Job Description

The position is funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training under the New Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) and the successful candidate will be subject to the terms and conditions of the programme whilst being a permanent staff member of the University of the Free State. Applicants should be under the age of 40. For more information on the programme, the nGAP Standard Operating Procedure is available on request.
KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Teach and assess undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Provide study leadership at postgraduate level.
• Source external research funding and forge linkage with the industry.
• Participate in community projects such as Farmer's days.
• Recruit postgraduate students.
• Perform general administration duties as applicable at university level.

Inherent requirements:

• A Master's degree on NQF Level 9 in Quantitative Animal Breeding with a minimum final mark of 70%. (Please attach academic record).
• Registered for a doctoral degree on NQF Level 10 in Quantitative Animal Breeding (attach proof) or commitment to register within the first year of the appointment.

Recommendations:

• A PhD degree on NQF Level 10 in Quantitative Animal Breeding.
• Any relevant tertiary teaching, research and experience in the industry as well as national and international contacts.
• Registration at the South African Council for Natural Scientists (attach proof).
• Knowledge of biostatistics, bioinformatics, data science, quantitative genetics, statistical genetics or genomics
• Experience in statistical analysis for complex data using R, SAS, ASREML, WOMBAT or BLUPF90
• Programming skills using R, Fortran or any other relevant language.
• Proven research record of relevant publications in national accredited journals.
• Member of a or registration at a professional body (attach proof).
• Member of a national or international scholarly society or committee.

Competencies
Required competencies:

• Results oriented

- The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
- The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations

• Strategic thinking

- The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
- The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

• Business Acumen

- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
- Proficient in using MS Office.

• Leading

- The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
- The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

• Building coalitions

- The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
- The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.
Assumption of duties:
As soon as possible
Closing date:
18 February 2026
Salary:
The salary is available on request.
Fringe benefits:
(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.
Enquiries:
For enquiries, please feel free to contact me at 051 401 7659 or email at SejanamaneP@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2979 9813 for assistance.
General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at:
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.
Additional Information

Skills Required