Job Description

Job Title
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (1-year contract, renewable up to 3 years) (Job ID: 6054)
Organizational Unit
University of the Free State -> Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences -> Department Sustainable Food Systems and Development
Contract Type
Contract
Occupational Level
Temporary
Location
Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date
31/3/2025
Description

The University of the Free State (UFS), Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) and the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development at the UFS. Candidates who hold a PhD in Food Science or related fields (Food Technology, Food Physics, Food Engineering) and who are interested in research related to the transformation of food systems through smart agro-processing are encouraged to apply. The theme of the research chair is "Innovative Agro-processing for Climate-smart Food Systems", with a particular research interest in the quality and safety of nixtamalised and fermented products developed using climate-smart food systems.

Innovative agro-processing technologies could transform the food system and increase food security.. Innovations in new product development must be safe, consumer-led and market-orientated to truly impact and transform communities in the face of climate change.

The candidate must have experience with quality control, microbial, chemical, physical and sensory analysis, biofilm formation detection, genomic sequencing, proteomics, bioinformatics and advanced statistics.

The fellowship will enable an outstanding doctoral graduate to lead innovative research projects, as well as research dissemination (scientific publications, conference presentations) as part of the ARC/DALRRD/UFS Chair in the Department of Sustainable Food Systems under the mentorship of Dr Alba du Toit (UFS), Prof. Celia Hugo (UFS), Prof. Johan van Niekerk (UFS) and Dr Sonja Venter (ARC).

The fellowship shall be awarded competitively, considering the applicant's academic achievements, publication outputs and research potential, and the relevance of prior experience and expertise. The fellowship is available for one year, and renewable for up to three years, subject to satisfactory performance.

Duties and responsibilities:

Design, initiate, lead and implement projects that analyse the microbial, chemical, physical and sensory quality of newly developed food products and recipes. Supervise PhD, Masters and honours students to collaborate with the project, assisting in the research design, applying for ethical clearance, writing proposals, the implementation of research projects, and assisting in preparing theses/dissertations. Investigate, identify, draft and submit funding proposals. Lead a research team, manage R&D operations, and collaborate across departments to deliver high-quality, cost-effective solutions aligned to Innovative Agro-processing for Climate-smart Food Systems. Perform quality tests, analyse data and report quality concerns, ensure compliance with quality and safety standards, identify hazards and control risk factors. Analyse data statistically to demonstrate patterns, trends and relationships. Author/co-author at least three (3) publication outputs per year in the form of DHET-accredited scholarly journal articles or books/chapters in books. Assist in lecturing under- and post-graduate modules and offering support to students through mentoring, coaching, advising and motivation. Participate in international and national conferences, presenting original research through oral and poster presentations. 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. Prepare and submit an annual progress report. The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance, as evidenced in the annual progress report.

Competencies

Technical Proficiencies:

Instrumentation proficiencies should include microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, SEM, rheometry and spectroscopy. Molecular biology proficiencies are required for PCR, next-generation sequencing and proteomics of bacteria and biofilms. Food quality testing proficiencies are required for safety and spoilage determination, biofilm formation detection, preservation of bacterial cultures, chemical analysis of food, physical analysis of food and sensory analysis of food. Advanced statistical analysis and data interpretation skills are required.

Eligibility Criteria:

Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University of the Free State. PhD degree in Food Science with experience in food quality control is required. Proof must be included of previous publications in international peer-reviewed journals as well as presentation at international conferences. 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 her/his postdoctoral period at the UFS.

Recommendation:

A valid driver's licence.

Comprehensive applications are invited, comprising of:

Motivation letter, including a 1-2-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 records and copy of doctoral degree certificate, certified within the last two months Copy of PhD thesis or sample publications 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 and one professional reference.

Value of the fellowship:

R 220,000 annual fellowship. R 30,000 additional research expenses fund.

Application:

Applications must be sent to Dr Alba du Toit at DuToitA1@ufs.ac.za Late applications will not be considered.

Closing date:

31 March 2025

Commencement of fellowship:

As soon as possible thereafter

For enquiries, please contact:

Email: Dr Alba du Toit at DuToitA1@ufs.ac.za

General:

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at : EEA13_EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.

How to apply to this job

Application:

Applications must be sent to Dr Alba du Toit at DuToitA1@ufs.ac.za * Late applications will not be considered.