The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Faculty of Education within the department of Education Management, Policy and Comparative Education. Applicants interested in pursuing an academic career in Education Management and Leadership research are strongly encouraged to apply. The fellowship will enable an outstanding doctoral graduate to obtain experience of research, innovation, and community service at a higher education institution under the mentorship of established researchers.

The fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis, considering the applicants' academic achievements, research outputs and potential, as well as the relevance of his/her 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 and obtain evidence- based empirical data on current developments in Policy Studies in Education.

•    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.

•    Initiate research projects and seek funding for them.

•    Do limited teaching in the Programmes where appropriate.

•    Provide limited supervision and/or co-supervision at Honour’s, master’s and/or Doctoral level where appropriate.

•    Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the Faculty of Education, the School of Postgraduate Studies and the Directorate of Research Development.

Eligibility criteria

•    A PhD on NQF Level 10 with a focus on Policy Studies in Education.

•    Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University of the Free State.

•    The fellowship will terminate once your PhD degree reaches the fifth (5th) year of graduation.

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

•    Successful applicants must be able to relocate to UFS for the duration of the fellowship. 

•    This is a residential fellowship: the successful applicant is required to spend 80% of her/his postdoctoral period at the UFS Qwaqwa Campus

Application: 

To apply, please email the following documentation by 31 May 2026 to tsotetsict@ufs.ac.za 

•    Motivation letter, including a 1- 2 page outline of relevant expertise and experience, and of the research project proposed for the fellowship.

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

•    Certified copies of full transcripts of academic records and of the doctoral degree certificate. 

•    A SAQA Certificate for qualifications obtained outside South Africa.

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

•    A copy of at least two manuscripts produced that have the potential to be converted or submitted for publication in accredited journals.

•    Contact details of two academic referees who have taught/supervised the candidate. 

Assumption of duties:

01 July 2026

Closing date:

31 May 2026 

Value of the fellowship:

•    R 220,000 annual fellowship.

•    R 30,000 additional research expenses fund.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact Prof. Tsotetsi at tsotetsict@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:  ufs-employment-equity-plan_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.