Specialists: Postdoctoral Fellowships Programme

Eastern Cape, Eastern Cape

The University of Fort Hare is a vibrant, equitable and sustainable African university, committed to teaching and research excellence at the service of its students, scholars and the wider community.

We are inviting applications for the position of Specialist: Postdoctoral Fellowships Programme within the Department of Postgraduate Studies and Postdoctoral Fellowships. The incumbent will be responsible for the coordination and administration of applications for various funding channels for eligible postdoctoral fellows. The Specialist will serve as a primary point of contact for postdoctoral candidates throughout their application process, for appointments to join UFH, funding application processes and monitoring their academic and professional journeys as postdoctoral fellows. The ideal candidate should possess in-depth knowledge of various postdoctoral funding sources.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• An Honours Degree; a Master's Degree will be considered an added advantage.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in administering postdoctoral or research fellows.
• A strong knowledge of institutional and external funding policies and procedures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with attention to detail.

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Application Coordination:

• Overseeing the postdoctoral fellowship funding applications, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
• Maintaining a comprehensive and centralized database to monitor applications, statuses, tracking progress and outcomes.

Funder Liaison:

• Serve as the primary point of contact between the institution and various postdoctoral funding agencies.
• Establish and maintain relationships with alumni, government, industry stakeholders, and international funding bodies to facilitate collaboration and support.

Advisory Role:

• Provide expert advice and guidance to postdoctoral fellows on funding opportunities, application processes, and eligibility criteria.
• Assist postdoctoral fellows in preparing application materials, including project proposals and budgets.
• Ensure all applications comply with institutional policies and funder requirements.

Workshops and Training:

• Organize and conduct workshops to educate potential applicants about funding opportunities and application best practices.
• Promote the Postdoctoral Fellowships Programme through outreach activities at conferences, workshops, and academic events.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Track the success rates of funding applications and compile reports on outcomes and trends.
• Assess the effectiveness of the fellowship program and recommend improvements based on data analysis

COMPETENCIES:

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in data management and reporting tools.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good decision-making skills and integrity in following through on commitments.

Closing Date: 26 October 2025

Interested applicants who meet the criteria are invited to:

Visit the Website for a more comprehensive advert and to apply online.

• Applications must be accompanied by:
  
  a) A recent and comprehensive curriculum vitae
  
  b) A Covering Letter stating how applicants satisfy the requirements of the advertised position/s
  
  c) A completed University of Fort Hare Application Form
  
  d) Copies of the applicant's qualifications. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from SAQA.

• No faxed, emailed or walk-ins (hard copies) will be accepted.

• Applicants are urged to ensure that their applications reach the Human Resources Department before the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Failure to comply with the above directions will result in the application/s being disqualified.

CONTACT DETAILS

Queries can be directed to Ms. S Sigodi on and Correspondence will be conducted with short-listed candidates only.

The University reserves the right NOT to make an appointment. The University of Fort Hare is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Pursuant to complying with the Employment Equity Act No.55 of 1998 as amended, when appointing, preference will be given to applicants from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile."