The University of Fort Hare (UFH) invites suitably qualified doctoral graduates and researchers to apply for five Postdoctoral Research Fellowship opportunities for the 2026–2028 period in Psychology, Social Work and Criminology, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences, Agronomy, Public and Constitutional Law, and Chemical and Earth Sciences.
Fellowship Application Closing Date: 03 September 2026
Fellowship Location: University of Fort Hare, Eastern Cape, South Africa
University of Fort Hare Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 2026
The University of Fort Hare’s Department of Postgraduate Studies and Postdoctoral Fellowships has advertised several 24-month Postdoctoral Research Fellowship opportunities for the 2026–2028 period.
The fellowships are hosted by different academic departments and cover research areas ranging from artificial intelligence and child protection to molecular ecology, crop science, law, GIS and environmental management.
Available Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
| Fellowship | Reference | Posts | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, Social Work & Criminology | EC000812 | 1 | 24 months |
| Biotechnology & Biological Sciences | EC000813 | 1 | 24 months |
| Agronomy | EC000814 | 1 | 24 months |
| Public & Constitutional Law | EC000815 | 1 | 24 months |
| Chemical & Earth Sciences | EC000816 | 1 | 24 months |
Total: 5 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship opportunities
Psychology, Social Work & Criminology Postdoctoral Fellowship
Reference: EC000812
Research Programme: Digital Innovation in Child Protection Research Programme
Supervisor: Prof Ulene Schiller
Primary Location: University of Fort Hare, East London Campus
Duration: 24 months
The fellow will contribute to research associated with the Integrated Child Protection Management Application (ICPMA), a digital platform aimed at improving statutory child protection practice.
Research areas include:
- Digital transformation in child protection.
- Artificial intelligence for child protection.
- Implementation science and digital adoption.
- Professional practice and workforce wellbeing.
- Child outcomes and system performance.
Preferred applicants should hold a doctoral degree completed within the last five years in fields such as:
- Social Work.
- Psychology.
- Information Systems.
- Computer Science.
- Artificial Intelligence.
- A related discipline.
Applicants awaiting graduation must submit an official university letter confirming that all doctoral requirements have been completed.
Candidates should also demonstrate a strong publication record, research-methods experience, academic writing ability and competence in statistical and/or qualitative data-analysis software.
How to Apply for Psychology, Social Work & Criminology Fellowship
Applicants must email their application to:
and copy:
Use the subject line:
Digital Innovation in Child Protection
Applicants must submit a motivation letter, comprehensive CV, certified doctoral certificate and academic transcripts, certified ID or passport and contact details for two academic referees.
For research enquiries, contact Prof Ulene Schiller at uschiller@ufh.ac.za.
Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship
Reference: EC000813
Research Area: eDNA Metabarcoding, Conservation Genetics and Molecular Ecology
Location: Alice, Eastern Cape
Duration: 24 months
The successful fellow will conduct research using eDNA metabarcoding methods to investigate biodiversity, targeted species, animal diets, gut microbiomes and parasite loads.
Applicants should preferably hold a doctorate completed within the last five years in:
- Zoology.
- Genetics.
- A closely related field.
Candidates should have a strong background in Conservation Genetics or Molecular Ecology and experience with laboratory techniques such as:
- DNA extraction.
- DNA amplification.
- DNA sequencing.
- High-throughput sequencing.
Experience with Oxford Nanopore sequencing and eDNA metabarcoding will be advantageous.
Applicants should also have a strong understanding of R and working knowledge of Linux systems.
How to Apply for Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Fellowship
Email applications to:
and copy:
Use the subject line:
Molecular Ecology
Required documents include a motivation letter, full CV with publications, academic records, doctoral degree certificate, relevant certificates, ID or passport and contact details for two academic referees.
For project enquiries, contact Prof Craig Tambling at ctambling@ufh.ac.za.
Agronomy Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Reference: EC000814
Research Project: Advancing Sustainable and Climate-Smart Crop Protection through the Development of Kleinia longiflora-Based Biopesticides
Duration: 24 months
The Department of Agronomy is seeking a researcher to contribute to the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly crop protection approaches supporting climate-smart agriculture and food security.
Applicants should preferably hold a doctorate completed within the last five years in:
- Agronomy.
- Crop Science.
- Plant Production.
- Plant Protection.
Candidates must demonstrate research productivity through at least three research articles in DHET-accredited journals.
Applicants should also be proficient in statistical software such as:
- GenStat.
- R.
- SAS.
- SPSS.
- Statistica.
