Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Organisational Workflows, Data Science and Industrial Psychology)

CUADS UFS; Bloemfontein; Sur place; ZAR 243 000 - 297 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The University of the Free State invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Industrial Psychology, Organisational Development, Data Science and Future of Work Studies at the Bloemfontein campus. This residential fellowship focuses on organisational workflows, people systems, behavioural science, and data-driven decision making.

One-year appointment with potential renewal, salary: R270 000 per year plus R30 000 for research expenses, requiring a doctoral degree within the last

Qualifications

• Hold a completed Doctoral degree in Industrial Psychology, HRM, Organisational Psychology, Data Science, or a closely related field.
• Doctoral qualification must have been obtained within the last five years.
• Demonstrate a strong academic track record and research potential.
• Evidence of scholarly publications or publishable work.
• Strong interest in quantitative research and organisational systems.
• Sound analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Experience with Python, R, Power BI, SPSS, machine learning or advanced analytics is advantageous.
• Not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship.
• Be able to relocate to UFS for the duration of the fellowship.
• Residential fellowship: spend 80% of period at UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

Responsabilités

• Conduct interdisciplinary research in Industrial Psychology, Organisational Development and data science.
• Publish scholarly outputs and contribute to high-impact research.
• Relocate to UFS Bloemfontein and reside on campus for 80% of the fellowship period.
• Contribute to evidence-based organisational practice and innovation.

Connaissances

Quantitative research

Python

R

Power BI

SPSS

Machine Learning

Formation

Doctoral degree in Industrial Psychology/HRM/Organisational Psychology/Data Science or related field

Outils

Python

R

Power BI

SPSS

Machine Learning

Description du poste

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (Organisational Workflows, Data Science and Industrial Psychology) (Job ID: 6678) - (2338)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (Organisational Workflows, Data Science and Industrial Psychology) (Job ID: 6678)

Organizational Unit

University of the Free State -> Vice- Chancellor and Principal -> Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal

Contract Type

Contract

Occupational Level

Temporary

Closing Date

20/11/2026

Description

The University of the Free State invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the interdisciplinary field of Industrial Psychology, Organisational Development, Data Science, and Future of Work Studies.

This fellowship is intended for an outstanding early-career researcher who wishes to undertake advanced research at the intersection of organisational workflows, people systems, behavioural science, and data-driven decision-making from an Industrial Psychology perspective.

The successful candidate will contribute to high-impact research, scholarly publication outputs, institutional innovation, and evidence-based organisational practice.

Research Focus Areas

The appointed Postdoctoral Fellow will conduct research in one or more of the following areas:

• Optimisation of organisational workflows and business processes
• Employee productivity and workflow efficiency
• Behavioural analytics in the workplace
• Application of data science to HR and organisational decision-making
• Workforce planning and predictive people analytics
• Organisational culture and digital transformation
• AI and automation impacts on employee wellbeing and performance
• Performance management systems and workflow intelligence
• Change management in technology-enabled organisations
• Human-centred design of work systems

Applicants must

• Hold a completed Doctoral degree in Industrial Psychology, Human Resource Management, Organisational Psychology, Data Science, or a closely related field.
• Have obtained the doctoral qualification within the last five (5) years.
• Demonstrate a strong academic track record and research potential.
• Show evidence of scholarly publications or publishable work.
• Have a strong interest in quantitative research and organisational systems.
• Possess sound analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Experience with Python, R, Power BI, SPSS, machine learning, or advanced analytics will be advantageous.
• Not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship.
• Be able to relocate to UFS 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 Bloemfontein Campus.

• Critical and strategic thinking.
• Advanced research capability.
• Statistical and data interpretation skills.
• Academic writing and publication ability.
• Problem solving.
• Professional communication.
• Innovation and curiosity.
• Interest in organisational effectiveness and future work systems.

Successful candidate will gain exposure to

• High-level organisational research projects.
• Advanced people analytics methodologies.
• Workflow optimisation frameworks.
• Evidence-based HR strategy and workforce modelling.
• Academic publication and conference opportunities.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Practical application of Industrial Psychology in modern organisations.

Fellowship Duration

One-year appointment, renewable subject to performance, funding availability, and institutional requirements.

Value of the Fellowship

• R 270 000 annual fellowship
• R 30 000 additional research expenses funds

Commencement Date

As soon as possible.

Closing Date

20 November 2026

Enquiries

For enquiries, please contact 051 401 9329 or email [e-mail] / 051 401 9848 or email [e-mail] .

General

The University of the Free State is committed to excellence, innovation, and the advancement of impactful research that contributes to society and the future world of work.

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.

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