Human Sciences Research Council Vacancies

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

HSRC SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS (Freelance Contracts x 5)

Closing Date
2025/09/28
Reference Number
HSR250909-1
Job Type Freelancer
Job Title HSRC SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS (Freelance Contracts x 5)
Business Area Communication & Engagements
Department Community & Engagements
Number of Positions 5
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location – Town / City Pretoria
Location – Province Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 6 – National Diploma or equivalent
Application Closing Date 28-Sep-2025
Job Category Education
Job Advert Summary
The HSRC produces leading-edge policy research, through engaged scholarship, to utilise in understanding and explaining social conditions and informing social change for inclusive growth in communities. Dissemination of research findings and promotion of research activities, are done through various public events including conferences, workshops, launches, public dialogues and seminars.

The Communication and Engagement (C&E) unit within the HSRC is responsible for strategically translating, disseminating, and communicating the organisation’s research findings to a broad range of audiences locally and internationally. The unit plays a central role in increasing the visibility, accessibility, and impact of HSRC research by leveraging traditional and digital media platforms, organising public dialogues and stakeholder engagements, and curating content for policy briefs, newsletters, and other knowledge products. The unit also manages the HSRC’s corporate branding, publications, internal communications, events coordination, and digital presence to ensure coherent and impactful storytelling across all channels.

To ensure that communication engagement will be prioritised to foster dialogue that is nuanced, inclusive, and reflective of the institution’s diverse ecosystem, sign language interpretation will now be a standard feature at all public events of the HSRC. C&E therefore requires a panel of Freelancers for the provision of sign language interpretation services at HSRC hosted public events.

Minimum Requirements
Key Requirements:

The candidates are expected to have sufficient experience in providing Sign Language Interpreting Services to the Public Sector (Research Institutions, Universities and other Government Departments)

In addition:

Candidates will be required to be registered with a nationally recognised South African Sign Language (SASL or similar) and be in good standing;
Candidates must demonstrate a proven track record substantiated by recent reference letters for which interpreting services have been rendered to during the past five (3) years;
Candidates must have an applicable Degree or Diploma & Experience with a minimum of 5 years’ experience;
Candidates must be based across any of the 9 provinces where the HSRC conducts research;
High personal motivation, self-management, and detail-orientation;
Temperament to cope with a pressurised, deadline driven work environment.
Duties & Responsibilities
The scope of work and expectations of the Sign Language Interpreters will include the following:
a) To provide Sign Language Interpretation Services for the hearing impaired / deaf members of HSRC audience and partners, during events which includes but are not limited to HSRC conferences, workshops, meetings and seminars as requested by the HSRC Event Organiser;
b) To interpret facilitators and participants’ comments, questions, tasks, etc. to deaf participants voice to sign;
c) To translate / interpret communication products including presentations and posters in sign language;
d) To interpret deaf participants’ comments, questions and responses to the facilitator and participants sign to voice;
e) To provide a brief report (two pages maximum) at the conclusion of an event, giving a broad overview of the service provider’s participation in the event, any challenges / issues encountered during the service provision, and recommendations for future events.

Click here to apply

Book reviewer/reader

Closing Date
2025/09/26
Reference Number
HSR250908-5
Job Type Freelancer
Job Title Book reviewer/reader
Business Area Publishing
Department HSRC Press
Number of Positions 1
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location – Town / City All Provinces
Location – Province Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 5 – Diploma or equivalent
Application Closing Date 26-Sep-2025
Job Category Education
Job Advert Summary
HSRC Press, a unit of the Human Sciences Research Council, requires the services of freelancers in various functions. The names of successful applicants will be placed on a database, which signifies that the freelancer has been approved by People and Culture in terms of the criteria required for the particular function and is therefore employable.

It does not, however, signal the existence of a contract or even a guarantee of work. Work will be assigned directly to freelancers by the relevant Editorial Project Managers on a project-by-project basis, depending on the project requirements and freelancer availability, and will include a project specific brief.

The successful applicants will be placed on a database that will be valid till 5 February 2027. Time frames and remuneration will be project specific.

Freelancers who are currently on our database need not apply.

