The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice. Candidates interested in pursuing an academic or professional career in higher education, with special research interest in institutional change and institutional culture within higher education, are especially encouraged to apply.
The Office for Institutional Change is situated within the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice and consolidates evidence of institutional culture practices and establish and direct further implementation of best practices with regard to institutional culture. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will be expected to work on these projects and, ideally, will have an interest and expertise in higher education studies or multidisciplinary studies, related disciplines may include educational management, diversity studies, historical studies, political science, public management, sociology or social psychology. The fellowship will enable an outstanding doctoral graduate to obtain experience of research and innovation at a higher education institution under the mentorship of established researchers.
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 a period of one year, renewable for up to three years subject to satisfactory performance.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
ü Open to all South Africans and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University of the Free State (UFS).
ü Graduated with a PhD degree in a relevant discipline within the last five years.
ü Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship.
ü Successful applicants must be able to relocate to the UFS for the duration of the fellowship. This is a residential fellowship: the successful applicant is required to spend 80% of her/his postdoctoral period at the UFS.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO:
ü Conduct innovative research on institutional culture at the UFS.
ü Author/co-author at least four (4) publication outputs per year in the form of DHET-accredited scholarly journal articles or books/chapters in books.
ü Register and reside as postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice.
ü The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and the submission of an annual progress report.
IN ADDITION, THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT MAY BE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FOLLOWING:
ü Co-supervision of postgraduate students
ü Co-writing of funding proposals
ü Presentation of papers at relevant local and international scholarly conferences
ü Presentation at seminars and workshops organised by the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice
VALUE OF THE FELLOWSHIP
ü R 220,000 annual fellowship
ü R 30,000 additional research expenses fund
To apply, please email the following documentation by 2021 to Ms. Rochelle Ferreira, Email: FerreiraR1@ufs.ac.za
ü Motivation letter, including a one to two page outline of planned research outputs in view of relevant expertise and experience.
ü Full CV including a list of research publications, conference papers and other scholarly output.
ü Full transcripts of academic record and copy of doctoral degree certificate.
ü Copy of ID document (or copy of passport in the case of foreign applicants).
ü Contact details of two academic referees who have taught/supervised the candidate.
Please include “Postdoctoral Fellowship DIRAP” in your subject line.
Closing date: 1 March 2021
Commencement of fellowship: As soon as possible.
For enquiries please contact Prof Colin Chasi
Email: chasict@ufs.ac.za