The University of the Free State invites suitably qualified doctoral graduates to apply for the Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management and Conservation Biology Postdoctoral Research Fellowship commencing in 2027.
Fellowship Application Closing Date: 21 August 2026
Fellowship Location: University of the Free State, Bloemfontein Campus, Free State, South Africa
University of the Free State Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2027
The Department of Animal Science at the University of the Free State is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Fellow interested in wildlife science, wildlife management, conservation biology and sustainable natural-resource management.
The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research programme investigating the ecological, biological, nutritional and conservation factors affecting African wildlife populations.
The fellowship will place particular emphasis on large herbivores, habitat use, wildlife monitoring, rangeland management and evidence-based conservation planning.
Fellowship Overview
University: University of the Free State
Faculty: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Department: Animal Science
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Job ID: 6552
Contract type: Temporary fellowship
Initial duration: One year
Maximum possible duration: Three years
Annual fellowship value: R270 000
Research expenses fund: R30 000
Commencement date: 01 January 2027
Location: Bloemfontein Campus, Free State
Closing date: 21 August 2026
Application method: Email
Research Fields Covered
The fellowship is suited to candidates interested in pursuing academic or professional careers in:
- Wildlife Science
- Wildlife Management
- Conservation Biology
- Rangeland Ecology
- Wildlife Monitoring
- Sustainable Natural Resource Management
- Large Herbivore Ecology
- Habitat Assessment
- Conservation Planning
- Animal Science
- Zoology
- Ecology
Applicants from closely related disciplines may also be considered where their research experience aligns with the programme.
Purpose of the Fellowship
The fellowship is intended to provide an early-career researcher with advanced experience in research, teaching and postgraduate supervision.
The successful fellow will work under the mentorship of established researchers while contributing to recognised wildlife and conservation research programmes.
The fellowship may help the successful candidate develop experience in:
- Independent research.
- Scientific publishing.
- Research-project development.
- University teaching.
- Practical student training.
- Postgraduate supervision.
- Academic conference participation.
- Grant applications.
- Curriculum development.
- Modern wildlife-monitoring technologies.
Research Programme Focus
The research programme focuses on factors that regulate African wildlife populations.
Research themes may include:
- Large herbivore ecology.
- Wildlife population monitoring.
- Habitat utilisation.
- Nutritional ecology.
- Sustainable rangeland management.
- Conservation planning.
- Wildlife-resource management.
- Field-based ecological research.
- Evidence-based management strategies.
- Natural-resource sustainability.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The successful fellow will be expected to:
- Conduct innovative wildlife and conservation research.
- Contribute to studies on wildlife monitoring.
- Conduct habitat assessments.
- Support sustainable rangeland-management research.
- Participate in large herbivore ecology projects.
- Contribute to evidence-based conservation planning.
- Publish scientific research.
- Present research findings at conferences.
- Assist with undergraduate teaching.
- Support practical student training.
- Supervise and mentor postgraduate students.
- Contribute to curriculum and module development.
- Assist with research grant applications.
- Participate in departmental and university research activities.
Use of Modern Research Technologies
The successful candidate will use or contribute to research involving modern wildlife and environmental technologies.
These may include:
- Global Positioning System telemetry.
- Geographic Information Systems.
- Remote sensing.
- Drones.
- Artificial intelligence.
- Wildlife-tracking technologies.
- Spatial-data analysis.
- Habitat-mapping tools.
- Ecological monitoring systems.
Applicants should clearly describe relevant technical experience in their CVs and motivation letters.
Publication Requirements
The successful fellow will be required to publish at least:
Two peer-reviewed scientific papers per year
Applicants must already demonstrate a publication record in recognised peer-reviewed scientific journals.
The selection process will consider:
- Number of publications.
- Quality and relevance of publications.
- Contribution to published research.
- Research independence.
- Alignment with wildlife and conservation themes.
- Potential to maintain a strong publication output.
Conference Participation
The fellow will be expected to present research findings at national and international scientific conferences.
Applicants should include the following in their CVs:
- Conference presentations.
- Posters.
- Invited talks.
- Symposium participation.
- Workshops.
- Other relevant scholarly presentations.
Teaching Responsibilities
The successful candidate will assist with undergraduate teaching and practical training in Wildlife Science and Wildlife Management.
Teaching-related responsibilities may include:
- Assisting with lectures.
- Supporting practical sessions.
- Helping prepare teaching material.
- Supporting field-training activities.
- Assessing student work where authorised.
- Providing academic guidance.
- Contributing to module development.
Applicants must demonstrate previous undergraduate teaching or practical-training experience.
Postgraduate Supervision
The fellow will assist with supervising and mentoring:
- Honours students.
- Master’s students.
- Doctoral students.
Applicants should demonstrate the ability to guide students in:
- Research design.
- Fieldwork.
- Data collection.
- Data analysis.
- Scientific writing.
