North-West University invites suitably qualified doctoral graduates to apply for the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026 within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Fellowship Application Closing Date: 07 August 2026
Fellowship Location: North-West University Mahikeng Campus, Mahikeng, North West, South Africa
North-West University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026
The Soil-Plant-Microbe Interactions Group at North-West University is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to participate in advanced agricultural biotechnology research.
The successful fellow will join a project investigating the multi-omics mechanisms of tolerance and climatic niche adaptation in soybeans, with a focus on soil degradation and farming-system challenges.
The research group operates under the leadership of Professor Olubukola Oluranti Babalola at the North-West University Mahikeng Campus.
Fellowship Overview
University: North-West University
Campus: Mahikeng Campus
Faculty: Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Research group: Soil-Plant-Microbe Interactions Group
Listing reference: nwu_004567
Research reference: SPMIG26
Employment type: Fixed-term appointment
Annual stipend: R320 000
Relocation support: Up to R20 000
Location: Mahikeng, North West
Closing date: 07 August 2026
Planned commencement: As soon as possible
Research Project
The successful candidate will contribute to research on:
Multi-Omics Mechanisms of Tolerance and Climatic Niche Adaptation in Soybeans: Addressing Soil Degradation and Farming System Challenges
The project combines agricultural biotechnology, genomics, bioinformatics, data science and machine learning to investigate soybean responses to environmental and agricultural conditions.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must hold a PhD in one of the following fields:
- Molecular Agricultural Biotechnology
- Agricultural Genomics
- Computational Biology
- Multi-Omics
- A closely related research field
The applicant’s doctoral training and publication record should be relevant to the research project.
Bioinformatics Requirements
Applicants must be able to use bioinformatics approaches to analyse agricultural datasets.
Relevant capabilities include:
- Processing biological datasets.
- Analysing genomic and multi-omics information.
- Integrating data from different biological sources.
- Interpreting complex agricultural data.
- Developing reproducible analysis workflows.
- Producing research-ready outputs.
- Supporting scientific conclusions with appropriate evidence.
Machine Learning and Data Science
Candidates must have demonstrable experience applying data science and machine-learning techniques to agricultural or biological datasets.
Applicants should have experience with machine-learning libraries in:
- Python; and/or
- R
Relevant experience may include:
- Data cleaning and preparation.
- Statistical modelling.
- Predictive analysis.
- Feature selection.
- Model development.
- Model evaluation.
- Data visualisation.
- Reproducible computational research.
Programming and Version Control
Applicants must be able to use programming tools relevant to the project.
Experience is required in:
- Python
- R
- Git or another version-control system
- Research data management
- Reproducible computational workflows
Applicants should clearly list programming languages, packages, repositories and relevant research projects in their CVs.
Laboratory and Field Experience
The successful candidate must have practical experience in field or molecular biology techniques related to the relevant omics discipline.
This may include experience in:
- Molecular biology.
- Agricultural biotechnology.
- Genomic analysis.
- Soil sampling.
- Plant sampling.
- Experimental design.
- Laboratory protocols.
- Field trials.
- Biological data collection.
- Omics-related laboratory techniques.
The candidate should be able to combine practical biological research with computational analysis.
Research and Publication Record
Applicants must have a publication record related to the advertised research area.
Particular emphasis will be placed on publications involving:
- Bioinformatics
- Multi-omics
- Machine learning
- Agricultural biotechnology
- Agricultural genomics
- Computational biology
- Plant science
- Soil-plant-microbe interactions
Applicants must include a complete publication list in their CV.
Ability to Work Independently
The successful fellow must be able to work independently within a research laboratory.
This includes the ability to:
- Plan research activities.
- Manage deadlines.
- Conduct analysis without constant supervision.
- Maintain research records.
- Prepare scientific outputs.
- Communicate progress.
- Solve technical problems.
- Collaborate with researchers from different disciplines.
Student Support
The fellow will also be expected to support students within the research environment.
This may involve:
- Assisting with research methods.
- Supporting data analysis.
- Providing guidance on laboratory procedures.
- Helping students use bioinformatics tools.
- Reviewing research outputs.
- Supporting academic development.
- Contributing to the broader activities of the research group.
Interdisciplinary Research Environment
Applicants must be able to work effectively in an interdisciplinary setting.
The project may require collaboration across areas such as:
- Plant science
- Soil science
- Microbiology
- Agricultural biotechnology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
- Statistics
- Data science
- Machine learning
- Environmental research
Strong communication and collaboration skills will therefore be important.
