Job Description

The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship hosted by the UFS High-Performance Computing (HPC) unit and the Department of Engineering Sciences in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. We encourage candidates pursuing an academic or professional career in scientific high-performance computing and network dynamics, with a particular research interest in complexity science, 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 HPC operators.The fellowship is 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 renewable for up to three years, subject to satisfactory performance.Duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct innovative research in the following areas: complex systems analysis in power systems.
• Author/co-author at least one (1) or two (2) publication outputs per year in the form of ISI 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.
• Support interdisciplinary projects that interface physics, engineering, and mathematics in a leading position from within the UFS HPC.
• Fulfil advisory role for the purposes of project priorities w.r.t. HPC resources.
• 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 of the Free State.
• Graduated with a PhD degree in a relevant discipline (physics or high-performance computing) 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 must spend 80% of their postdoctoral period at the Bloemfontein Campus of UFS.
• Experience with complex systems analysis and dealing with data collection, curation, and interpretation.
• Focused on interdisciplinary work in a group environment in the interface of physics, engineering, and mathematics in a leading position from within the UFS HPC.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Eager to implement mathematical models representing complex systems with both a theoretical and an applied touch. The work involves data analysis of time series in the scope of dynamical systems, and/or stochastic processes, and/or network sciences of power-grid-related recordings.
• Strong background in a high-level programming language, preferably Python, but MATLAB, R, Julia and C++ serve similarly. Adequate knowledge of High-Performance Computing, management and day-to-day data centre management will be preferential.

CompetenciesApplication:
To apply, please email the following documentation by 22 November 2024 to the Head: eResearch and High-Performance Computing, ICT Services, Mr Albert van Eck at VanEckA@ufs.ac.za

• Motivational 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 record and copy of doctoral degree certificate.
• A SAQA Certificate for qualifications obtained outside South Africa.
• 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.

Value of the fellowship:

• R270 000 annual Fellowship.
• R30 000 additional research expenses fund.

Closing date:
22 November 2024Commencement of fellowship:
1 February 2025For enquiries, please contact:
Email: Mr Albert van Eck at VanEck@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).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 jobApplication:
To apply, please email the following documentation by 22 November 2024 to the Head: eResearch and High-Performance Computing, ICT Services, Mr Albert van Eck at VanEckA@ufs.ac.za

• Motivational 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 record and copy of doctoral degree certificate.
• A SAQA Certificate for qualifications obtained outside South Africa.
• 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

University of the Free State