As one of South Africa’s leading universities of technology, DUT is committed to excellence, relevance and innovation in higher education. Under our ENVISION2030 strategy, the Research, Innovation & Engagement (RIE) portfolio drives high-impact scholarship, partnerships and policy research that advance both institutional goals and national imperatives.

Role Overview

The Research Scholar in NQF Studies will lead a programme of empirical and policy-focused investigations into the design, governance and impact of South Africa’s National Qualifications Framework. Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation & Engagement, you will:

• Produce rigorous analyses of NQF level descriptors, governance structures and credit-transfer mechanisms;
• Evaluate Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) models and their effectiveness in widening access;
• Assess quality-assurance processes and practitioner experiences in universities and TVET colleges;
• Examine the socio-economic impacts of NQF-registered qualifications on graduate employability, equity and skills development;
• Engage government agencies, quality councils, employers and institutional stakeholders to co-create evidence-based policy recommendations;
• Publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, present at national/international conferences, and serve on NQF-related advisory panels.

 Key Responsibilities

• Research Design & Delivery: Develop mixed-methods projects (qualitative and quantitative) on NQF policy, learning-outcome alignment, RPL and articulation pathways.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Convene focus groups and policy dialogues with DHET, SAQA, CHE, institutional QA units, industry partners and community representatives.
• Knowledge Dissemination: Author academic papers, policy briefs and technical reports; present findings to executive management and external bodies.
• Capacity-Building: Mentor postgraduate (Masters/PhD) students on NQF research methodologies; coordinate workshops and short courses for lecturers and practitioners.
• Grant Acquisition: Lead and co-ordinate external funding proposals (e.g. NRF, DHET, international donor agencies).

 Minimum Requirements

• Doctoral Degree (PhD) in Education Policy, Curriculum Studies, Higher-Ed Management or related fields;
• At least 10 years’ post-doctoral research experience, with demonstrable outputs on NQF or qualification-framework topics;
• A strong publication record in internationally or nationally rated journals on policy design, quality assurance, RPL or related themes;
• Experience in mixed-methods research (survey design, institutional case studies, econometric or qualitative analysis);
• Proven ability to secure and manage research grants and to supervise postgraduate candidates to completion;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proficiency in academic English;
• Project-management skills, including budgeting, reporting and stakeholder coordination.

 Desirable Attributes

• Prior engagement with SAQA, CHE or DHET policy development processes;
• Network of national and international NQF/qualification-framework collaborators;
• Editorial board membership or peer-review service in relevant journals;
• Experience with digital-pedagogy research or innovation in outcome-based curricula.