Postdoctoral Fellowship in Higher Education & Human Development

University of the Free State

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Description

Applications are being invited for three full-time two-year Postdoctoral Fellowships under the SARChI Chair in Higher Education and Human Development (HEHD), set to commence in January 2026 and end in December 2027. These fellowships have been designed to support early-career researchers whose doctoral studies have been completed within the last five years (or will be submitted by the end of 2025). Applicants under 40 years of age are encouraged to apply. 

Responsibilities

The selected postdoctoral fellow will be hosted at the University of the Free State, located in Bloemfontein, South Africa. They will be expected to contribute actively to research centered on the transformative role of higher education. The focus will be on advancing human development, promoting social justice, and addressing persistent inequalities. Special attention will be given to challenges and opportunities within the Global South. This fellowship aims to produce impactful, socially relevant academic work.

Key Expectations:

• Conduct high-quality research on higher education and human development.
• Address issues of equity and social justice in academic contexts.
• Engage with scholarly debates focused on the Global South.
• Collaborate with experienced academics and contribute to publications.

Fellowship Benefits:

1. Annual stipend of ZAR 300,000 (non-taxable), inclusive of research costs
2. Additional ZAR 25,000 for presenting research at international conferences
3. Access to a vibrant interdisciplinary research team
4. Opportunity for part-time work (up to 10 hrs/week) upon approval
5. Results to be announced by the end of September 2025 

Qualification

Eligibility Criteria:

• PhD/DPhil (completed in the last 5 years or near completion by the end of 2025)
• Fields: Higher education, youth studies, sociology, politics, development studies, education, philosophy, history
• Proven ability in independent research, communication, and academic writing
• Capacity to collaborate with diverse academic networks and mentor graduate students
• Ability to participate in webinars, conferences, and publish research outputs 

Application Requirements:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Cover Letter (addressing selection criteria)
3. Research Plan (including publication and project outlines)
4. Copy of ID/Passport
5. One academic reference letter

📧 Applications must be submitted via email to:

Prof Melanie Walker – walkermj@ufs.ac.za 

For complete program information, visit: www.ufs.ac.za. Location: Bloemfontein, South Africa.