Fellowship Value
The current fellowship stipend is:
R320 000 per annum
The advertisement appears to contain a typing error as “R320 00.00”; the intended amount is presented as R320 000 per year based on the wording supplied.
The remuneration will be applied according to North-West University’s applicable policy guidelines.
Relocation Support
The successful candidate may receive up to:
R20 000 for relocation expenses
Applicants should not assume that every relocation expense will automatically be covered. The exact process and eligible costs should be confirmed with the university.
Fellowship Duration
The initial appointment is fixed term.
If the fellow achieves satisfactory performance, the Principal Investigator may extend the fellowship into a second and subsequent year, for a total possible period of up to five years.
Extensions are not automatic and will depend on:
- Satisfactory performance.
- Project requirements.
- Funding availability.
- University approval.
- Continued research progress.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must prepare the following documents:
- A one-page motivational letter.
- A statement of research interests.
- A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae.
- A complete list of publications.
- Names and contact details of three referees.
The documents must be combined into:
One PDF file
Applications that do not meet the document requirements may be regarded as incomplete.
Motivation Letter Guidance
The one-page motivation letter should explain:
- The applicant’s doctoral research background.
- Relevant expertise in agricultural biotechnology or genomics.
- Experience with multi-omics analysis.
- Machine-learning and data-science skills.
- Experience using Python or R.
- Relevant laboratory and fieldwork experience.
- Publication achievements.
- Interest in soybean research.
- Ability to work in an interdisciplinary research group.
- How the applicant’s research interests align with the project.
Research Interest Statement
The research-interest statement should clearly describe:
- Current areas of research interest.
- Relevant previous research.
- Multi-omics experience.
- Bioinformatics methods used.
- Machine-learning approaches applied.
- Agricultural or plant-science applications.
- Proposed contribution to the soybean project.
- Future research objectives.
Application Submission Instructions
The advertisement contains two different application instructions.
One section instructs applicants to email a single PDF to Professor Olubukola Babalola using the subject line “Ref: SPMIG26.”
A later section states that applications must be submitted online through the official North-West University vacancy website and that applications submitted through another platform will not be considered.
Applicants should prioritise the official online application portal and carefully follow any instructions displayed there. The single PDF should be prepared for uploading through the portal. Applicants may contact the listed professor for clarification if the portal specifically requests additional email submission.
How to Apply for the North-West University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026
Applications must be submitted through the official North-West University vacancy platform.
Click here to apply for the North-West University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026
Use the following details to identify the opportunity:
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Listing reference: nwu_004567
Research reference: SPMIG26
Campus: Mahikeng Campus
Applicants should:
- Open the official NWU vacancy page.
- Create or sign in to an applicant profile.
- Complete all compulsory application sections.
- Prepare the required documents as one PDF.
- Upload the motivation letter and research-interest statement.
- Upload the CV and publication list.
- Include three referees and their contact details.
- Review the application carefully.
- Submit it before 07 August 2026.
Email Details Mentioned in the Advertisement
The advertisement also provides the following research contact:
Email: olubukola.babalola@nwu.ac.za
Where an email submission is specifically requested or confirmed by the university, the subject line should be:
Ref: SPMIG26
Applicants should not rely on email alone unless North-West University confirms that it is accepted, because the vacancy also states that official online submission is compulsory.
Fellowship Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
07 August 2026
Incomplete applications and applications submitted through an unapproved platform may not be considered.
Fellowship Enquiries
Questions about the research content may be directed to:
Professor Olubukola Babalola
Telephone: 018 389 2568
Email: olubukola.babalola@nwu.ac.za
Employment Equity
North-West University applies the principles of the Employment Equity Act and is committed to transformation.
Preference may be given to qualifying candidates from designated groups in line with the university’s Employment Equity Plan.
Selection Process
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further consideration.
Applications that do not comply with the stated requirements may be treated as incomplete.
The university reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Application Outcome
Applicants who are not contacted within two months after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
Important Application Checklist
Before submitting the application, confirm that:
- You hold a relevant PhD.
- Your research background aligns with multi-omics and agricultural biotechnology.
- You have bioinformatics experience.
- You have machine-learning experience in Python or R.
- You can use Git or another version-control system.
- You have relevant laboratory or field experience.
- Your CV includes a publication list.
- Your motivational letter is limited to one page.
- Your research-interest statement is included.
- Three referees and their contact details are provided.
- All required documents are combined into one PDF.
- You use reference SPMIG26 where required.
- You submit through the official NWU portal by 07 August 2026.