Postdoctoral Research Fellowship renewable

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (one year, renewable up to three years) Job

University of the Free State ->
Faculty of Law ->
Department Public Law

Contract

Temporary

Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

7/10/2026

The Department of Public Law at the University of the Free State (UFS), South Africa, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in legal theory, environmental law, or public international law.

• Legal and social theory, especially autopoietic systems theory;
• Public international law and international legal theory;
• Environmental law, climate governance and planetary challenges;
• The relationship between law, science, technology and knowledge;
• Sovereignty, territory, statehood and global or regional governance;
• Constitutional theory, human rights and the relationship between law, politics and society.

Interdisciplinary projects drawing on social sciences or humanities are especially welcome.

The successful candidate will conduct an independent research project under the mentorship of Dr Nico Buitendag while participating in the broader research activities of the Department of Public Law and the Faculty of Law. The fellowship provides an opportunity for an outstanding doctoral graduate to develop an independent research profile, produce high-quality publications, gain experience in academic collaboration and postgraduate supervision, and participate in an active and internationally connected research environment.

The fellowship will be awarded competitively, taking into account applicants’ academic achievements, publication record, research potential and the fit between their proposed project and the identified research areas. It is available for an initial period of one year and is renewable annually for up to three years, subject to satisfactory performance and the submission of annual progress reports.

• Conduct innovative and theoretically rigorous research in an agreed field.
• Develop and implement an annual research and publication plan in consultation with the mentor.
• Publish a minimum of two peer-reviewed, DHET-accredited research outputs per year.
• Work towards collaborative research and co-authored publications where appropriate.
• Present research at national or international conferences and academic seminars.
• Participate actively in departmental, faculty and university research activities.
• Contribute to research seminars, workshops and other scholarly events.
• Assist, where appropriate, with the supervision or mentoring of postgraduate students.
• Contribute to grant applications, conference proposals or other collaborative research initiatives.
• Submit the reports required by the University.
• Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of the Free State.

• Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University of the Free State.
• Hold a doctoral degree in Law or a closely related discipline.
• Have obtained the doctoral degree within the five years preceding the commencement of the fellowship.
• Demonstrate a strong academic record and the potential to publish in reputable peer-reviewed journals.
• Propose an original and feasible research project falling within, or closely related to, the research areas identified above.
• Possess academic writing and communication skills in English.
• Be able to conduct research independently while contributing constructively to collaborative…