- Publication preparation.
- Research presentations.
- Ethical research practice.
Curriculum Development
The successful candidate will contribute to curriculum enhancement and module development.
This may include:
- Reviewing existing teaching material.
- Updating wildlife-science content.
- Introducing new research methods.
- Integrating modern technology into teaching.
- Supporting practical module development.
- Aligning teaching with current conservation challenges.
Grant and Research Project Development
The fellow will assist with:
- Research-proposal preparation.
- Grant applications.
- Project planning.
- Research budgets.
- Supporting documentation.
- Collaboration proposals.
- Research partnership development.
Applicants with previous experience preparing grant applications should include this information in their CVs.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must hold a PhD in one of the following fields:
- Wildlife Science
- Wildlife Management
- Conservation Biology
- Ecology
- Zoology
- Rangeland Science
- Animal Science
- A closely related discipline
The doctoral degree must have been obtained within the five years preceding the application.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have a record of publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- Have experience in wildlife research.
- Have experience conducting field-based ecological studies.
- Have undergraduate teaching experience.
- Have practical-training experience.
- Be able to contribute to curriculum development.
- Be able to support postgraduate supervision.
- Have excellent scientific-writing skills.
- Have strong communication skills.
- Hold a valid driver’s licence.
- Be willing to relocate to Bloemfontein.
- Be available for full-time research.
- Participate fully in departmental activities.
Nationality Requirements
The fellowship is open to:
- South African citizens.
- Foreign nationals.
All successful applicants must be available to conduct full-time research at the University of the Free State.
Employment Restrictions
Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship period.
The successful fellow must register and reside as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of the Free State.
Valid Driver’s Licence
Applicants must hold a valid driver’s licence and attach a copy to the application.
A driver’s licence may be important because the fellowship involves field-based wildlife and ecological research.
Fellowship Duration
The initial fellowship period is:
One year
The fellowship may be renewed annually for a total period of up to:
Three years
Renewal will depend on:
- Satisfactory performance.
- Submission of annual progress reports.
- Research productivity.
- Publication output.
- Continued programme requirements.
- University approval.
- Availability of funding.
Renewal is not automatic.
Fellowship Value
The fellowship provides:
R270 000 per year
An additional amount of:
R30 000
will be available for research expenses.
The advertisement does not specify whether the fellowship includes accommodation, medical aid, transport or relocation funding.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit:
- A motivation letter.
- A full Curriculum Vitae.
- A complete list of publications.
- A list of conference presentations.
- Details of other scholarly outputs.
- Full academic transcripts.
- A copy of the doctoral degree certificate.
- A copy of the identity document or passport.
- A copy of a valid driver’s licence.
- Names and contact details of three academic referees.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Motivation Letter Requirements
The motivation letter should explain:
- Relevant wildlife research experience.
- Fieldwork experience.
- Teaching experience.
- Postgraduate supervision experience.
- Publication record.
- Experience using modern research technologies.
- Suitability for the fellowship.
- Proposed contribution to the research programme.
- Interest in African wildlife conservation.
- Future academic or professional goals.
How to Apply for the University of the Free State Wildlife Science Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027
Applications must be submitted by email to Professor Francois Deacon.
Application email: deaconf@ufs.ac.za
Attention: Professor Francois Deacon
Applicants should use a clear subject line such as:
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship – Wildlife Science – Job ID 6552
All required documents must be attached before the application is sent.
Fellowship Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
21 August 2026
Late applications will not be considered.
The fellowship is expected to commence on:
01 January 2027
Selection Process
The fellowship will be awarded competitively.
Selection will consider:
- Academic achievements.
- Research experience.
- Publication record.
- Teaching experience.
- Supervisory experience.
- Research potential.
- Wildlife fieldwork experience.
- Technical skills.
- Suitability for the multidisciplinary programme.
Only candidates who meet all the inherent requirements will be considered.
Employment Equity
The University of the Free State is committed to excellence, diversity and employment equity.
Preference may be given to suitably qualified candidates from under-represented designated groups, including persons with disabilities, in accordance with the university’s Employment Equity Plan.
Application Outcome
Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates.
Applicants who have not been contacted within six weeks after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
The University of the Free State reserves the right not to award the fellowship.
Important Application Checklist
Before submitting the application, confirm that:
- You hold a relevant PhD.
- Your doctoral degree was obtained within the past five years.
- You have a peer-reviewed publication record.
- You have wildlife field-research experience.
- You have undergraduate teaching experience.
- You can support postgraduate supervision.
- You hold a valid driver’s licence.
- Your motivation letter is attached.
- Your CV includes publications and conference presentations.
- Your full academic transcripts are attached.
- Your doctoral certificate is attached.
- Your identity document or passport is attached.
- Three academic referees are listed.
- You are willing to relocate to Bloemfontein.
- Your application is emailed by 21 August 2026.