Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and the National Research Foundation invite suitably qualified doctoral graduates to apply for the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme 2026 within the Department of Public Health.
Fellowship Application Closing Date: 07 August 2026
Fellowship Location: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, Gauteng, South Africa
SMU/NRF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026
The Research and Innovation Directorate at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University is inviting applications for a postdoctoral research opportunity within the School of Health Care Sciences.
The successful candidate will join the Department of Public Health under the NRF SARChI STRIDES@SMU research programme.
The fellowship focuses on sexual and reproductive health, digital health interventions, social epidemiology, infectious-disease prevention, health literacy and implementation research.
Fellowship Programme Overview
University: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Directorate: Research and Innovation
School: School of Health Care Sciences
Department: Public Health
Research programme: NRF SARChI STRIDES@SMU
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Annual fellowship value: R370 000
Tax status: Tax-exempt
Duration: Two years, subject to conditions
Closing date: 07 August 2026
Application method: Email
Research Focus
The successful fellow will conduct research under the STRIDES@SMU programme.
The programme focuses on:
- Sexual and reproductive health.
- Technology-driven health solutions.
- Social epidemiology.
- Infectious-disease prevention.
- Digital-equity engagement.
- Health promotion.
- Health literacy.
- Prevention science.
- Implementation research.
- Digital health interventions across populations and settings.
Applicants should demonstrate how their doctoral training and research interests align with these themes.
Key Responsibilities
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will be expected to:
- Conduct literature reviews.
- Contribute to research-protocol development.
- Collect research data.
- Manage research information.
- Analyse quantitative or qualitative data.
- Prepare research findings for publication.
- Publish articles in peer-reviewed journals.
- Assist with postgraduate student supervision.
- Mentor students involved in relevant research projects.
- Contribute to research on sexual and reproductive health.
- Support digital-health intervention research.
- Participate in infectious-disease prevention and control research.
Postgraduate Supervision and Mentorship
The fellow will assist with supervising and mentoring postgraduate students whose research relates to:
- Sexual and reproductive health.
- Digital health.
- Infectious-disease prevention.
- Infectious-disease control.
- Health promotion.
- Public health.
- Social epidemiology.
- Implementation science.
Applicants should therefore be able to communicate research concepts clearly and work effectively with postgraduate researchers.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must have completed a PhD within the previous five years.
Eligible doctoral fields include:
- Health Informatics
- Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Biostatistics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Public Health
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Statistics
- A relevant health-science discipline
- A relevant social-science discipline
Applicants from related fields may be considered where their expertise strongly aligns with the research programme.
Required Technical Expertise
Applicants must demonstrate strong expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Mobile health applications.
- Website development.
- Digital health innovation.
- Digital transformation in healthcare systems.
The application should clearly describe relevant research projects, technical contributions and practical experience.
Data Analysis Software
Applicants should be proficient in relevant statistical, quantitative or qualitative data-analysis software.
Examples listed in the advertisement include:
- STATA
- SPSS
- R
- SQL
- QRS
- NVivo
- ATLAS.ti
- Other relevant research software
Applicants should state their level of proficiency and explain how they have used these tools in previous research.
Data Management Experience
Applicants must be competent in research data management.
Experience with the following platform is specifically mentioned:
- REDCap
Relevant data-management experience may include:
- Designing data-capture tools.
- Managing research databases.
- Cleaning datasets.
- Protecting confidential information.
- Maintaining data quality.
- Preparing information for statistical analysis.
- Following research ethics and data-governance requirements.
Publication Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate an established publication record.
The CV should include a complete list of:
- Peer-reviewed journal articles.
- Published conference papers.
- Book chapters.
- Research reports.
- Other relevant scholarly outputs.
Applicants should highlight publications that relate directly to public health, digital health, epidemiology, infectious diseases or health technology.
Communication and Presentation Skills
Applicants must have:
- Excellent verbal communication skills.
- Excellent written communication skills.
- Strong academic writing ability.
- Excellent presentation skills.
- The ability to communicate research findings clearly.
- The ability to work with students and research collaborators.
Citizenship and Residency Requirements
Applicants must be:
- South African citizens; or
- Permanent residents of South Africa.
Proof of citizenship or permanent residency must be included with the application.
Fellowship Value
The fellowship provides:
R370 000 per annum
The funding is described as tax-exempt.
The advertisement does not specify whether additional allowances, accommodation, medical aid, transport or relocation expenses are included.
Fellowship Duration
The fellowship may run for:
Two years
Continuation is subject to:
- Submission of a satisfactory annual progress report.
- Availability of funding.
- Continued compliance with fellowship requirements.
- Satisfactory research performance.
The second year should therefore not be regarded as automatic.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit:
- A motivation letter summarising relevant expertise and experience.
- A full Curriculum Vitae.
- A complete list of publications or other scholarly outputs.
- Certified copy of the identity document or passport.
- Certified academic transcripts.
- Certified qualification certificates.
- A one-page summary of research interests.
Certified documents must not be older than six months.
Motivation Letter Guidance
The motivation letter should explain:
- The applicant’s doctoral research.
- Relevant public-health or digital-health experience.
- Expertise in social epidemiology or prevention science.
- Experience with health technology.
- Data-analysis and data-management skills.
- Publication achievements.
- Postgraduate supervision or mentoring experience.
- How the applicant will contribute to STRIDES@SMU.
- Career and research-development goals.
Research Interest Summary
Applicants must submit a one-page research-interest summary.
It should clearly outline:
- Current research interests.
- Previous research contributions.
- Proposed areas of contribution.
- Relevant methodological expertise.
- Interest in sexual and reproductive health.
- Interest in digital-health interventions.
- Plans for publishing research.
- Potential contribution to postgraduate development.
How to Apply for the SMU/NRF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026
Applications must be submitted by email to the Research and Innovation Directorate.
Click here to apply for the SMU/NRF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026
Application email: researchcapacity@smu.ac.za
Attention: Ms Fulufhelo Malamatsho
Applicants should attach all required documents and ensure that the files are clearly labelled and readable.
Fellowship Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
07 August 2026
Late applications will not be considered.
Failure to submit all the required documents or information will result in the application not being considered.
Fellowship Enquiries
Questions about the research position may be directed to:
Email: mathildah.mokgatle@smu.ac.za
The application itself must be sent to researchcapacity@smu.ac.za.
Foreign Qualifications
Applicants with foreign qualifications are responsible for obtaining an evaluation from the South African Qualifications Authority.
Proof of the SAQA evaluation should be submitted where applicable.
Important Application Conditions
Applicants should note that:
- Only complete applications will be considered.
- Certified documents must be no older than six months.
- Late applications will not be accepted.
- The fellowship is subject to satisfactory progress and funding availability.
- The university reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Important Application Checklist
Before sending the application, confirm that:
- You completed your PhD within the previous five years.
- Your doctoral field is relevant to the advertised research.
- You are a South African citizen or permanent resident.
- Your motivation letter is attached.
- Your complete CV is attached.
- Your publication list is included.
- Your research-interest summary is limited to one page.
- Your identity document or passport is certified.
- Your academic transcripts are certified.
- Your qualification certificates are certified.
- Certified documents are not older than six months.
- Foreign qualifications have been evaluated by SAQA.
- Your application is emailed by 07 August 2026.