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.

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. 

Eligibility criteria

•    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 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. 

Comprehensive applications are invited, comprising of: 

•    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 PhD 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.

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.