Job Description

The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship on the use of Information and Communication and Technology in Education, within the Teaching Practice Directorate located in the Faculty of Education.Applicants interested in pursuing an academic career in ICTs in Education research, with special focus on teaching and learning using ICTs in schools during teaching practice and/or the use of ICTs in teacher education generally are strongly encouraged to apply. The fellowship will enable an outstanding doctoral graduate to obtain experience of research, innovation, and community service at a higher education institution under the mentorship of established researchers.The fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account the applicant's academic achievements, research outputs and potential, as well as the relevance of his/her prior experience and expertise. The fellowship is available for a period of one year, renewable for up to three years subject to satisfactory performance.Duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct innovative research in the following areas: Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Schooling, especially for teaching the sciences in schools; the use of ICTs in Teacher Education; and School-based Teaching Practice (WIL) in general.
• 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.
• Do limited teaching in the Teacher Education and Teaching Practice programmes, where appropriate.
• Provide limited supervision and/or co-supervision at Honours, master's and/or Doctoral level where appropriate.
• Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the Directorate of Research.

• Conduct innovative research and obtain evidence- based empirical data on current educational developments in schools associated with the Faculty of Education.
• The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and the submission of an annual progress report.
• Prepare and present papers during seminars and other research events.

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 Education with a specialization in the use of Information and Communication and Technology (ICT) in Education 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 her/his postdoctoral period at the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

Value of the fellowship:

• R 240,000 annual fellowship.
• R 30,000 additional research expenses fund.

CompetenciesApplication:
To apply, please email the following documentation by 30 October 2024 to Ms. Tshepang Tshabalala TshabalalaTT@ufs.ac.za

• Motivation letter, including a 1- to 2-page outline of relevant expertise and experience; and of the research project proposed for the fellowship.
• Full CV including a list of research publications, conference papers, and other scholarly outputs.
• Certified copies of full transcripts of academic records and of doctoral degree certificate.
• A SAQA Certificate for qualifications obtained outside South Africa.
• Certified 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.

Closing date:
30 October 2024.Commencement of fellowship:
01 February 2025.For enquiries, please contact:
Prof Thuthukile Jita: Email: Jitat@ufs.ac.za or 051 401 7441General:
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).pdfThe 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 jobPlease email the required documentation by 30 October 2024 to Ms. Tshepang Tshabalala

University of the Free State