The University of Fort Hare invites suitably qualified researchers to apply for the Computational Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for the 2026–2028 period.
Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Closing Date: 07 August 2026
Postdoctoral Fellowship Location: University of Fort Hare, Eastern Cape, South Africa
University of Fort Hare Computational Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026
The University of Fort Hare is offering a 24-month Postdoctoral Research Fellowship within the Department of Computational Sciences, under the discipline of Pure and Applied Mathematics.
The fellowship forms part of an active research programme focused on the mathematical modelling of infectious diseases using multiscale modelling approaches.
The successful candidate will conduct research under the supervision of Professor Dephney Mathebula and join a multidisciplinary environment developing mathematical and computational models for infectious-disease analysis.
The research will integrate biological processes at different scales, including within-host disease dynamics, population-level transmission and public-health control interventions.
Fellowship Programme Overview
Institution: University of Fort Hare
Department: Computational Sciences
Discipline: Pure and Applied Mathematics
Programme: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026–2028
Vacancy reference: EC000809
Supervisor: Professor Dephney Mathebula
Contract type: Fixed-term fellowship
Duration: 24 months
Annual fellowship value: R300 000 tax-free
Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa
Closing date: 07 August 2026
Application method: Email and online application
Research Focus
The successful postdoctoral fellow will contribute to research in one or more of the following areas:
- Mathematical modelling of infectious diseases
- Multiscale modelling of host-pathogen interactions
- Within-host disease dynamics
- Between-host disease transmission
- Numerical methods
- Scientific computing
- Data-driven infectious-disease modelling
- Optimal control and intervention strategies
- Computational simulations
- Model validation
- Artificial intelligence in epidemiological modelling
- Machine learning in epidemiological modelling
Applicants should demonstrate how their previous research and proposed programme align with these areas.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must hold a PhD in one of the following fields:
- Applied Mathematics
- Mathematical Modelling
- Biomathematics
- Computational Mathematics
- A closely related field
The doctoral degree must have been obtained within the previous five years.
Applicants who have not yet received their formal PhD certificate must provide acceptable proof that the doctorate has been completed.
Publication Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate research productivity through at least three research articles published in DHET-accredited journals.
The applicant’s CV should clearly list:
- Full publication titles
- Authors
- Journal names
- Publication years
- Volume and issue numbers
- Page numbers or article numbers
- Digital Object Identifiers, where available
- Publication status
Copies of recent publications must be included in the application.
Research and Technical Competencies
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Strong mathematical ability
- Advanced analytical skills
- Computational research skills
- Scientific writing ability
- Research publication experience
- Ability to conduct independent research
- Ability to work collaboratively
- Capacity to contribute to a multidisciplinary team
- Experience with mathematical model development
- Experience with numerical simulations
- Ability to analyse and interpret research data
Applicants should include relevant programming languages, software and modelling tools in their CVs.
Preferred Candidates
Preference will be given to:
- South African citizens
- South African permanent residents
- Female candidates
- Researchers whose interests closely align with the project
- Candidates with relevant infectious-disease modelling experience
- Applicants with a strong publication record
- Researchers capable of contributing to postgraduate research development
Preference does not replace the requirement to meet the minimum academic and publication criteria.
Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases
The research programme focuses on developing models that can improve understanding of infectious-disease processes.
Research may examine:
- Disease transmission patterns
- Pathogen behaviour within infected individuals
- Interactions between hosts and pathogens
- Population-level transmission
- The effects of public-health interventions
- Disease-control strategies
- Treatment interventions
- Prevention measures
- Long-term epidemiological trends
- Links between biological and population processes
The successful fellow will be expected to formulate, analyse and evaluate mathematical models addressing relevant infectious-disease challenges.
Multiscale Modelling Approaches
Multiscale modelling connects processes occurring at different biological and epidemiological levels.
The successful candidate may investigate relationships between:
- Cellular or within-host processes
- Individual disease progression
- Host-pathogen interactions
- Population-level transmission
- Community-level interventions
- National public-health strategies
The research should contribute to a deeper understanding of how changes at one scale may affect outcomes at another.
Numerical Simulations and Computational Analysis
The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to perform numerical simulations and computational analyses.
This may involve:
- Designing simulation experiments
- Solving mathematical models numerically
- Testing model assumptions
- Conducting sensitivity analyses
- Estimating model parameters
- Comparing model outputs with observed data
- Evaluating intervention scenarios
- Validating models
- Interpreting computational results
- Preparing visual representations of findings
Applicants should describe relevant computational experience in their motivation letter and CV.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
The fellowship may include applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in epidemiological modelling.