Book reviewer/reader (Non-Fiction)

Freelancer

Ref No:09/2025

HSRC Press, a unit of the Human Sciences Research Council, seeks to appoint freelance non-fiction book reviewers for its scholarly publications to its freelance database. In addition to the responsibilities and requirements set out below, there may be a project-specific brief.

Minimum Requirements
Proven experience in reviewing a minimum of THREE non-fiction trade book manuscripts
In your CV, include a list of relevant projects, including publication date and publisher, but do not exceed twenty items
Include two to three examples of book reviews you have done
A major in English language/literature/linguistics or a tertiary qualification in any of the social- or health sciences would be an advantage but is not essential

Duties & Responsibilities
Using the manuscript supplied, submit a report (one to two pages) on the quality and publishing viability of the manuscript under consideration.
Assess, among other issues, the tone, style, content, structure and clarity of the argument.
Suggest remedies for identified shortcomings.

Click here to apply

Book Cover Designer

Closing Date
2025/09/26
Reference Number
HSR250908-4
Job Type Freelancer
Job Title Book Cover Designer
Business Area Publishing
Department HSRC Press
Number of Positions 1
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location – Town / City All Provinces
Location – Province Limpopo, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West, Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 5 – Diploma or equivalent
Application Closing Date 26-Sep-2026
Job Category Education
Job Advert Summary
HSRC Press, a unit of the Human Sciences Research Council, requires the services of freelancers in various functions. The names of successful applicants will be placed on a database, which signifies that the freelancer has been approved by People and Culture in terms of the criteria required for the particular function and is therefore employable.

It does not, however, signal the existence of a contract or even a guarantee of work. Work will be assigned directly to freelancers by the relevant Editorial Project Managers on a project-by-project basis, depending on the project requirements and freelancer availability, and will include a project specific brief.

The successful applicants will be placed on a database that will be valid till 5 February 2027. Time frames and remuneration will be project-specific.

Freelancers who are currently on our database need not apply.

Book Cover Designer

Freelancer

Ref No:09/2025

HSRC Press, a unit of the Human Sciences Research Council, seeks to appoint freelance designers who are able to provide high quality book covers, among other designs, for its academic and scholarly publications, to its freelance database. In addition to the duties and requirements set out below, there may be a project-specific brief.

Minimum Requirements
Proven experience in the design of a range of trade, academic and scholarly book covers
A portfolio (via a link/ or included in your CV as a single PDF) of relevant book cover designs
In your CV, include a comprehensive list of book covers that you have designed, along with the date of publication and publisher details of each

Duties & Responsibilities
Present HSRC Press with concepts for book covers.
Refine the selected concept to a neat draft, in line with the feedback provided.
Submit neat finals for sign-off.
Submit the deliverables as per the brief and contract

Click here to apply

Typesetter

Closing Date
2025/09/26
Reference Number
HSR250908-3
Job Type Freelancer
Job Title Typesetter
Business Area Publishing
Department HSRC Press
Number of Positions 1
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location – Town / City All Provinces
Location – Province KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Western Cape, North West, Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 5 – Diploma or equivalent
Application Closing Date 26-Sep-2025
Job Category Education
Job Advert Summary
HSRC Press, a unit of the Human Sciences Research Council requires the services of freelancers in various functions. The names of successful applicants will be placed on a database, which signifies that the freelancer has been approved by People and Culture in terms of the criteria required for the particular function and is therefore employable.

It does not, however, signal the existence of a contract or even a guarantee of work. Work will be assigned directly to freelancers by the relevant Editorial Project Managers on a project-by-project basis, depending on the project requirements and freelancer availability, and will include a project specific brief.

The successful applicants will be placed on a database that will be valid till 5 February 2027. Time frames and remuneration will be project specific.

Freelancers who are currently on our database need not apply.

Typesetter

Freelancer

                                                   Ref No: 09/2025

HSRC Press, a unit of the Human Sciences Research Council, seeks to appoint freelance typesetters who are able to provide high quality typesetting of its publications to its freelance database. In addition to the duties set out below, there may be a project-specific brief.

