The University of the Free State (UFS) is offering multiple Postdoctoral Research Fellowships for 2025 across key academic fields including Disability Rights, Curriculum Studies, and Higher Education Institutional Research. These prestigious fellowships are open to South African and international applicants and are designed to boost academic research and innovation.
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Law – Disability Rights Focus
Job ID: 6144
Location: Faculty of Law, Bloemfontein Campus
Closing Date: 23 May 2025
Fellowship Value: R240,000 per annum + R30,000 research fund
Start Date: 01 June 2025 or as soon thereafter
Eligibility & Requirements:
- PhD in Human Rights/Disability Rights (completed within the past 5 years)
- Must relocate to Bloemfontein (80% on-site presence)
- No full-time employment permitted during fellowship
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct interdisciplinary research on disability and transformation
- Publish 3 DHET-accredited outputs per year
- Collaborate on national/international disability research
- Support postgraduate supervision and teaching
How to Apply:
Email required documents to Law@ufs.ac.za.
Include a motivation letter, CV, certified qualifications, SAQA (if needed), ID/passport, and references.
Contact: Dr Gerard KamdemKamga – KamdemKamgaGE@ufs.ac.za
2. Postdoctoral Fellowship in Curriculum Studies & Academic Planning
Job ID: 6135
Location: Directorate for Institutional Research and Academic Planning (DIRAP), Bloemfontein Campus
Closing Date: 31 May 2025
Fellowship Value: R270,000 per annum + R30,000 research fund
Start Date: 01 July 2025
Eligibility & Requirements:
- PhD in Curriculum Studies or related fields (within last 5 years)
- Strong skills in qualitative/quantitative analysis
- No full-time employment during fellowship
- Must relocate to UFS (except for fieldwork)
Key Responsibilities:
- Research curriculum development and alignment
- Publish 3 peer-reviewed articles annually
- Support academic planning and quality initiatives
How to Apply:
Email: MakaL@ufs.ac.za
Subject: DIRAP Postdoctoral Fellowship full-time
Contact: Dr Loquitur Maka
3. Postdoctoral Fellowship in Higher Education Institutional Research
Job ID: 6136
Location: DIRAP, Bloemfontein Campus
Closing Date: 31 May 2025
Fellowship Value: R270,000 per annum + R30,000 research fund
Start Date: 01 July 2025
Eligibility & Requirements:
- PhD in Higher Education Studies, Sociology, Political Science, or related fields (within last 5 years)
- Strong in econometrics/statistics and mixed methods
- Full-time, residential appointment (except during fieldwork)
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead research on Institutional Culture and Academic Planning
- Publish minimum 3 peer-reviewed articles annually
- Engage in SEEP and quality assurance initiatives
How to Apply:
Email: MakaL@ufs.ac.za
Subject: DIRAP Postdoctoral Fellowship full-time
Note: UFS is committed to Employment Equity. Preference will be given to designated groups including persons with disabilities. Applications will only be accepted if all documents are submitted. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within six weeks of the closing date.
For more information, visit the official UFS Vacancies Page