Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026 at University of the Free State

 Description

• The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Division of Virology under the School of Pathology. Candidates interested in pursuing an academic or professional career in infectious disease research, or translational protein science, with a special focus on viral immunopathogenesis, antibody/protein engineering, and diagnostic development are encouraged to apply. 
• The fellowship will enable an outstanding doctoral graduate to obtain experience in research and innovation at a higher education institution under the mentorship of established researchers and in collaboration with international partners.
• The fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis, considering 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 two years subject to satisfactory performance and available funding.

Duties and responsibilities:

•     Author/co-author at least three (3) publication outputs per year in the form of DHET-accredited scholarly journal articles or book chapters. Renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and the submission of an annual progress report.
•     Initiate projects and actively seek external funding opportunities.
•     Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the Centre for Graduate Support and the Directorate of Research.
•     Contribute to the academic environment through mentorship of postgraduate students and participation in school’s activities.

Eligibility requirements:

•     Graduated with a PhD degree in Virology/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology/Immunology/ Microbiology/Biochemistry or a closely related field within the last five years.
•     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. This is a residential fellowship: the successful applicant is required to spend 80% of their postdoctoral period at the UFS.
•     Open to all for full-time research at the University of the Free State. Preference will be given to South African citizens. 

Value of the fellowship:

•     R 300 000 annual fellowship..

Closing date:

• 14 November 2025.