Minimum Requirements
Must work on a Mac or similar and in InDesign (CS5 or later)
Must have proven experience in typesetting a minimum of FIVE academic books and/or scholarly books and be familiar with the conventions of setting academic indices, footnotes and figures.
In your CV, include a comprehensive list of relevant books/journals that you have typeset, along with the publisher details.
In your CV, list all the formats you work in as well as the version you use, for example, InDesign, Quark, RTF etc. as well as the relevant version.
Duties & Responsibilities
Using the MS Word files supplied, set the manuscript according to the design specifications provided
Take in the editor’s markup of the first pages and supply second proofs
Take in the proof-reader’s corrections on the second pages, set the index and supply third proofs
Take in the author’s corrections on third pages and supply the final pages for sign off
Supply print-ready electronic files as well as open files

Click here to apply

Indexer

Closing Date
2025/09/26
Reference Number
HSR250908-2
Job Type Freelancer
Job Title Indexer
Business Area Publishing
Department HSRC Press
Number of Positions 1
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location – Town / City All Provinces
Location – Province Gauteng, North West, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 5 – Diploma or equivalent
Application Closing Date 26-Sep-2025
Job Category Education
Job Advert Summary
HSRC Press, a unit of the Human Sciences Research Council requires the services of freelancers in various functions. The names of successful applicants will be placed on a database, which signifies that the freelancer has been approved by People and Culture in terms of the criteria required for the particular function and is therefore employable.

It does not, however, signal the existence of a contract or even a guarantee of work. Work will be assigned directly to freelancers by the relevant Editorial Project Managers on a project-by-project basis, depending on the project requirements and freelancer availability, and will include a project-specific brief.

The successful applicants will be placed on a database that will be valid till 5 February 2027. Time frames and remuneration will be project-specific.

Freelancers who are currently on our database need not apply.

Indexer

Freelancer

                                                  Ref No:09/2025

HSRC Press, a unit of the Human Sciences Research Council, seeks to appoint freelance indexers who are able to provide high quality indexing for its academic and scholarly publications to its freelance database. In addition to the responsibilities and requirements set out below, there may be a project-specific brief.

Minimum Requirements
Proven experience in indexing a minimum of FIVE academic/scholarly books in the fields of the social sciences and humanities.
In your CV, include a comprehensive list of relevant books/journals that you have indexed along with the publisher details.
A tertiary qualification in any of the following: humanities, social sciences, economics, hard sciences or information sciences.
Attach examples of three indexes that you’ve completed as PDFs.

Duties & Responsibilities
Using the PDF of the manuscript as supplied, the indexer must compile a single or double index as relevant, with one level of subentry, in MSWord format. Other details will be specified in the brief.

Click here to apply

Editor

Closing Date
2025/09/26
Reference Number
HSR250908-1
Job Type Freelancer
Job Title Editor
Business Area Publishing
Department HSRC Press
Number of Positions 1
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location – Town / City All Provinces
Location – Province North West, Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Limpopo
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 5 – Diploma or equivalent
Application Closing Date 26-Sep-2025
Job Category Education
Job Advert Summary
HSRC Press, a unit of the Human Sciences Research Council requires the services of freelancers in various functions. The names of successful applicants will be placed on a database, which signifies that the freelancer has been approved by People and Culture in terms of the criteria required for the particular function and is therefore employable.

It does not, however, signal the existence of a contract or even a guarantee of work. Work will be assigned directly to freelancers by the relevant Editorial Project Managers on a project-by-project basis, depending on the project requirements and freelancer availability, and will include a project specific brief.

The successful applicants will be placed on a database that will be valid till 5 February 2027. Time frames and remuneration will be project specific.

Freelancers who are currently on our database need not apply.

Editor

Freelancer

Ref No: 09/2025

HSRC Press, a unit of the Human Sciences Research Council, seeks to appoint freelance editors who are able to provide high quality editorial services for the editing of its academic and scholarly publications and research surveys, to its freelance database. In addition to the duties and requirements set out below, there may be a project-specific brief.

