Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Office of the Vice-Dean: Learning, Teaching, Innovation and Digitalisation in the Faculty of Law. Candidates interested in pursuing an academic or professional career in (research) Law, with special research interests in teaching, learning, innovation and digitalisation are encouraged to apply.

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

The fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis, considering 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 two years subject to satisfactory performance and available funding. 

Duties and responsibilities:

•    Conduct original, innovative and impactful research linked to the Vice-Dean's portfolio. 

•    Generate high-quality, DHET-accredited outputs contributing to national and international debates on teaching, learning, and digitalisation in higher education. The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and the submission of an annual progress report.

•    Participate in research projects and seek funding for them.

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

Eligibility criteria:

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

•    Graduated with an LLD or PhD degree in a relevant discipline within the last five years.

•    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.

To apply, please email the following documentation by 30 November 2025 to Dr. Jacques Matthee at  

•    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 who have taught/supervised the candidate.

Value of the fellowship:

•    R Annual Fellowship.

•    R30 000 Additional Research Expenses.

Commencement of fellowship:

01 February 2026

Closing date:

30 November 2025

Enquiries:

Email: Dr. Jacques Matthee at

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 Plan is available at: UFS EEA13 1 March 2025_28 Feb 2026

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.