Job Description

Job Title
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Curriculum Studies and Academic Planning (Job ID: 6135)
Organizational Unit
University of the Free State -> Vice-Rector: Academic -> Directorate for Institutional Research and Academic Planning
Contract Type
Contract
Occupational Level
Junior Management
Location
Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date
31/5/2025
Description

The Directorate for Institutional Research and Academic Planning (DIRAP) at the University of the Free State invites applications for a three-year, full-time postdoctoral fellowship, renewable annually based on satisfactory progress.

This opportunity is ideal for an early-career researcher with a strong academic background in curriculum studies who is passionate about the future of academic planning and quality management in higher education. The fellowship will focus on key research areas such as curriculum innovation and development, programme review and quality assurance, and curriculum alignment with national and institutional goals.

Applicants should hold a PhD (awarded within the last five years) in curriculum studies or a related discipline, including pedagogy/subject didactics, and must demonstrate experience or interest in academic planning and quality assurance processes.

Duties and responsibilities:

Conduct curriculum-focused institutional research. Publish a minimum of three peer-reviewed articles annually. Actively contribute to academic planning and quality enhancement activities at the institution.

Eligibility requirements:

Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University of the Free State. Graduated with a relevant PhD degree (awarded within the last 5 years). Successful candidates must remember that the fellowship will terminate once your PhD degree reaches the fifth (5th) year of graduation. Have vital qualitative and quantitative analysis skills. Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship. Successful applicants must be able to relocate to the UFS for the duration of the fellowship (except during fieldwork).

Value of the fellowship:

R 270,000 annual fellowship. R 30,000 additional research expenses fund.

Competencies

Application:

To apply, please email the following documentation to:

Dr. Loquitur Maka, Email: MakaL@ufs.ac.z

Subject line:

DIRAP Postdoctoral Fellowship full-time.

Required Documents

Motivational letter detailing postdoctoral research agenda including a 1-2-page outline of relevant expertise and experience

. Full CV including a list of research publications. Full transcripts of academic record and copy of doctoral degree certificate. Copy of ID document (or copy of passport in the case of foreign applicants). Contact details of two academic references (Including one from PhD supervisor).

Closing date:

31 May 2025.

Commencement of fellowship:

01 July 2025.


For enquiries, please contact:

Dr. Loquitur Maka: Email: MakaL@ufs.ac.za

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 Policy is available at : EEA13_EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).pdf

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.


How to apply to this job

To apply, please email the following documentation to:

Dr. Loquitur Maka, Email: MakaL@ufs.ac.za

Subject line:

DIRAP Postdoctoral Fellowship full-time.