Walter Sisulu University Vacancies

To apply, click on the link at the end of the posts and all the best with your applications

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

Listing reference: wsu_000038

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 15 April 2026

Position summary

Industry: Education & Training

Job category: University and Academy

Location: Eastern Cape

Contract: Fixed Term Contract

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: No

About our company

Walter Sisulu University is a multi-campus, comprehensive University, with its seat at its Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha. The University has four campuses in Mthatha, Butterworth, Buffalo City and Queenstown.

Introduction

The Directorate of Research and Innovation, within the Division of Research and Internationalisation, is pleased to announce the availability of two (2) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship opportunities to be hosted in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, under the SARCHI Chair in Rural Health Systems Research and Development: Integrating Indigenous and Allopathic Health Systems in the Eastern Cape.

Job description

The purpose of the Fellowship is to support the implementation of the Chair’s research agenda and enhance research productivity. The Fellowships will be awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account the applicant’s research track record and potential for scholarly contribution. The Directorate, therefore, invites applications from suitably qualified candidates who have obtained a doctoral degree within the past five (5) years and who are working in the following area(s) of specialisation:

1. Community Health Systems & Social Determinants of Health

2. Ethnopharmacology & Natural Product Drug Discovery

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW

• Each postdoctoral is expected to lead a research project in line with the SARChI
• Publishing quality articles that will result in at least three (3) research output units per year accruing to Walter Sisulu University. Note that the three units per year must be the total credited to the Fellow’s name, not the total shared by the Fellow and their co-authors.

Minimum requirements

Postdoctoral Research Fellows (PDRFs) are needed in the following specifications:

1. Community Health Systems & Social Determinants of Health
The successful candidate will focus on stakeholder mapping & relationship management to identify and engage stakeholders; community foundational research; socio-cultural documentation; and community empowerment & training through the establishment of care group leaders in selected Eastern Cape communities.

The candidate must demonstrate:

• Experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Networking abilities and the ability to work in cross-cultural environments with an understanding of both traditional and modern medical environments
• Proficient in data analysis; experience with NVivo and ATLAS or similar statistical software will be an added advantage
• Fluency in English and proficiency in isiXhosa will be a significant advantage given the research’s regional focus
• Publication history to support experience
• Must have a PhD in Public Health, Sociology, Biomedical Sciences, Anthropology, or any other related field

2. Ethnopharmacology & Natural Product Drug Discovery
The successful candidate will focus on ethnobotanical surveys & pharmacological screening of medicinal plants, nutritional profiling & nutraceutical studies, traditional therapeutic foods, and stakeholder engagements in allopathic and indigenous health systems.

The candidate must demonstrate:

• Proficiency in phytochemical screening, in vitro bioassays, and nutritional analysis. Cell culture expertise is an added advantage.
• Experience in data analysis with R and/or Python proficiency an added advantage
• Able to work in an intercultural environment and able to conduct field research in rural settings with a commitment to impactful work
• Fluency in English and proficiency in isiXhosa will be a significant advantage given the research’s regional focus.
• Publication history to support experience
• Must have PhD in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Biotechnology, Botany, or a closely related field in Biomedical Science, obtained within the past five years at the time of application.

DURATION AND VALUE OF THE FELLOWSHIP

• The fellowship is awarded for two years.
• The value of the fellowship is R350 000.00 per annum (tax-exempt)

ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• A doctoral degree obtained within the last five years
• Excellent written and oral communication
• High-level computer skills
• Evidence of published research output, or potential to produce high-quality research that can be published in accredited dissemination channels.

The application should include the following:

• Motivation letter, outlining your relevant expertise and experience;
• Full CV listing research publications, conference papers, and other scholarly outputs;
• Certified copies of full academic transcript and doctoral degree certificate;
• Certified copy of ID document or copy of international passport (in the case of international applicants); and
• Contact details of two academic referees.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

• Priority will be given to South African citizens who meet the above requirements.
• Applicants with foreign qualifications must submit an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
• Certified copies must be valid for six months from the date of certification, and anyone who submits uncertified documents will have their applications rejected forthrightly.

Disclaimer: Not all the advertised opportunities may be filled within a given recruitment window. Some of the opportunities may not be filled at all due to funding constraints and the unavailability of academic mentors. Furthermore, the
University reserves the right not to make any appointments.

Closing Date: 15 April 2026

Applicants who have not been informed about the outcome of their application within two months from the closing date may regard their application as having been unsuccessful. Late applications will not be accepted.

“WSU is committed to Employment Equity and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply”

Click here to apply

Social Worker

Listing reference: wsu_000037

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 13 April 2026

Position summary

Industry: Education & Training

Job category: Social, Community and Charity

Location: Mthatha

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: No

About our company

Walter Sisulu University is a multi-campus, comprehensive University, with its seat at its Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha. The University has four campuses in Mthatha, Butterworth, Buffalo City and Queenstown.

Introduction

Applications are hereby invited for the following position based in Mthatha Campus

Job description

DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
SOCIAL WORKER: (P8) PERMANENT
REF: WSU MTHS INT 04/ 2026

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Design,implement and review psychological support programmes
• Provide support for vulnerable groups (Students with disabilities,
• LGBTQI ,Women,person with chronic illness, students from low-income backgrounds)
• Facilitate student Development and Training
• Manage human and financial resources
• Develop, implement and review community engagement outreach programs

Minimum requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of social work
• Registration with the South African Council for Social Services Profession (SACSSP)

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience working in Higher Education
• Experience in Student Affairs will serve as an added advantage

Skills and Competencies Required:

• Planning and organising skills
• Decision-making and problem solving
• Facilitation skills
• Client/student service skills
• Communication skills
• Building interpersonal relationship skills
• Building partnerships/networking
• Project management skills
• Research skills
• Monitoring and evaluation skills
• Report writing skills

NB: The following documents must be submitted in ONE PDF attachment when applying:

• WSU Application form (can be downloaded on the WSU website)
• CV
• Certified Copies of Academic Qualifications ,Full Academic Record.
• ID

Closing Date: 13 April 2026

Applicants who have not been informed about the outcome of their application within two months from the closing date may regard their application as having been unsuccessful. Late applications will not be accepted.

“WSU is committed to Employment Equity and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply”

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications