Job Description

The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in Behavioural Banking at the Department of Economics and Finance. Candidates interested in pursuing an academic or professional research-based career in Banking, with specific research interests in behavioural banking, bank-customer relationships, technology adoption in financial services, and the application of innovative machine learning techniques and analytics in this context, are encouraged to apply.The fellowship will enable an outstanding doctoral graduate to obtain experience of research and innovation at a higher education institution under the mentorship of established researchers.The fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account the applicants' academic achievements, publication outputs and research potential, as well as the relevance of prior experience and expertise in the writing of grants for external funding. 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 focusing broadly on 'Behavioural Banking' including specific topics on the behaviour of customers to adopt banking products and services, the adoption of banking products through different technology-based platforms, bank distribution channels and the role of technology, and data-driven insights for relationship-based behaviours within the bank-customer relationship.
• Apply innovative methodological techniques related to not only Structural Equation Modelling software (both partial least squares and covariance-based), but also machine learning techniques in programming languages such as (preferably) Python or R.
• Author/co-author at least three (3) Q1 or Q2 ranked Web of Science listed publication outputs per year in the form of DHET-accredited scholarly journal articles or books/chapters in books. The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and the submission of an annual progress report.
• Initiate research-based projects within the department and write proposals for external funding opportunities - the requirement to share knowledge on grant writing to build capacity within the department is important.
• 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.

CompetenciesEligibility 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 a relevant discipline (preferably Banking or Finance, although PhDs in Economics, Business or Data Science are also encouraged to apply) within the last five years.
• Strong knowledge and/or experience in the field of banking.
• Strong quantitative skills, especially structural equation modelling and machine learning techniques using programming language such as Python or R.
• 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.

Value of the fellowship:

• R270 000 annual fellowship
• R30 000 additional research expenses fund

Application:
To apply, please email the following documentation by 14 July 2024 to Ms Kedi Willie at email: WillieKN@ufs.ac.za

• Motivation letter, including a 1-2 page outline of relevant expertise and experience.
• Full CV including a list of research publications, conference papers, successful grant applications, and other scholarly outputs.
• Full transcripts of academic record and a 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.

For enquiries, please contact:
Prof Johan Coetzee at email: coetzj@ufs.ac.zaClosing date:
14 July 2024Commencement of fellowship:
As soon as possible.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).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.Additional Information

University of the Free State