POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
Listing reference: wsu_000067
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 2 October 2026
Position summary
Industry: Education & Training
Job category: University and Academy
Location: East London
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: No
About our company
iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu is a multi-campus, comprehensive University, with its seat at its Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha. The University has four campuses in Mthatha, Butterworth, Buffalo City and Komani.
Introduction
The Directorate of Research and Innovation, within the Division of Research and Internationalisation, is pleased to announce the availability of a limited number of Postdoctoral Research Fellowship opportunities at Walter Sisulu University. The goal of the Fellowship is to enhance the research and innovation culture at the University by allowing recent doctoral degree holders to contribute to knowledge production in different fields of expertise. The Fellowship will be awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account the applicant's research potential. The Directorate invites
applications from eligible individuals who have obtained a doctoral degree within the last five years.
Job description
Postdoctoral Research Fellows (PDRFs) are needed in the following specifications:
- Scholarship of Learning and Teaching: Multidisciplinary approach to learning
and teaching Natural Sciences for improved student throughput. - SACNASP accredited with specialisation in Organic Chemistry. The candidate must be proficient in HPLC, GC-MS, and the formulation of various natural products. Experience in cannabis/hemp-based research will be an added advantage.
- Human Resources management or Labour Relations.
- Low-Cost Nanostructured OERand or/HER Electrocatalysts for Green Hydrogen production.
- Materials synthesis and characterisation for application in heterogeneous catalysis. The candidate must be proficient in XRD, SET & TEM, N2- physisorption, TPX (X = desorption, reduction) techniques.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW
- Publishing quality articles that will result in at least three (3) research output units per year accruing to Walter Sisulu University. Note that the three units per year must be the total credited to the Fellow's name, not the total shared by the Fellow and his/her co-authors.
Minimum requirements
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- A doctoral degree obtained within the last five years
- Excellent written and oral communication
- High-level computer skills
- Evidence of published research output, or potential to produce high-quality research that can be published in accredited dissemination channels.
DURATION AND VALUE OF THE FELLOWSHIP
- The fellowship is awarded for a period of two years.
- The value of the fellowship is R350 000.00 per annum (tax-exempt)
TO APPLY: Please complete the PDRF Application form with the following and include it in your application
- Motivation letter, outlining your relevant expertise and experience;
- Full CV listing research publications, conference papers, and other scholarly outputs;
- Certified copies of full academic transcript and doctoral degree certificate;
- Certified copy of ID document or copy of international passport (in the case of international applicants); and
- Contact details of two academic referees.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
• Priority will be given to South African citizens who meet the above requirements
• Holders of foreign qualifications must submit an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
• Certified copies must be valid for six months from the date of certification, and anyone who submits uncertified documents will have their applications rejected forthrightly.
Disclaimer: Not all the advertised opportunities may be filled within a given recruitment window. Some of the opportunities may not be filled at all due to funding constraints and the non-availability of academic mentors. Furthermore,
the University reserves the right not to make any appointments at all.
the University reserves the right not to make any appointments at all.
Closing Date: 02 October 2026