Job Opportunities in South Africa
October 8, 2024
University of the Free State
Bloemfontein
FULL TIME & TEMPORARY
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (1-year contract, renewable up to 5 years)
Job Title
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (1-year contract, renewable up to 5 years) (Job ID: 5931)
Organizational Unit
University of the Free State -> Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences -> Department Plant Sciences
Contract Type
Contract
Occupational Level
Temporary
Location
Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)
Closing Date
30/11/2024
Description
The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship to join the Carbohydrates and Enzymology Laboratory (CHEM-LAB) under the Botany Division in the Department of Plant Science. Candidates interested in pursuing an academic or professional career in Plant Biochemistry with a background in or special research interest in studying Plant metabolomics, proteomics, glycomics or enzymology are encouraged to apply.
CHEM-LAB’s research thrust is to correlate the Physiological and Biochemical functions of carbohydrates and carbohydrates-active enzymes (CAZymes) to comprehensively understand their protective role in plants against biotic and abiotic stress agents, and the application of CAZymes in converting agricultural lignocellulolytic biomass into value-added product (VAPs) for the circular economy.
The fellowship will be awarded on a competitive basis, considering 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 one year, renewable for up to five years, subject to satisfactory performance.
CHEM-LAB’s research thrust is to correlate the Physiological and Biochemical functions of carbohydrates and carbohydrates-active enzymes (CAZymes) to comprehensively understand their protective role in plants against biotic and abiotic stress agents, and the application of CAZymes in converting agricultural lignocellulolytic biomass into value-added product (VAPs) for the circular economy.
The fellowship will be awarded on a competitive basis, considering 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 one year, renewable for up to five years, subject to satisfactory performance.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Conduct innovative research in the following areas: Plant Biochemistry, Plant Physiology, or related fields. Proficiency in experimental design and execution utilizing structural and non-structural carbohydrates (or glycomics) quantitative analysis; conduct bioassays for analysing the CAZymes specific activities, characterization, and kinetics; extract, process, and analyse physiological processes to established wheat defence strategies against fungal and pest attacks or abiotic stress adaptation.
- Author/co-author at least two (2) publication output 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.
- Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the Centre for Graduate Support and the Directorate of Research.
Competencies
Eligibility criteria
Application:
Closing date:
30 November 2024
Commencement of fellowship:
02 January 2025
For inquiries, please contact:
Dr Mpho Mafa @ mafams@ufs.ac.za .
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).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.
- Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the University of the Free State.
- Graduated with a Ph D degree in a relevant discipline 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 in Bloemfontein 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.
- Prior experience in presenting research papers at conferences and/or seminars.
- Authored/co-authored academic publications.
- 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 and expertise.
- Full transcripts of academic records 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 (one referee must be your lead Ph D supervisor).
Value of the fellowship:
- R 270,000 annual fellowship.
- R30 000 additional research expenses fund.
Application:
- Applications are to be submitted by email to Dr Mpho Mafa mafams@ufs.ac.za; with a copy to the Botany Division Head Dr Lize Joubert at joubertl@ufs.ac.za
- Late applications will not be considered.
- A face-to-face or virtual interview will take place.
- Successful individuals will be contacted within two to four weeks after the interviews.
30 November 2024
Commencement of fellowship:
02 January 2025
For inquiries, please contact:
Dr Mpho Mafa @ mafams@ufs.ac.za .
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).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 job
Applications are to be submitted by email to Dr Mpho Mafa mafams@ufs.ac.za; with a copy to the Botany Division Head Dr Lize Joubert at joubertl@ufs.ac.za
We regret to inform you that this job opportunity is no longer available
Latest Job Opportunities
October 20, 2024
EY
Associate / Senior Associate IT Audit: Johannesburg & Cape Town
Cape Town
View Details
October 20, 2024
Stellenbosch University
Lecturer: Department of Public Law
Stellenbosch
View Details
October 20, 2024
City of Cape Town
Assistant Professional Officer - IT Change Control Coordinator IS&T
Cape Town
View DetailsSimilar Jobs
August 28, 2024
University of the Free State
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2024 (in ethnopharmacology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences and molecular pharmacology)
Bloemfontein
FULL TIME
View Details
September 4, 2024
University of the Free State
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Bloemfontein
OTHER & FULL TIME
View Details
October 2, 2024
University of the Free State
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2025
Bloemfontein
FULL TIME
View DetailsSeptember 6, 2024
The Agricultural Research Council
RESEARCHER: BIOTECHNOLOGY
Nelspruit
FULL TIME
View DetailsNew Jobs from This Company
October 18, 2024
University of the Free State
Associate Professor/ Professor of Strategic Leadership and Business Management
Bloemfontein
OTHER
View Details
October 18, 2024
University of the Free State
Associate Professor/Professor of Business Management with Specialisation in Agribusiness
Bloemfontein
OTHER
View Details
October 18, 2024
University of the Free State
Chief Officer: Compliance Officer (post level 8)
Bloemfontein
OTHER
View Details
October 18, 2024
University of the Free State
Programme Director: Public Sector (Contract Appointment: Five years)
Bloemfontein
FULL TIME
View Details
October 17, 2024
University of the Free State
Chief Officer: Academic Planning (post level 8): DIRAP
Bloemfontein
OTHER
View Details