Type: Permanent Sectors: Education Reference: 201619 Sectors: Education Reference: 201619 Reference: 201619

Employer: Durban University of Technology

INSTITUTE OF HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGYSIX PERMANENT ACADEMIC POSITIONS ADVERTISEMENTACADEMIC POSITIONSDUT INSTITUTE OF HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY(2 × Professors / 2 × Associate Professors / 2 × Senior Lecturers) With more than 34 400 students and approximately 1 700 members of staff, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is a leading university of technology proudly located in the beautiful cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, along the warm east coast of South Africa. Founded in April 2002 through the historic merger of the former ML Sultan Technikon and Technikon Natal, DUT has evolved into a modern, metropolitan, multi-campus university with roots tracing back to 1907. Today, DUT is recognised nationally and internationally for excellence in teaching and learning, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and engagement. A proud member of the International Association of Universities, DUT continues to expand its influence across South Africa and the world. DUT's Philosophy of Education, “Our creativity and innovation shapes adaptive graduates who transform society”, reflects the institution's commitment to meaningful societal transformation. Guided by ENVISION2030, rooted in DUT's DNA of being “people-centred and engaged” and “innovative and entrepreneurial”, the University focuses on contributing to the improvement of lives and livelihoods. The University comprises six Faculties—Accounting and Informatics; Applied Sciences; Arts and Design; Engineering and the Built Environment; Health Sciences; and Management Sciences—and includes a Business School and leading research institutes and centres. At DUT, we nurture talent and empower people to make a real difference. If you are passionate about education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and engagement, DUT offers the ideal environment—Creative. Distinctive. Impactful. The Institute is positioned as an African platform for integrated hydrogen systems, linking renewable production, safe storage and conversion, industrial use and an inclusive local hydrogen economy. Its applied and translational mandate encompasses materials and components, system testing under coastal and African conditions, techno-economic and lifecycle evidence, postgraduate skills, and demonstrators co-designed with credible partners and off-takers. The Institute research agendaThe six appointments are deliberately distributed across all three themes:●       Green Hydrogen Production●       Biohydrogen Production●       Hydrogen Storage, Fuel Cells and Distributed Power Appointment note. Candidates must demonstrate depth in the advertised specialisation and an ability to collaborate across engineering, science, economics, policy and engagement boundaries. Position 1Professor: Green Hydrogen ProductionTheme 1: Green Hydrogen ProductionReference Number: 30002757Status of Position: PermanentCampus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUTPosition purposeThe appointee will provide senior intellectual leadership in renewable hydrogen production, with particular strength in electrolysis and integrated operation under African and coastal conditions. Minimum requirements●       A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Chemical Engineering, Electrochemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Energy Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Process Systems Engineering, or a qualification closely related to the theme.●       A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.●       Evidence of substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.●       Substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment recognised standing in the field.●       A strong record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in green hydrogen production.●       Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).●       Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations. Theme-specific expertiseApplicants must demonstrate a coherent record in several of the following areas, with clear depth in at least one: Electrolysis catalysts, membranes, electrodes, coatings, bipolar plates, seals or scarce-material reduction; Dynamic electrolyser operation, degradation, diagnostics, predictive maintenance and renewable intermittency; Water--hydrogen systems using responsible sources, including treatment, wastewater reuse, desalination, recovery and competing-use assessment; Renewable/grid integration, power electronics, controls, balance-of-plant, thermal integration or digital twins; Techno-economic optimisation and lifecycle-carbon assessment for hydrogen production and scale-up. Key responsibilities●       Develop and sustain an internationally visible research programme in Green Hydrogen Production and Renewable-System Integration.●       Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and pursue appropriate intellectual-property, technology-transfer and innovation outputs.●       Supervise Master's and Doctoral candidates to completion and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.●       Contribute to postgraduate curriculum development, specialist short courses, teaching and assessment in relevant academic programmes.●       Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner projects with clear deliverables.●       Build productive collaborations with DUT faculties, national hydrogen institutions, government, industry, communities and international partners.●       Apply safety-by-design, research ethics, responsible data management, lifecycle integrity and applicable codes and standards.●       Contribute to institute planning, laboratories, shared research platforms, seminars, reporting, engagement and administrative responsibilities.●       Translate research into demonstrators, test methods, policy or standards evidence, skills, local-enterprise opportunities and measurable societal impact. Ideal / additional recommendations●       An NRF rating, or equivalent recognised international research standing.●       Professional registration where relevant to the discipline and scope of work.●       Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale systems, research infrastructure, safety governance and industry-facing demonstrators.●       A record of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional or international collaboration.●       Strong communication, organisational, mentoring and stakeholder-engagement capability.  