Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: Digital Transformation for Teaching and Learning in Education (1-year contract, renewable up to 3 years) Job ID:6645

Job Summary

The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates and motivated researchers for a postdoctoral fellowship under the supervision of Prof Thuthukile Jita in the Department of Curriculum Studies and Higher Education located in the Faculty of Education. Applicants interested in pursuing an academic career on a transnational research project investigating digital transformation in teaching and learning across different educational sectors are strongly encouraged to apply. The project focuses on the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning and their implications for schools, teachers, learners, lecturers and students, as well as institutional practices and educational development more broadly.

The fellowship will enable an outstanding doctoral graduate to obtain experience in research, innovation, and community service at a higher education institution under the mentorship of established researchers. Candidates with proven research expertise in design, collection, and analysis of quantitative data and mixed-research data will have an added advantage. Candidates with expertise in the application of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) are preferred. The successful candidate will be required to conduct innovative research and obtain evidence-based empirical data on curriculum innovations and innovative instructional strategies, including the use of educational technologies in schools and preservice teacher preparation. Experience in postgraduate supervision will be an added advantage.

The fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account the applicants' academic achievements, research outputs and potentials, as well as the relevance of his/her prior experience and expertise. The fellowship is available for a period of one year, renewable for up to three years subject to satisfactory performance. The renewal of the fellowship beyond the first year depends on satisfactory performance and the submission of an annual progress report.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct innovative research in the following areas: Technology integration, Digital transformation in education, Curriculum innovation, curriculum implementation and digital pedagogy; Digital literacy and the development of digital competencies.
• Author/co-author at least three (3) publication outputs per year in the form of DHET– accredited scholarly journal articles or books/chapters in books.
• Do limited co-teaching in the Teacher Education and Teaching Practice programmes, where appropriate.
• Provide limited supervision and/or co-supervision at Honours, Master’s and/or Doctoral level where appropriate.
• 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.
• Conduct innovative research and obtain evidence- based empirical data on current educational developments in schools associated with the Faculty of Education.
• Prepare and present papers during seminars and other research events.
• Contribute to collaborative research, project reporting and dissemination activities.
• Support the development of future research proposals and sustainable research partnerships.