Minimum Requirements
A Major in English language/literature/linguistics or a tertiary qualification in any of the social-or health sciences would be advantage.
Excellent grasp of English grammar, English syntax, and general English usage
Proven experience in general editing as well as editing a minimum of FIVE published scholarly or academic books or academic journals in English.
In your CV, provide a list of up to twenty relevant books/journals that you have recently edited (state publisher & date of publication) and alongside each of the titles in your list, state which of the following referencing styles you followed: Oxford, Harvard, Modern Language Association (MLA),

Duties & Responsibilities
Using the MS Word files of the manuscript as supplied, edit the content (text and artwork) according to the Press guidelines and project brief, with track changes operative.
Edit the references according to the Press referencing guidelines or as briefed.
Mark up all queries for the authors, using the electronic COMMENTS feature or in a separate MS Word document.
Implement the author’s feedback.
Prepare the manuscript for setting.
Check the first pages and mark up all corrections for the setter in the PDF.

Click here to apply

Research Director

Closing Date
2025/09/19
Reference Number
HSR250822-1
Job Type Permanent
Job Title Research Director
Business Area Public Health, Societies and Belonging – PHSB
Department Health Policy and Belonging sub-division
Number of Positions 1
Workplace Type Hybrid
Location – Town / City PMB/PTA/CPT
Location – Province Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal
Location – Country South Africa
Minimum Education Level NQF 10 – PhD Degree or equivalent
Application Closing Date 19-Sep-2025
Job Category Education
Job Advert Summary
The Public Health, Societies and Belonging (PHSB) research division within the HSRC employs a multi-disciplinary group of social scientists and public health specialists who conduct numerous empirical and policy-related studies each year, three-quarters of which are donor-funded.

PHSB is seeking to appoint a dynamic and visionary Research Director to co-lead the Health Policy and Belonging sub-division. The position will strengthen the PHSB’s contribution to the HSRC’s 2025-2030 priorities, with a focus on intersectional, community-engaged research across health, wellbeing, health policy, identity, and belonging. The successful candidate will be expected to drive a transdisciplinary, impact-driven research agenda aligned to the HSRC’s national and continental commitments, including the DSI Decadal Plan, Africa Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

RESEARCH DIRECTOR

PERMANENT

OFFICE BASE: PMB/PTA/CPT

REF: RDIR/PHSB/1525

Minimum Requirements
A PhD in Social Sciences or Humanities; such as Gender Studies, Psychology, Anthropology or Sociology or related areas; public-health or social epidemiology
Ten (10) years’ experience conducting, leading and managing research, team leadership preferably in a research institution or a university;
An established research career as evidenced by extensive publications record (journal articles, reports, book chapters, books) of which several must be international and first or sole authored;
Experience and strength in social sciences methods and design;
Evidence of successful research fund raising;
Evidence of existing funding and research networks at country and international levels;
Experience in Health Policy and Belonging y research areas;
Experience in the implementation of inclusive, gender-responsive, or health policy research.
Previous leadership in multi-partner, transdisciplinary research collaborations addressing health, gender, GBV, mental health and other societal challenges in the Global South.
Experience in supporting and managing the professional development activities of young researchers and PhD and Masters Researcher Trainees;
Large-Scale research project management.
Additional Requirements:

Personal qualities that include intellectual and personal integrity, imagination, drive, and the ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines;
Ability to work independently and in a team environment;
Good communication and leadership skills;
The versatility to apply qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies to challenging subject matter across disciplinary boundaries will be advantageous;
Proficiency in or working experience with some of the following data software packages: STATA, Epi Info, SPSS, Nvivo, AtlasTI or other relevant statistical packages;
Duties & Responsibilities
Developing the work of PHSB by providing leadership in a cluster of key areas of the Health Policy and Belonging sub-division’s research agenda;
Networking with major national and international users and funders of social science and humanities research to understand their research needs, and build research links;
Responding to calls for research funding proposals as well as initiating and formulating grant applications for major long-term problem-oriented interdisciplinary research projects;
Leading senior research specialist and teams in conducting high quality research, data analysis and evaluation (using qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies) that has both strategic and policy relevance;
Delivering high-quality outputs and reports within budget and deadline;
Managing and leading research teams and large-scale long-term research projects;
Disseminating research findings in different forums (conferences, webinars, seminars, and other relevant platforms) and publishing in accredited and refereed journals;
Participating in public debates as part of disseminating project outputs; and
Mentoring and developing the research capacity of young South African researchers and supporting colleagues to advance their research careers.
Ensure compliance with the PFMA and HSRC policies and procedures.

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications