Introduction

Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Applied Radiation Science and Technology (CARST), in collaboration with Research and Postgraduate Support (RPS) Directorate, North-West University.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Centre for Applied Radiation Science and Technology (CARST), in collaboration with the Research and Postgraduate Support Directorate (RPS), invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to contribute to an interdisciplinary programme combining Nuclear Science and Research Management. The fellowship is designed to strengthen research excellence, postgraduate success and institutional research management through evidence-based research, innovation and capacity development. The fellow will contribute to both nuclear science research at CARST and research management initiatives within RPS, generating scholarly output while contributing to institutional research management practices and strategic decision-making.

THE RESEARCH PROGRAMME: The programme is anchored in established research activities at CARST in nuclear science, while creating opportunities to contribute to strategic research management initiatives within RPS.

The Nuclear Science component includes research relating to nuclear forensics, radioanalytical science, radiation detection and monitoring, radiation protection and shielding, nuclear security, laboratory systems and quality management.

The Research Management component focuses on evidence-based approaches to research development, research quality, research ethics and integrity, research and postgraduate grants management, higher degrees academic support, postgraduate student development and research visibility

Research Focus Areas

Nuclear Science:

• Nuclear forensics and origin attribution
• Uranium ore characterisation and nuclear forensic reference datasets
• Radioanalytical and nuclear measurement techniques
• Gamma spectrometry and radionuclide analysis
• Elemental and isotopic analysis
• Radiation detection, monitoring and nuclear security
• Radiation protection and shielding

Research Management:

• Research development and research capacity development
• Research quality and research performance
• Bibliometric analysis and institutional research performance
• Research ethics and integrity
• Research and postgraduate grants management
• Higher degrees academic support and postgraduate success
• Postgraduate student development and support
• Research visibility and international collaboration

Desired Experience & Qualification

Requirements:

• South African and PhD holder. The PhD should have been obtained within the last five years in Radiation Science, Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Engineering or a related field.
• Experience in nuclear science, radiation science, nuclear physics, nuclear engineering or a related field.
• Experience in nuclear forensics, uranium ore characterisation or radioanalytical science.
• Experience with nuclear analytical techniques such as gamma spectrometry, ICP-MS.
• Demonstrated research experience in nuclear science, radiation science or related discipline.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of research management principles, policies and practices within the South African higher education and research-intensive environment.
• More than 1 years of experience serving as a postgraduate and student grants administrator at a South African higher education institution.
• More than one year of experience in administering NRF research grants and overseeing general grant management processes, ensuring compliance with funding requirements and institutional policies.
• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to contribute to both nuclear science research and research-management activities.
• Willingness to work across the Mahikeng and Potchefstroom campuses as required by the fellowship.

Inclusions:

The fellowship is proposed for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory academic progress and the availability of funding. The project plan identifies a three-year proposed duration.

The fellowship provides:

• A postdoctoral fellowship of R320 000 per annum, tax-free;
• Research/running funds of R50 000 per annum; and
• Relocation support of up to R20 000 (once off).

The successful candidate will contribute to both CARST and RPS research activities and will have access to the relevant research, laboratory and institutional research-management environments. The fellowship will involve structured engagement between the Mahikeng Campus (CARST) and Potchefstroom Campus (RPS).

Fellowship conditions:

A Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is not considered employment. The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Operate from campus on a full-time basis;
• Enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or a task/research agreement with the supervisor;
• Not earn a full-time salary from any other employment for the duration of the fellowship; and
• Not hold another Postdoctoral Research Fellowship concurrently during this fellowship.

Exclusion:

The fellowship does not include accommodation, personal travel or other personal expenses unless specifically provided in the approved fellowship or funding arrangements.

Application instructions:

The application should be written in English and must include the following documents:

• Motivation letter summarising the applicant’s
  • professional experience,
  • expertise in focus areas,
  • description of interest in the position,
  • expected contribution to CARST and RPS.
• A curriculum vitae (maximum five pages) with names and complete contact information of two references
• A copy of an identification document (RSA ID or passport)
• Certified copy of PhD degree/evidence of completion

Email applications should be submitted to Prof Siyabonga Majola (Siyabonga.majola@nwu.ac.za) by 12 October 2026.