The University of the Free State has opened a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Public Law.
Qualified doctoral graduates from South Africa and abroad are invited to apply for the 2026 scheme offering a one year term with possible renewals. The fellowship is located on the Bloemfontein campus and the university emphasises an environment that supports scholarly development and international collaboration.
Fellowship Overview
The Department of Public Law within the Faculty of Law seeks an emerging scholar to pursue an independent project touching on legal theory environmental law and related domains. The successful candidate will work under the guidance of a senior mentor and engage with peers across the department and faculty to advance innovative research directions.
The appointment initially spans one year and may be renewed for up to three years subject to satisfactory performance and the submission of progress reports. The fellowship emphasises scholarly independence while embedding the fellow in a supportive research community at UFS.
Fellowship Value And Term
Selected fellows will receive a R270 000 annual fellowship alongside a R30 000 research expenses fund to support their work and dissemination efforts. The arrangement is designed to help the fellow establish an independent academic profile and to participate in an internationally connected research environment with opportunities for collaboration and supervision of postgraduate students.
Renewals are contingent on ongoing satisfactory performance and regular reporting. The programme promotes engagement with conferences, peer reviewed publications and interdisciplinary scholarship within the public law sphere and wider social sciences and humanities contexts.
Research Areas And Duties
Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that sit at the intersection of legal and social theory with emphasis on topics such as autopoietic systems theory public international law environmental governance and the interplay between law science technology and knowledge. Proposed work may also explore sovereignty territory statehood and governance at regional and global scales as well as constitutional theory and human rights and the relationship between law politics and society.
Fellows are expected to conduct innovative and theoretically rigorous research, develop and implement an annual research and publication plan with their mentor, and publish at least two peer reviewed outputs each year. They should participate in collaborative research, present findings at national and international venues, contribute to seminars and workshops, assist with postgraduate supervision where appropriate and explore grant opportunities while fulfilling required university reporting duties.
Eligibility And How To Apply
Applications are open to both South African and foreign nationals who hold a doctoral degree in Law or a closely related discipline earned within the five years prior to the start of the fellowship. Candidates should show a strong track record and potential to publish in reputable peer reviewed journals, and must be capable of independent research as well as contributing to collaborative academic activities. Full time salaried employment during the fellowship is not permitted, and applicants must be willing to relocate to the University of the Free State and reside on campus for 80 percent of the term.
Required documents include a motivation letter, a full curriculum vitae with publications and conference papers, a representative writing sample, certified copies of academic transcripts, a certified doctoral degree certificate or confirmation of completion, SAQA certification for qualifications obtained outside South Africa, a certified copy of South African ID or passport for foreign applicants, and contact details for two academic referees including the doctoral supervisor. Applications should be emailed to Dr Nico Buitendag at [email protected], ensuring all documents are included. The closing date is 7 October 2026, though applicants are advised that an earlier deadline of 1 October 2026 is sometimes stated and should be confirmed with UFS. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and the university reserves the right not to fill the fellowship.