Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (1-year contract, renewable up to 3 years) Department of Animal Science (Job ID 6458)

The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship to join the Department of Animal Science. Candidates interested in pursuing an academic or professional career in Animal Breeding with a focus on molecular genetics (including rumen microbiome dynamics) or quantitative genetics.

The fellowship provides the opportunity for a talented doctoral graduate to obtain experience of research and innovation at a higher education institution under the mentorship of established researchers.

The fellowship will be 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 three years subject to satisfactory performance.

Duties and responsibilities:

Conduct innovative research in the following areas: Estimation of genetic parameters in livestock; Genome Wide Association Studies; Genetic Marker Analysis; Rumen Microbiome Diversity Analysis Animal Production Trials.
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.
Initiate projects and seek funding.
Register and reside as postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS in Bloemfontein and participate in relevant activities of the Centre for Graduate Support and the Directorate of Research Development.

Eligibility criteria

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 in Bloemfontein 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.

Value of the fellowship:
R 270000 annual fellowship.
R30 000 additional research expenses fund

Application:
Applications are to be submitted by email to Ms. Neriche Green ; cc Animal Division Head Prof Errol Cason at by 31 May 2026. Late applications will not be considered.

Comprehensive applications are invited comprising of:

Motivation letter including a 1-2 page outlining the applicants research interest and relevant expertise and experience
Full CV including a list of research publications and other scholarly outputs
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.

Closing date:
31 May 2026

Commencement of fellowship:
01 June 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter

For inquiries please contact:

Ms. Neriche Green

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:

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.