How to Apply for Agronomy Postdoctoral Fellowship
Email applications to:
and copy:
Use the subject line:
Crop Science
Applicants should submit a 1–2 page motivation, full CV with publications, academic transcript, doctoral degree certificate and relevant certificates, ID or passport and contact details for two academic referees.
Click here to apply online for the University of Fort Hare Agronomy Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026
For research enquiries, contact Assoc. Prof. Kagiso Shadung at kshadung@ufh.ac.za.
Public & Constitutional Law Postdoctoral Fellowship
Reference: EC000815
Location: East London Campus
Duration: 24 months
Commencement: As soon as possible
Fellowship Value: R300,000 per annum
The Faculty of Law is offering one full-time postdoctoral position in the Department of Public and Constitutional Law.
Applicants should preferably hold an LLD, PhD or SJD completed within the last five years in an area such as:
- Public International Law.
- International Human Rights Law.
- International Child Rights.
- Law and Society.
- International Space Law.
- A related field.
Candidates must have an excellent academic record and demonstrate the ability to publish in recognised and accredited journals.
The successful candidate will conduct research, publish peer-reviewed academic work and present research at local and international conferences.
How to Apply for Public & Constitutional Law Fellowship
Applicants must submit a two-page proposal outlining their proposed postdoctoral research, together with an updated CV and supporting documents.
Email applications to:
Copy:
Use the subject line:
Public and Constitutional Law
For fellowship enquiries, contact Dr N Ndlovu at nndhlovu@ufh.ac.za.
Chemical & Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship
Reference: EC000816
Research Area: Community-Based Soil Resource Management and Soil Rehabilitation
Duration: 24 months
Annual Stipend: R300,000, paid quarterly in four equal instalments
The Geography and Environmental Science discipline is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to conduct research into soil resource management and rehabilitation.
The project will use a mixed-methods approach involving satellite imagery, interviews, focus groups and questionnaires to assess and map erosion across the Tyume catchment.
Applicants must have a doctorate completed within the last five years in:
- Geomorphology.
- Environmental Geomorphology.
- Environmental Science or Environmental Studies.
- Geographic Information Systems / Remote Sensing.
- Natural Resource Management.
- A related field.
Applicants should demonstrate competence in:
- SPSS.
- Statistical analysis.
- Data management.
- Quantitative and qualitative research.
- Field research.
- Academic writing.
- Geographic Information Systems.
- Remote Sensing.
How to Apply for Chemical & Earth Sciences Fellowship
Email applications to:
and copy:
Use the subject line:
Geography and Environment
Applicants should submit a motivation letter of no more than two pages, full CV with publications, certified doctoral degree certificate and relevant certificates, certified ID or passport and contact details for two academic referees.
For project enquiries, contact Dr HB Magagula at hmagagula@ufh.ac.za.
General Postdoctoral Fellowship Conditions
Depending on the specific fellowship, successful candidates must meet the applicable University of Fort Hare Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Policy requirements.
The supplied adverts state that successful fellows may not be employed by the University of Fort Hare, including through Time on Task appointments, while holding the fellowship. They may also not hold employment with another institution or organisation during the fellowship.
Candidates of different nationalities may apply, subject to South African immigration and visa requirements where applicable.
Several of the fellowships state that preference will be given to South African candidates, particularly women or candidates from designated groups.
Research Output Requirements
The advertised fellowships generally require strong research productivity.
For many of the positions, fellows are expected during the first year to submit research papers equivalent to approximately:
Two DHET-accredited research output units
For continuation into a second year, fellows are generally expected to have published, or have accepted/in-press, research outputs equivalent to the requirements specified in the relevant fellowship advert.
Renewal remains subject to satisfactory research progress and the University’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Policy.
Fellowship Application Closing Date
Applications for all five advertised Postdoctoral Research Fellowships close on:
03 September 2026
Applicants should submit their applications and all required supporting documentation before the closing date.
Important Application Notes
- Five Postdoctoral Research Fellowship opportunities are available.
- The fellowships are generally offered for a 24-month period.
- Doctoral qualification requirements differ according to the research field.
- Some advertisements allow candidates awaiting graduation to apply if they provide official confirmation that all doctoral requirements have been completed.
- Applicants must use the correct email subject line for the fellowship they are applying for.
- Supporting-document requirements differ slightly between the five posts.
- The Public and Constitutional Law fellowship specifies a value of R300,000 per annum.
- The Chemical and Earth Sciences fellowship specifies an annual stipend of R300,000, paid quarterly.
- A stipend amount was not specified in the supplied information for the other three fellowships.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- The University reserves the right not to make an appointment.
- Applications close on 03 September 2026.