Position 2Professor: Biohydrogen ProductionTheme 2: Biohydrogen ProductionReference Number: 30002758Status of Position: PermanentCampus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUTPosition purposeThe appointee will provide senior intellectual leadership in Direct Biophotolysis, Indirect Biophotolysis, Dark Fermentation, Photo-Fermentation and Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MECs)Minimum requirements●       A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Biotechnology, Fermentation Science, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a qualification closely related to the theme.●       A minimum of ten (10) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.●       Evidence of substantial record of successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students.●       Substantial and sustained period of distinguished academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.●       A strong record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in biohydrogen production.●       Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).●       Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations. Theme-specific expertiseApplicants must demonstrate a coherent record in several of the following areas, with clear depth in at least one: Use of green algae or cyanobacteria to split water molecules directly into hydrogen and oxygen; Indirect hydrogen evolution after a photosynthetic first step; Breakdown of carbohydrate-rich organic matter or food and agricultural waste in the complete absence of light to generate hydrogen; Consumption of organic acids by photosynthetic bacteria in the presence of visible light to produce hydrogen; Formation of hydrogen gas efficiently after microbial oxidation of organic waste at an anode. Key responsibilities●       Develop and sustain an internationally visible research programme in biohydrogen production.●       Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and pursue appropriate intellectual-property, technology-transfer and innovation outputs.●       Supervise Master's and Doctoral candidates to completion and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.●       Contribute to postgraduate curriculum development, specialist short courses, teaching and assessment in relevant academic programmes.●       Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner projects with clear deliverables.●       Build productive collaborations with DUT faculties, national hydrogen institutions, government, industry, communities and international partners.●       Apply safety-by-design, research ethics, responsible data management, lifecycle integrity and applicable codes and standards.●       Contribute to institute planning, laboratories, shared research platforms, seminars, reporting, engagement and administrative responsibilities.●       Translate research into demonstrators, test methods, policy or standards evidence, skills, local-enterprise opportunities and measurable societal impact. Ideal / additional recommendations●       An NRF rating, or equivalent recognised international research standing.●       Professional registration where relevant to the discipline and scope of work.●       Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale systems, research infrastructure, safety governance and industry-facing demonstrators.●       A record of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional or international collaboration.●       Strong communication, organisational, mentoring and stakeholder-engagement capability. -  Position 3Associate Professor: Hydrogen Storage, Fuel Cells and Distributed PowerTheme 3: Hydrogen Storage, Fuel Cells and Distributed PowerReference Number: 30002759Status of Position: PermanentCampus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUTPosition purposeThe appointee will provide senior intellectual leadership in safe hydrogen storage and conversion technologies and their integration into mobility, port, critical-facility and distributed-power systems. Minimum requirements●       A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Electrochemical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Energy Engineering, or a qualification closely related to the theme.●       A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.●       Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students●       A significant period of sustained academic experience of academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.●       A good record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in hydrogen storage, fuel cells and distributed power.●       Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).●       Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations. Theme-specific expertiseApplicants must demonstrate a coherent record in several of the following areas, with clear depth in at least one: Compressed-hydrogen vessels, metal hydrides, sorbents, materials compatibility, cycling, embrittlement and structural integrity; Hydrogen carriers such as ammonia, including conversion, handling, logistics, traceability and comparative assessment; Fuel-cell catalysts, membranes, electrodes, bipolar plates, stacks, thermal/water management, durability and recycling; Fuel-cell/battery/renewable hybrid systems, microgrids, black start, resilience, controls and remote operation; Hydrogen safety, leak sensing, ventilation, ignition prevention, hazard and risk modelling, condition monitoring or emergency response. Key responsibilities●       Develop and sustain an internationally visible research programme in Hydrogen Storage, Fuel Cells and Distributed Power.●       Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and pursue appropriate intellectual-property, technology-transfer and innovation outputs.●       Supervise Master's and Doctoral candidates to completion and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.●       Contribute to postgraduate curriculum development, specialist short courses, teaching and assessment in relevant academic programmes.●       Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner projects with clear deliverables.●       Build productive collaborations with DUT faculties, national hydrogen institutions, government, industry, communities and international partners.●       Apply safety-by-design, research ethics, responsible data management, lifecycle integrity and applicable codes and standards.●       Contribute to institute planning, laboratories, shared research platforms, seminars, reporting, engagement and administrative responsibilities.●       Translate research into demonstrators, test methods, policy or standards evidence, skills, local-enterprise opportunities and measurable societal impact. Ideal / additional recommendations●       An NRF rating, or equivalent recognised international research standing.