Postdoctoral Research Fellowship2025 (Job ID:6234) – (1924)

Job Description

The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in the School of Pathology, Division of Virology. 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct innovative research in the following areas: protein design and expression, development and implementation of immunological and cell-based assays, experimental work in BSL-2 or BSL-3 environments, analysis of clinical and experimental data in infectious disease research, and in translational protein science and diagnostics.
• 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

• Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University of the Free State.
• Graduated with a PhD degree in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology/Immunology/ Virology/Microbiology 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 spend80% of her/his postdoctoral period at the UFS.

Value of the Fellowship

• R300000 annual fellowship.

How to Apply

To apply, please email the following documentation by15 September2025 to Dr. Nigel Makoah, email: makoahna@ufs.ac.za.
• Motivation letter, including a1-2 page outline of relevant expertise and experience.
• Full CV including a list of research publications, conference papers and other scholarly output.
• 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 referees who have taught/supervised the candidate.