Postdoctoral Research Fellowship – Department of Public Law
- University: University of the Free State (UFS)
- Faculty: Faculty of Law
- Department: Department of Public Law
- Job ID: 6599
- HRSmart Advert: 2282
- Location: Bloemfontein Campus, Free State
- Employment Type: Contract / Temporary
- Duration: One year, renewable annually for up to three years
- Closing Date: 7 October 2026
- Commencement: As soon as possible after successful appointment
- Annual Fellowship: R270,000
- Research Expenses: R30,000 additional research fund
Job Overview
The Department of Public Law at the University of the Free State invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in legal theory, environmental law, or public international law.
The fellowship is aimed at an emerging scholar whose research complements the work of Dr Nico Buitendag. The successful candidate will conduct an independent research project under mentorship while participating in research activities within the Department of Public Law and Faculty of Law.
The fellowship offers an opportunity to develop an independent research profile, produce high-quality publications, gain experience in academic collaboration and postgraduate supervision, and participate in an internationally connected research environment.
Research Areas
Applications are particularly encouraged from candidates working in areas such as:
- Legal and social theory, particularly autopoietic systems theory
- Public international law and international legal theory
- Environmental law, climate governance and planetary challenges
- Law, science, technology and knowledge
- Sovereignty, territory, statehood and global or regional governance
- Constitutional theory and human rights
- The relationship between law, politics and society
- Interdisciplinary research involving the social sciences or humanities
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct innovative and theoretically rigorous research in an agreed field.
- Develop and implement an annual research and publication plan.
- Publish at least two peer-reviewed, DHET-accredited research outputs per year.
- Participate in collaborative research and co-authored publications where appropriate.
- Present research at conferences and academic seminars.
- Participate in departmental, faculty and university research activities.
- Contribute to research seminars, workshops and other scholarly events.
- Assist with postgraduate supervision or mentoring where appropriate.
- Contribute to grant applications and collaborative research initiatives.
- Submit required research and progress reports.
- Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at UFS.
Requirements
- Open to South African and foreign nationals.
- A doctoral degree in Law or a closely related discipline.
- The doctoral degree must have been obtained within five years before commencement of the fellowship.
- Strong academic record and demonstrated research potential.
- Potential to publish in reputable peer-reviewed journals.
- An original and feasible research proposal aligned with the identified research areas.
- Strong academic writing and communication skills in English.
- Ability to conduct independent research and contribute to collaborative academic activities.
- Applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship.
- Successful applicants must relocate to UFS for the fellowship.
- This is a residential fellowship, requiring the fellow to spend 80% of the postdoctoral period at UFS.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Motivation letter explaining suitability for the fellowship and alignment of the proposed research with the identified fields.
- Full CV, including publications, conference presentations and other scholarly outputs.
- Representative writing sample, preferably a published article or doctoral thesis chapter.
- Certified academic transcripts.
- Certified doctoral degree certificate or official confirmation that all degree requirements have been completed.
- SAQA certification for qualifications obtained outside South Africa.
- Certified copy of ID or passport for foreign applicants.
- Names and contact details of two academic referees, including the doctoral supervisor where possible.