Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (1-year contract, renewable up to 3 years)(2 positions) (Job ID 6377)

The University of the Free State (UFS) invites suitably qualified candidates to apply for postdoctoral fellowships in the Department of Childhood Education.

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 one year renewable for up to three years subject to satisfactory performance and available funding.

Duties and responsibilities:
Conduct innovative research in the Early Childhood Development and Learning area.
Participate in a transdisciplinary and community mapping multi-stakeholder approach to early childhood development (ECD) for sustainability
Co-author at least three (3) publication outputs per year in the form of DHETaccredited scholarly journal articles. The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and submitting an annual progress report.
Initiate projects and seek funding for them.
Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and
Participate in relevant activities of the Department of Childhood Education Faculty of Education Centre for Graduate Support and the Directorate for Research Development.

Eligibility requirements:
Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University of the Free State.
Graduated with a 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 applicants are 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

Application:
To apply please email the following documentation by Tuesday 31 March 2026 to Mrs Juanri Maritz and Prof. Okeke

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 records and a certified copy of the doctoral degree certificate.
Certified copy of ID document (or passport copy for foreign applicants).
Contact details of two academic referees who have taught/supervised the candidate.

Closing date:
31 March 2026

Commencement of fellowship:
Friday 1 May 2026.

For inquiries please contact:
Prof. C.I. Okeke (HoD)
Department of Childhood Education
Faculty of Education University of the Free State South Campus
Email: . Tel: 27 (0)

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:

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.