●       Professional registration where relevant to the discipline and scope of work.●       Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale systems, research infrastructure, safety governance and industry-facing demonstrators.●       A record of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional or international collaboration.●       Strong communication, organisational, mentoring and stakeholder-engagement capability.  Position 4Associate Professor: Electrolyser Systems, Water-Hydrogen Nexus and Digital OptimisationThemes 1 & 3: Green Hydrogen Production and Hydrogen Storage, Fuel Cells and Distributed PowerReference Number: 30002760Status of Position: PermanentCampus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUTPosition purposeThe appointee will build a translational research programme connecting electrolyser performance with water quality, renewable supply, balance-of-plant, controls and digital optimisation. Minimum requirements●       A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Chemical Engineering, Water Engineering, Electrochemical Engineering, Process Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Data/Computational Engineering, or a qualification closely related to the theme.●       A minimum of seven (7) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline, with evidence of research quality and impact.●       Successful supervision to completion of Master's and Doctoral students●       A significant period of sustained academic experience of academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.●       A good record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in electrolyser systems, water-hydrogen nexus and digital optimisation.●       Evidence of success in securing competitive research funding (grants, contracts or commissioned research).●       Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams and building national/international research collaborations. Theme-specific expertiseApplicants must demonstrate a coherent record in several of the following areas, with clear depth in at least one: Experimental evaluation of electrolyser performance under variable renewable profiles and realistic impurities; Water-quality, purification, wastewater-reuse, desalination, recovery or brine-management requirements for electrolysis; Balance-of-plant design, compression, drying, purification, sensors, heat recovery and system optimisation; Digital twins, model-predictive control, uncertainty analysis, techno-economics and lifecycle emissions; Design and operation of modular laboratory or pilot platforms with credible measurement and validation protocols. Key responsibilities●       Develop and sustain an internationally visible research programme in Green Hydrogen Production and Renewable-System Integration.●       Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and pursue appropriate intellectual-property, technology-transfer and innovation outputs.●       Supervise Master's and Doctoral candidates to completion and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.●       Contribute to postgraduate curriculum development, specialist short courses, teaching and assessment in relevant academic programmes.●       Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner projects with clear deliverables.●       Build productive collaborations with DUT faculties, national hydrogen institutions, government, industry, communities and international partners.●       Apply safety-by-design, research ethics, responsible data management, lifecycle integrity and applicable codes and standards.●       Contribute to institute planning, laboratories, shared research platforms, seminars, reporting, engagement and administrative responsibilities.●       Translate research into demonstrators, test methods, policy or standards evidence, skills, local-enterprise opportunities and measurable societal impact. Ideal / additional recommendations●       An NRF rating, or equivalent recognised international research standing.●       Professional registration where relevant to the discipline and scope of work.●       Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale systems, research infrastructure, safety governance and industry-facing demonstrators.●       A record of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional or international collaboration.●       Strong communication, organisational, mentoring and stakeholder-engagement capability. -  Position 5Senior Lecturer: Green Hydrogen ProductionTheme 1: Green Hydrogen ProductionReference Number: 30002761Status of Position: PermanentCampus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUTPosition purposeThe appointee will develop a research programme in renewable hydrogen production, with particular strength in electrolysis and integrated operation under African and coastal conditions. Minimum requirements●       A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering/Science, Electrochemical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Process Systems Engineering, or a qualification closely related to the theme.●       A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.●       Evidence of participation in supervision of Master's students●       An appropriate period of relevant academic experience of academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.●       A record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in electrolyser systems, water-hydrogen nexus and digital optimisation.●       Evidence of participation in grant writing.●       Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations. Theme-specific expertiseApplicants must demonstrate a coherent record in several of the following areas, with clear depth in at least one: Electrolysis catalysts, membranes, electrodes, coatings, bipolar plates, seals or scarce-material reduction; Dynamic electrolyser operation, degradation, diagnostics, predictive maintenance and renewable intermittency; Water--hydrogen systems using responsible sources, including treatment, wastewater reuse, desalination, recovery and competing-use assessment; Renewable/grid integration, power electronics, controls, balance-of-plant, thermal integration or digital twins; Techno-economic optimisation and lifecycle-carbon assessment for hydrogen production and scale-up. Key responsibilities●       Develop and sustain an internationally visible research programme in Green Hydrogen Production and Renewable-System Integration.●       Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and pursue appropriate intellectual-property, technology-transfer and innovation outputs.