The University of the Free State (UFS) invites suitably qualified doctoral graduates in Law, Humanities and Social Sciences to apply for the Flourishing Life Postdoctoral Research Fellowship commencing in October 2026.
Fellowship Application Closing Date: 10 September 2026
Fellowship Location: University of the Free State, Bloemfontein Campus, Free State, South Africa
University of the Free State Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026
The University of the Free State’s Flourishing Life Research Theme is inviting applications from suitably qualified early-career researchers for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship.
The fellowship is intended for an outstanding doctoral graduate who will pursue an independent research programme while contributing to the intellectual and research activities of the Flourishing Life Research Theme.
Job ID: 6571
The fellowship is expected to commence in:
October 2026, or as soon thereafter as possible.
Fellowship Overview
Institution: University of the Free State
Research Theme: Flourishing Life Research Theme
Organisational Unit: Research Development
Job ID: 6571
Contract Type: Contract
Occupational Level: Temporary
Initial Duration: 1 year
Renewal: Renewable for a second and third year subject to satisfactory progress
Maximum Period: Up to 3 years
Fellowship Award: R300,000 per annum
Tax Status: Advertised as not taxed
Location: Bloemfontein Campus, Free State
Commencement: October 2026 or as soon thereafter as possible
Closing Date: 10 September 2026
Research Areas
The Flourishing Life Research Theme examines flourishing through relationships, institutions, society and the living world.
Applicants’ proposed research should engage with one or more of the following seven research strands:
- Socioeconomic rights and the jurisprudence of becoming.
- Democratic resilience and the politics of hope.
- Feminism and the body politic.
- Ubuntu and global becoming.
- Planetary becoming and ecological flourishing.
- Flourishing in a technological age.
- Language, translation and the aesthetics of becoming.
Particular consideration will be given to how applicants’ research proposals engage with the Theme’s organising concept of “flourishing denied.”
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have:
- A doctorate in Law, Humanities or Social Sciences.
- A doctoral degree awarded within the past five years, or one that will be conferred before taking up the fellowship.
- A research and publication record appropriate to their career stage.
- A three-to-five-page research proposal clearly demonstrating how the proposed research relates to the Flourishing Life Research Theme.
- The ability to independently manage and complete a self-directed research programme.
In line with national postdoctoral norms, applicants should not previously have held a permanent academic appointment.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to:
- South African citizens.
- Foreign nationals.
International applicants must comply with the applicable South African immigration and visa requirements.
Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment while undertaking the fellowship.
Applicants must also be willing and able to relocate to the University of the Free State for the fellowship period.
Residential Fellowship Requirement
This is a residential fellowship based in:
Bloemfontein, Free State
The successful fellow is required to spend:
60% of the postdoctoral fellowship period at the University of the Free State.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful Postdoctoral Research Fellow will be expected to:
- Conduct independent and cross-disciplinary research within one or more of the Theme’s seven strands.
- Produce scholarly publications.
- Participate in seminars and symposia.
- Contribute to public-facing writing.
- Collaborate with the Theme’s convenor on research, administration and related activities.
- Assist with postgraduate supervision.
- Mentor postgraduate students where required.
- Prepare and present papers at seminars and other research events.
- Participate in relevant Flourishing Life Research Theme activities.
- Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at UFS.
Research Publication Requirements
The successful fellow will be expected to author or co-author at least:
Two publication outputs per year
These outputs must take the form of:
- DHET-accredited scholarly journal articles; or
- Books or chapters in books.
Continuation of the fellowship beyond the initial year will depend on satisfactory research progress.
Fellowship Value
The fellowship provides an annual award of:
R300,000 per annum
The advert states that the fellowship award is:
Not taxed
The fellowship is initially awarded for one year and may be renewed for a second and third year subject to satisfactory performance.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must prepare the following documents:
- Motivation letter.
- Research proposal of three to five pages explaining how the intended research engages with the Flourishing Life Research Theme.
- Full CV.
- List of research publications.
- List of conference papers.
- Details of other scholarly outputs.
- Sample of written work.
- Certified copies of full academic transcripts.
- Certified copy of doctoral degree certificate.
- SAQA Certificate for qualifications obtained outside South Africa.
- Certified copy of South African ID document, or passport for foreign applicants.
- Contact details of two academic referees who have taught or supervised the applicant.
All application documents must be combined into:
One PDF file
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
How to Apply for University of the Free State Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026
Applications must be submitted by email.
Click here to apply for University of the Free State Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026
Email: Flourishing@ufs.ac.za
Use the following email subject line:
FLRN Postdoctoral Fellowship — [Surname]
Replace [Surname] with your own surname.
Applicants must attach the complete application as a single PDF.
Fellowship Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
10 September 2026
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
The fellowship is expected to commence in October 2026, or as soon thereafter as possible.
Selection Process
The fellowship will be awarded competitively based on factors including:
- Academic achievement.
- Publication outputs.
- Research potential.
- Relevant research experience.
- Relevant expertise.
- Quality of the proposed research.
- Alignment of the proposed research with the Flourishing Life Research Theme.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Applicants who are not contacted within six weeks after the closing date may regard their application as unsuccessful.
Employment Equity
The University of the Free State is committed to excellence, diversity and redress in accordance with its Employment Equity Plan.
Preference may be given to candidates from under-represented designated groups, including candidates with disabilities.
The University reserves the right not to fill the fellowship.
Enquiries
For enquiries regarding the fellowship, contact:
Email: Flourishing@ufs.ac.za
Applicants should use the application subject line exactly as indicated when submitting their applications.