Potential research applications include:
- Disease-pattern identification
- Predictive epidemiological models
- Parameter estimation
- Analysis of complex health datasets
- Forecasting disease transmission
- Model calibration
- Intervention optimisation
- Identifying relationships within health data
Applicants with relevant artificial intelligence, machine-learning or data-science experience should clearly include it in their applications.
Expected Research Outputs
The successful fellow will be expected to:
- Conduct high-quality infectious-disease modelling research.
- Develop multiscale mathematical models.
- Analyse mathematical models.
- Perform numerical simulations.
- Conduct computational analyses.
- Prepare research manuscripts.
- Publish findings in accredited academic journals.
- Present research at national conferences.
- Present research at international conferences.
- Participate in departmental research activities.
- Participate in faculty research activities.
- Support postgraduate research capacity.
Research progress and outputs may be used to assess performance during the fellowship.
Postgraduate Research Development
The successful fellow will assist in strengthening postgraduate research capacity within the Department of Computational Sciences.
This may involve:
- Supporting postgraduate research activities
- Participating in research seminars
- Providing technical guidance
- Contributing to reading groups
- Assisting with modelling workshops
- Collaborating with postgraduate students
- Sharing computational and mathematical expertise
- Supporting the department’s research culture
The exact responsibilities will be determined by the department and fellowship supervisor.
Fellowship Value
The fellowship is valued at:
R300 000 per annum, tax-free
The initial fellowship appointment will run for 24 months, subject to the University of Fort Hare’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Policy.
The advertisement does not specify additional allowances or employment benefits.
Fellowship Duration
The appointment will initially be for:
24 months
Any renewal beyond the initial appointment period will depend on:
- Satisfactory performance
- Achievement of required research outputs
- Compliance with university policies
- Continued research needs
- Availability of funding
An extension is not guaranteed.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit:
- A detailed and updated Curriculum Vitae.
- A full list of publications.
- A motivation letter of two to three pages.
- Certified copies of academic qualifications.
- A copy of the PhD certificate or proof of completion.
- Copies of recent publications.
- Contact details for at least three academic referees.
Applicants should ensure that all documents are clear, complete and properly labelled.
Motivation Letter Requirements
The two-to-three-page motivation letter should explain:
- The applicant’s research background.
- The applicant’s infectious-disease modelling experience.
- Previous mathematical or computational research.
- How the applicant meets the fellowship requirements.
- How the applicant’s research aligns with the project.
- Proposed areas of contribution.
- Relevant publications.
- Research software and technical skills.
- Ability to work independently.
- Experience working in multidisciplinary teams.
- Expected contribution to the department.
The letter should be tailored specifically to the Pure and Applied Mathematics fellowship.
Academic Referees
Applicants must provide the contact details of at least three academic referees.
The referee information should include:
- Full name
- Academic title
- Institution
- Department
- Email address
- Contact number
- Professional relationship with the applicant
Applicants should inform their referees that they may be contacted by the University of Fort Hare.
How to Apply for the University of Fort Hare Computational Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026
Applications must be emailed to Mr Mandilakhe Qelesile, with Ms Babalwa Solani or the University postdoctoral office copied.
Primary application email: MQelesile@ufh.ac.za
Copy applications to: BSolani@ufh.ac.za or postdocs@ufh.ac.za
Applicants must use the following email subject line:
Pure and Applied Mathematics
The email application must include:
- Full CV, including publications
- Two-to-three-page motivation letter
- Proof of completion of the doctorate
- Certified academic qualifications
- Copies of recent publications
- Details of three academic referees
Applicants may also access the official online vacancy page below:
View the official University of Fort Hare fellowship vacancy
Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Closing Date
Applications close on 07 August 2026.
Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Applicants should submit their documents before the deadline and ensure that the email subject line reads Pure and Applied Mathematics.
Fellowship Enquiries
Questions about the fellowship and research programme may be directed to:
Contact person: Professor Dephney Mathebula
Email: DMathebula@ufh.ac.za
Applicants should quote the fellowship discipline and vacancy reference when making enquiries.
Employment Equity and Transformation
The University of Fort Hare is committed to employment equity and institutional transformation.
Preference will be given to suitably qualified South African citizens, particularly women, in line with the University’s policies and strategic objectives.
Important Application Advice
Before submitting an application, confirm that:
- You hold a relevant PhD.
- Your doctorate was completed within the last five years.
- You have at least three articles in DHET-accredited journals.
- Your publication list is included in your CV.
- Copies of recent publications are attached.
- Your motivation letter is between two and three pages.
- Your certified qualifications are attached.
- Your proof of doctoral completion is included.
- Three academic referees are listed.
- The email subject is “Pure and Applied Mathematics”.
- The correct recipients are included.
- Your application is submitted by 07 August 2026.