Director: Researcher Development — UFS
- Employer: University of the Free State (UFS)
- Department: Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies
- Job ID: 6549
- Location: Bloemfontein Campus, Free State
- Contract: 5-year contract, with possibility of reappointment for a further term
- Post Level: 5
- Occupational Level: Middle Management
- Salary: Available on request
- Closing Date: 28 August 2026
- Assumption of Duty: As soon as possible
Job Overview
The University of the Free State is seeking an experienced Director: Researcher Development to provide strategic leadership in the development and expansion of institutional mentoring and researcher development initiatives.
The successful candidate will support the advancement of early- and mid-career academics, strengthen research capacity, promote academic transformation and contribute to the University’s Vision 130 objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic planning, implementation and continuous improvement of academic mentoring programmes.
- Manage the Future Professoriate and Women’s Mentoring Programme.
- Supervise coordinators responsible for the Emerging Scholar Academic Programme and Staff Doctoral Programmes.
- Develop individual support strategies for early- and mid-career researchers.
- Support researchers in achieving career milestones, including promotion, research funding success and NRF ratings.
- Build and maintain mentoring relationships with programme participants.
- Coordinate mentor appointments and mentoring activities.
- Manage programme budgets, financial administration and grant expenditure.
- Identify funding opportunities and prepare grant proposals and funding applications.
- Develop monitoring and evaluation systems to assess programme effectiveness and institutional impact.
- Analyse programme data and prepare reports for university leadership, governance structures and external funders.
- Collaborate with faculties, deans, heads of department and support divisions to identify researcher development needs.
- Promote programmes through presentations, stakeholder engagement, marketing and communication platforms.
- Ensure effective governance, compliance and continuous quality improvement.
- Perform additional portfolio-related duties assigned by the DVC: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have:
- A PhD or equivalent Doctoral qualification at NQF Level 10 in Human Resources, Organisational Development, Management, Higher Education or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing capacity development, academic development or researcher development programmes.
- Proven project management experience, including budgeting, planning and monitoring multiple initiatives.
- Experience working within a higher education or research environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management abilities.
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis and report writing.
- Computer literacy, including experience with learning management systems and digital collaboration platforms.
Recommended Experience
The following would be advantageous:
- Experience mentoring academics or managing academic mentoring programmes.
- Knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional design.
- Grant writing and external funding experience.
- Strategic leadership of international academic networks.
- Knowledge of UFS institutional transformation, academic staff development and research capacity development.
- Experience supervising professional staff and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
Key Competencies
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Excellent organisational and project management skills
- Leadership and people management
- Financial management and budgeting
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong interpersonal and networking abilities
- Initiative and innovation
- Commitment to continuous improvement
- Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities
- Commitment to academic excellence, transformation and researcher development
Benefits
Subject to applicable conditions, the position offers:
- Pension scheme
- Medical aid
- Group life insurance
- Housing allowance
- Leave and sick leave
- Service bonus
- Study benefits
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website. Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
The application must include:
- A detailed CV
- Copies of qualifications or official proof of qualifications
- SAQA accreditation for foreign qualifications, where applicable
- South African ID or passport for foreign nationals
- Proof of current or most recent employment for external applicants
- All documents required under the inherent job requirements
The system allows a maximum of eight attachments, so applicants are advised to merge documents where necessary.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Apply via the official UFS vacancy website
Enquiries
Tel: 051 401 9329
Email: VermaakM@ufs.ac.za
Additional enquiries: 051 401 9848
Email: TeateaPR@ufs.ac.za
Closing Date: 28 August 2026