Job Description

The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Chemistry. The Postdoctoral Fellowship is available for research in Materials Chemistry, including polymer science and/or nano-chemistry. The candidates with experience in super absorbent polymers in agricultural applications will have an advantage. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and productive research group and is open to hard-working and motivated applicants. The award must be taken up by March 2025.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. The fellowship is available for a period of two years.Duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct innovative research.
• 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. The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and the submission of an annual progress report.
• Initiate projects and seek funding for them.
• Register and reside as postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the Directorate of Research

Eligibility requirements:

• Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University if the Free State.
• Graduated with a PhD degree in Organic Chemistry 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.

Value of the fellowship:

• R 270 000 annual fellowship
• R 30 000 additional research expenses fund.
• A further once-off conference grant of ZAR 25,000 is available each year. The stipend is paid quarterly

CompetenciesApplication:
To apply, please email the following documentation by 31 July 2024 to Prof. Deon Visser (VisserHG@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 and other scholarly outputs demonstrating relevant experience in the field of Conservation Genetics.
• 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.

Closing date:
31 July 2024.Commencement of fellowship:
01 March 2025.For enquiries, please contact:
Prof Deon Visser: Email: VisserHG@ufs.ac.zaGeneral:
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 and SAMRC 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.

University of the Free State