●       Supervise Master's and Doctoral candidates to completion and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.●       Contribute to postgraduate curriculum development, specialist short courses, teaching and assessment in relevant academic programmes.●       Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner projects with clear deliverables.●       Build productive collaborations with DUT faculties, national hydrogen institutions, government, industry, communities and international partners.●       Apply safety-by-design, research ethics, responsible data management, lifecycle integrity and applicable codes and standards.●       Contribute to institute planning, laboratories, shared research platforms, seminars, reporting, engagement and administrative responsibilities.●       Translate research into demonstrators, test methods, policy or standards evidence, skills, local-enterprise opportunities and measurable societal impact. Ideal / additional recommendations●       An NRF rating, or equivalent recognised international research standing.●       Professional registration where relevant to the discipline and scope of work.●       Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale systems, research infrastructure, safety governance and industry-facing demonstrators.●       A record of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional or international collaboration.●       Strong communication, organisational, mentoring and stakeholder-engagement capability.  Position 6Senior Lecturer: Biohydrogen ProductionTheme 2: Biohydrogen ProductionReference Number: 30002762Status of Position: PermanentCampus: Durban / Pietermaritzburg, as determined by DUTPosition purposeThe appointee will provide senior intellectual leadership in Direct Biophotolysis, Indirect Biophotolysis, Dark Fermentation, Photo-Fermentation and Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MECs). Minimum requirements●       A doctoral degree (NQF 10) in Biotechnology, Fermentation Science, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a qualification closely related to the theme.●       A minimum of three (3) DHET-accredited research outputs/creative outputs over the preceding three years, relevant to the discipline.●       Evidence of participation in supervision of Master's students●       An appropriate period of relevant academic experience of academic experience in research and/or professional experience in higher education or a research environment.●       A record of research and/or academic leadership with demonstrated leadership in biohydrogen production.●       Evidence of participation in grant writing.●       Evidence of participation in multidisciplinary teams and research collaborations. Theme-specific expertiseApplicants must demonstrate a coherent record in several of the following areas, with clear depth in at least one: Use of green algae or cyanobacteria to split water molecules directly into hydrogen and oxygen; Indirect hydrogen evolution after a photosynthetic first step; Breakdown of carbohydrate-rich organic matter or food and agricultural waste in the complete absence of light to generate hydrogen; Consumption of organic acids by photosynthetic bacteria in the presence of visible light to produce hydrogen; Formation of hydrogen gas efficiently after microbial oxidation of organic waste at an anode. Key responsibilities●       Develop and sustain an internationally visible research programme in Biohydrogen Production.●       Publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and pursue appropriate intellectual-property, technology-transfer and innovation outputs.●       Supervise Master's and Doctoral candidates to completion and mentor postdoctoral fellows and emerging researchers.●       Contribute to postgraduate curriculum development, specialist short courses, teaching and assessment in relevant academic programmes.●       Lead or contribute to competitive grant proposals, commissioned research and multi-partner projects with clear deliverables.●       Build productive collaborations with DUT faculties, national hydrogen institutions, government, industry, communities and international partners.●       Apply safety-by-design, research ethics, responsible data management, lifecycle integrity and applicable codes and standards.●       Contribute to institute planning, laboratories, shared research platforms, seminars, reporting, engagement and administrative responsibilities.●       Translate research into demonstrators, test methods, policy or standards evidence, skills, local-enterprise opportunities and measurable societal impact. Ideal / additional recommendations●       An NRF rating, or demonstrable potential to obtain an NRF rating, commensurate with the level of appointment.●       Professional registration where relevant to the discipline and scope of work.●       Experience with laboratory or pilot-scale systems, research infrastructure, safety governance and industry-facing demonstrators.●       A record of interdisciplinary, multi-institutional or international collaboration.●       Strong communication, organisational, mentoring and stakeholder-engagement capability. Application Information applies to all six positions:Application requirements●       A fully completed prescribed DUT application for employment form, obtainable from www.dut.ac.za under Quick Links / Careers.●       A detailed curriculum vitae explicitly demonstrating how the applicant meets the rank and theme-specific requirements.●       A covering letter identifying the exact position, rank and research theme applied for.●       Copies of all relevant academic records and certificates.●       A copy of an identity document or passport, and current contact details for referees.  Salary: Market relatedContact Person: Ms. ZJ. NgcoboApplication email / portal: DUT Careers Portal Please noteWhile DUT strives to ensure equal opportunities, preference will be given to suitable candidates in accordance with the University's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy and aligned to its strategic objectives. The Durban University of Technology reserves the right not to make an appointment. Correspondence will be entered into only with shortlisted candidates. Applicants who do not receive communication from the University should consider their application unsuccessful. Successful candidates will be subject to appropriate background checks, including qualification verification, reference checks and criminal-record screening. Submission of an application constitutes consent to these checks. DUT may require psychometric or other assessments where justified by the position.