The University of the Free State (UFS) invites suitably qualified South African and international doctoral graduates to apply for the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026 in the Department of Public Law.
Fellowship Application Closing Date: 07 October 2026
Fellowship Location: University of the Free State, Bloemfontein Campus, Free State, South Africa
Job ID: 6599
About the UFS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
The Department of Public Law in the Faculty of Law is offering a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for an emerging scholar interested in legal theory, environmental law, public international law, and related research areas.
The successful fellow will undertake an independent research project under the mentorship of Dr Nico Buitendag and participate in research activities within the Department of Public Law and Faculty of Law.
The fellowship is initially awarded for one year and may be renewed annually for up to three years, subject to satisfactory performance and annual progress reports.
Fellowship Value
Successful applicants will receive:
- R270,000 annual fellowship
- R30,000 additional research expenses fund
- Opportunity to develop an independent academic research profile
- Participation in an internationally connected research environment
- Opportunities for academic collaboration, publication and postgraduate supervision
Research Areas
Applications are particularly encouraged from candidates whose proposed research relates to one or more of the following areas:
- Legal and social theory, particularly autopoietic systems theory
- Public international law and international legal theory
- Environmental law, climate governance and planetary challenges
- Relationship between law, science, technology and knowledge
- Sovereignty, territory, statehood and global or regional governance
- Constitutional theory and human rights
- Relationship between law, politics and society
Interdisciplinary research drawing on the social sciences or humanities is also welcomed.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful postdoctoral research fellow will be expected to:
- Conduct innovative and theoretically rigorous research in an agreed field.
- Develop and implement an annual research and publication plan with the mentor.
- Publish at least two peer-reviewed, DHET-accredited research outputs per year.
- Participate in collaborative research and co-authored publications where appropriate.
- Present research at national or international conferences and academic seminars.
- Participate in departmental, faculty and university research activities.
- Contribute to research seminars, workshops and scholarly events.
- Assist with postgraduate supervision or mentoring where appropriate.
- Contribute to grant applications, conference proposals and collaborative research initiatives.
- Submit reports required by the University.
- Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at UFS.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Applications are open to South African and foreign nationals.
- Hold a doctoral degree in Law or a closely related discipline.
- The doctoral degree must have been obtained within the five years preceding the commencement of the fellowship.
- Have a strong academic record and demonstrate potential to publish in reputable peer-reviewed journals.
- Propose an original and feasible research project related to the research areas identified in the fellowship call.
- Possess strong academic writing and communication skills in English.
- Be capable of conducting independent research while contributing to collaborative academic activities.
- Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship.
- Applicants must be willing to relocate to the University of the Free State.
- This is a residential fellowship, and the fellow must spend 80% of the postdoctoral period at UFS.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare the following:
- Motivation letter explaining their suitability for the fellowship and how the proposed research relates to the identified research areas.
- Full curriculum vitae, including publications, conference presentations and other scholarly outputs.
- Representative writing sample, preferably a published article or chapter from the doctoral thesis.
- Certified copies of complete academic transcripts.
- Certified copy of the doctoral degree certificate or official confirmation that all degree requirements have been completed.
- SAQA certification for qualifications obtained outside South Africa.
- Certified copy of South African ID, or passport for foreign applicants.
- Names and contact details of two academic referees, with at least one normally being the applicant’s doctoral supervisor.
Duration and Commencement
The fellowship is offered for an initial period of one year and may be renewed annually for up to three years, depending on satisfactory performance and the submission of annual progress reports.
The successful candidate is expected to commence the fellowship as soon as possible following a successful application.
How to Apply
Applicants must email all the required application documents to Dr Nico Buitendag, Department of Public Law.
Email: BuitendagN@ufs.ac.za
Applicants should ensure that their application is complete and that all required supporting documents are included.
Closing Date: 07 October 2026
Important: The vacancy information also states in the application section that documents should be emailed “by 01 October 2026,” while the advertised closing date is 07 October 2026. Because these dates conflict, applicants should submit as early as possible and confirm the applicable deadline with UFS.
University of the Free State Careers Website
Important Information
Incomplete applications will not be considered. UFS will consider only applicants who meet the inherent requirements of the fellowship.
Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates. Applicants who have not been contacted within one month after the closing date may regard their application as unsuccessful.
The University also reserves the right not to fill the fellowship.