The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences. The fellowship will enable an outstanding doctoral graduate to obtain experience in research and innovation under the mentorship of established researchers.

The fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account the applicants' academic achievements, publication outputs and research potential, as well as the relevance of prior experience and expertise. The fellowship is available for two years and may be renewed for one more year, subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.

This fellowship is jointly supported by the University of the Free State (UFS) and African Medicines Innovations and Technologies Development (AMITD).

Duties and responsibilities:
• Conduct innovative research in herbal medicines, cannabis research and formulation studies.
• Author/co-author at least two (2) original scientific research publications in the form of DHET-accredited scholarly journal articles or books/chapters in books.
• Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant academic activities of the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, the School of Postgraduate Studies and the Directorate of Research.
• Undertake additional relevant research activities as guided by the postdoctoral mentor.

Eligibility requirements:
• 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 Pharmacology, Pharmacy, or Pharmaceutical Sciences within the last five years.
• Have analytical research experience in pharmacological bioassays, drug discovery and drug formulations.
• Have experience in molecular pharmacology and in vivo work.
• Have experience in herbal medicines research with special reference to alzheimer, cancer, diabetes, inflammation, and noncommunicable metabolic diseases.
• Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship.
• Be able to relocate to the UFS and be based full-time in Bloemfontein for the duration of the fellowship.

Value of the fellowship:
• R 330 000 annual fellowship, all-inclusive.

Application:
To apply, please email the following documentation by 30 November 2026 to email: publichealth@ufs.ac.za
• Full CV including a list of research publications, conference papers and other scholarly outputs.
• Full transcripts of academic record and a copy of the 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.
• A one-page outline of your research interest or idea in herbal medicine formulation, prototype development and drug development.

Closing date:
30 November 2026

Commencement of fellowship:
1 January 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter

For enquiries, please contact:
Prof. M.G. Matsabisa
Email: MatsabisaMG@ufs.ac.za
Tel: +27 51 401 7452

General:
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.