Research Coordinator post level 10/11)

University of the Free State; Bloemfontein; Presencial; ZAR 465 000 - 585 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Pension scheme

Medical aid scheme

Group life insurance

Housing allowance

Leave and sick leave

Service bonus

Study benefits

Resumo da oferta

The University of the Free State invites applications for a Research Coordinator (post level 10/11) in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. The role focuses on coordinating postgraduate academic processes, managing research administration, and supporting examination workflows.

The position requires a relevant Bachelor's degree or higher and at least two years of experience in academic administration or research support.

Qualificações

• Bachelor's degree or advanced diploma on NQF Level 7.
• Minimum of two years of relevant experience in academic administration or research coordination within higher education.

Responsabilidades

• Coordinate and administer postgraduate academic processes (applications, registrations, progression, orientation, appeals, theses, examinations, graduations).
• Manage postgraduate research administration (title registrations, approvals, data capturing, submission tracking, examination processes, ethical clearance, reporting).
• Coordinate master's and doctoral examination processes (examiner appointments, credential verification, reports, corrections, electronic submissions).
• Provide administrative guidance to postgraduate students and staff on research requirements and compliance.
• Coordinate faculty research activities and events (3MT, conferences, workshops, training).
• Support governance via committees (ethics, research, and related).
• Liaise with leadership, departments, libraries, international office, funding bodies and partners.
• Manage postgraduate information systems, records, deadlines and reports.
• Coordinate research leave, internationalisation and engaged scholarship activities.
• Administer bursaries, funding, payments and invoices per financial policies.
• Coordinate external examiners and arbitrators per HR policies.
• Identify opportunities to improve postgraduate research administration processes.

Conhecimentos

Results Orientation

Strategic Thinking

Business Acumen

Leading

Building Coalitions

MS Office

Formação académica

Bachelor's degree or higher (NQF Level 7)

Ferramentas

MS Office

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Research Coordinator (post level 10/11) (Job ID: 6666) - (2346)

Research Coordinator (post level 10/11) (Job ID: 6666)

Organizational Unit

University of the Free State -> Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences -> Office of the Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Contract Type

Permanent

Closing Date

6/11/2026

Description

Duties and responsibilities

• Coordinate and administer postgraduate academic processes, including applications, registrations, student progression, orientation, appeals, thesis submissions, examinations and graduations, in accordance with UFS policies and procedures.
• Manage postgraduate research administration, including research title registrations and approvals, research data capturing, submission tracking, examination processes, ethical clearance administration and research output reporting.
• Coordinate master's and doctoral examination processes, including examiner appointments, credential verification, follow‑up on examination reports, final corrections, arbitration and electronic thesis submissions.
• Provide administrative guidance and support to postgraduate students and academic staff regarding research‑related queries, academic requirements, submission procedures and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate faculty research activities and events, including research days, conferences, workshops, training sessions and the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.
• Provide administrative support to faculty research and higher degrees committees, ethics committees and related governance structures, including meeting arrangements, minutes and follow‑up on decisions.
• Liaise with faculty leadership, academic departments, the Centre for Graduate Support, the Directorate for Research Development, the library, international office, funding bodies and external research partners.
• Manage postgraduate research information systems, databases and digital submission platforms; maintain accurate records, monitor deadlines and generate regular reports on postgraduate progress, research outputs and completion rates.
• Coordinate research leave, sabbatical support, internationalisation and engaged scholarship activities within the faculty.
• Administer postgraduate bursaries, research funding, financial aid requests, purchase orders, journal and page fees, prize payments, and payments to external examiners, in accordance with UFS financial policies and procedures.
• Coordinate the appointment and administration of external examiners and arbitrators in accordance with UFS human resource policies and procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve and streamline postgraduate research administration processes, strengthen quality assurance and enhance operational efficiency.

Inherent requirements

• A relevant Bachelor's degree or an advanced diploma/BTech degree/postgraduate certificate on NQF Level 7.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in academic administration, postgraduate administration, research coordination or research support within a Higher Education institution.

Recommendations

• Knowledge of the administrative, financial, and management systems, processes, policies, and procedures of the University.
• Knowledge of the Faculty's curricula and UFS General Rules.
• A thorough understanding of staff management and leadership.
• A sound knowledge of Acts that impact the Higher Education Sector.

Required competencies

• Results Orientated:
  • The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
  • The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
• Strategic Thinking:
  • The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.
  • The ability to be creative and open‑minded when addressing work issues.
• Business Acumen:
  • The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
  • Proficient in using MS Office.
• Leading:
  • The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
  • The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good‑natured attitude and encourage people to work together.
• Building Coalitions:
  • The ability to be self‑assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
  • The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Assumption of duties

1 December 2026

Salary

The annual remuneration package, including benefits is R464 881.91 - R585 070.51 per annum, depending on the budget available for the position, relevant work experience and qualifications.

Fringe benefits

(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries

For enquiries, please feel free to contact me at 051 401 9813 or email at [e-mail] .Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 7659/2979 for assistance.

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 Plan is available at: ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf

Privacy Statement

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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