Postdoctoral Research Fellowship The Department of Agricultural Economics of the University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship position, to be filled as soon as possible. Location: Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA. Candidates with a research interest and experience in research on the sustainable use of freshwater for food production are encouraged to apply. Candidates with proven experience in assessing the water footprint of agri-food products, virtual water trade of agri-food products, blue water footprint caps for river basins, and climate finance for agricultural production would be considered. This fellowship will enable an outstanding doctoral graduate to obtain experience in research and innovation at a higher education institution 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. It is available for a period of one year, renewable for up to two years subject to satisfactory performance and available funding. Responsibilities Conduct innovative research in: water footprint assessment of agri-food products; climate finance to incentivise water users to use water sustainably; virtual water trade to save water; setting of blue water footprint caps for river basins. Author or co-author at least three (3) publication outputs per year in the form of ISI–accredited scholarly journal articles or books/chapters in books. Initiate projects and seek funding. Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at the UFS and participate in relevant activities of the School of Postgraduate Studies and the Directorate of Research Development. 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 their postdoctoral period at the UFS. Prior experience in presenting research papers at conferences and/or seminars. Authored or co-authored academic publications. Fellowship Value Annual fellowship: R270 000 (tax‑free). Running expenses funds: R30 000. Equal Opportunity Statement 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 Plan is available at ufs‑employment‑equity‑plan_2025.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. #J-18808-Ljbffr