Postdoctoral Research Fellowship renewable

The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Division of Public Health. Candidates interested in pursuing an academic or professional career in Public Health with special research interest in Mental Health, Digital Health, and Environmental Health (Planetary Health) are encouraged to apply.

The fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account the applicants' academic achievements, publication outputs and research potential, as well as the relevance of prior experience and expertise. The fellowship is available for two years, with an option to renew for 1 year after the contract ends.

• Conduct innovative research in Public Health.
• Author/co-author of at least three (3) publication outputs per year in the form of DHET-accredited scholarly journal articles or books/chapters in books. Renewal of the fellowship beyond the second year depends on satisfactory performance and submission of an annual progress report.
• Initiate projects and seek funding for them.
• Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the Division of Public Health (negotiable).

• Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University of the Free State.
• Graduated with a PhD degree in a relevant discipline within the last five years.
• Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship.
• Successful applicants are required to spend 80% of her/his postdoctoral period at the UFS.

• R 30 000 additional research expenses fund.

19 October 2026

2 November 2026.

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.