The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in the School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Basic Medical Sciences. Candidates interested in pursuing an academic or professional career in biomedical research, with special research interest in preclinical (in vitro) cancer research and advanced cell-culture modelling, are encouraged to apply.

The fellowship will enable an outstanding doctoral graduate to obtain experience of research and innovation at a higher education institution under the mentorship of established researchers.

The fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account the applicants' academic achievements, publication outputs and research potential, as well as the relevance of prior experience and expertise. The fellowship is available for a period of one year, renewable for up to three years subject to satisfactory performance. 

Duties and responsibilities:

•    Conduct innovative research in the field of New Approach Methods (NAMs), relating to the development and validation of novel advanced three-dimensional (3D) cancer models for pharmaceutical applications. 

•    Conceptualise own research project and secure external funding.

•    Training and co-supervision of postgraduate students.

•    Author/co-author at least three (3) publication outputs per year in the form of DHET–accredited scholarly journal articles or books/chapters in books. The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and the submission of an annual progress report.

•    Participate in interdisciplinary research projects.

•    Register and reside as a post-doctoral research fellow at the UFS and actively participate in research events within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Eligibility requirements:

•    Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University if the Free State (Bloemfontein campus). 

•    Graduated with a PhD degree in the field of Biomedical/Medical-Bio/Pharmaceutical sciences or related field within the last five years.

•    Strong scientific publication record.

•    Experience in conventional (2D) cell culture, advanced (3D) cell culture - (advantageous) techniques.

•    Experience in conducting experiments using microscopy, Western blot workflow and qPCR using the QuantStudio 5 system.   

•    Experience in quantitative data analysis.

•    Ability to work independently as well as in a team. 

•    Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship.

•    Successful applicants must be able to relocate to the UFS for the duration of the fellowship. This is a residential fellowship: the successful applicant is required to spend 80% of their postdoctoral period at the UFS.

Value of the fellowship:

•    R 270 000 annual fellowship. 

•    R 30 000 additional research expenses fund. 

 

To apply, please email the following documentation by 15 December 2025 to Dr Beynon Abrahams at: Abrahamsbr@ufs.ac.za 

•    Motivation letter, including a 1-2 page outline of relevant expertise and experience.

•    Full CV including a list of research publications, conference papers and other scholarly output.

•    Full transcripts of academic record and copy of doctoral degree certificate.

•    Copy of ID document (or copy of passport in the case of foreign applicants).

•    Contact details of two academic referees.

Closing date:

15 December 2025.

Commencement of fellowship: 

2 February 2026.

For enquiries, please contact:

Dr B.R. Abrahams

Office: +27 (0)51 401 7346

E-mail:  AbrahamsBR@ufs.ac.za 

General:

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at: EEA13Report_UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE FINAL SEP 2025.pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.