Call for Applications: Sol Plaatje University (SPU) 2026 Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Education

The Faculty of Education at Sol Plaatje University (SPU) has announced an invitation for applications for two prestigious Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, slated to commence in January 2026.

This initiative underscores SPU’s dedication to cultivating research excellence, fostering the growth of early-career scholars, and enhancing academic leadership within pivotal domains of educational inquiry, specifically focusing on the South African and broader African contexts.

Fellowship 1: Primary School Mathematics Education

The university is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Primary School Mathematics Education (Foundation Phase & Intermediate Phase). This fellowship, referenced as PD/08/2025, is a two-year opportunity, running from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.

This position presents an exceptional pathway for an emerging scholar to advance high-impact, interdisciplinary research pertinent to Mathematics Education across Grades R–6.

The selected Fellow will be integrated into the Faculty of Education’s research environment, collaborating closely with seasoned academics. The research is expected to span crucial areas including Mathematics Education, Teacher Education, and Inclusive Education, with a strong emphasis on contextual relevance within South African and African educational settings.

Fellowship 2: Inclusive Education

A second fellowship is available in Inclusive Education, carrying the reference PD/07/2025, and also spans a duration of two years (January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027).

This fellowship is strategically housed by the Centre for the Advancement of Rural and Inclusive Education Research (CARIER) within the Faculty. The platform is designed to allow the appointed scholar to undertake research that contributes significantly to a deeper understanding of Inclusive Education within the unique dynamics of the South African and African educational landscape.

The research activities will involve close collaboration with existing researchers focused on Rural Education, Language Education, and Mathematics Education, ultimately enriching the growing body of scholarship centered on inclusive, contextually appropriate teaching and learning practices.

Financial Support and Duration

Both fellowships offer a robust financial package intended to support focused, full-time research. Each awarded fellowship comprises a tax-free bursary of R320,000 per annum.

Additionally, recipients will receive an annual research-expense allowance of R40,000 to cover associated costs.

The award is initially granted for a comprehensive two-year period. Continuation into the second year and any potential for renewal beyond the initial term is conditional upon the availability of funding and the demonstration of satisfactory performance during annual reviews.

Application Details and Key Dates

Prospective candidates interested in these prestigious research opportunities must take note of the crucial application timeline.

The application deadline is Friday, November 21, 2025.

The successful applicants are expected to assume their duties no later than January 2, 2026.

Candidates are strongly advised to consult the respective full call and application requirements for each fellowship to ensure comprehensive submission compliance. For specific inquiries regarding the application process, required documentation, or the detailed research focus areas, individuals may contact the dedicated faculty email address: [email protected].

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowships at Sol Plaatje University represent an excellent opportunity for early-career scholars to make meaningful contributions to critical areas of educational research and to establish themselves as academic leaders within the African context.

The Strategic Importance of Research at Sol Plaatje University

Sol Plaatje University (SPU), situated in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, is committed to establishing itself as a significant contributor to knowledge production, particularly addressing the unique challenges and opportunities present in the region and the wider African continent. The Faculty of Education plays a pivotal role in this mandate, recognizing that a strengthened educational sector is fundamental to sustainable development and social mobility. The launch of two Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, commencing in January 2026, is a direct investment in the future of educational research capacity building.

The structure of these fellowships is designed not merely to fund individual research projects but to strategically embed early-career scholars within existing research clusters and strengthen inter-faculty collaboration. By focusing on critical areas—Primary School Mathematics Education and Inclusive Education—SPU aims to generate evidence-based findings that can directly influence curriculum development, teacher training, and policy decisions at national and regional levels. The university views the Postdoctoral Fellow as a vital catalyst, bringing fresh perspectives and international best practices to local academic challenges.

Fellowship 1: Deep Dive into Primary School Mathematics Education

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Primary School Mathematics Education (Reference: PD/08/2025) is targeted towards scholars whose doctoral work demonstrated excellence in areas relevant to the teaching and learning of mathematics in the crucial early years of schooling (Foundation Phase, Grades R–3, and Intermediate Phase, Grades 4–6). This phase of schooling is globally acknowledged as the foundation upon which all subsequent scientific and technical literacy is built. Poor performance in primary mathematics is a known barrier to educational equity and economic growth in many developing nations, including South Africa.

The successful candidate will be expected to design and implement a research agenda that contributes to solving these localized challenges. Potential areas of inquiry could include:

• Teacher Content Knowledge: Investigating the effectiveness of professional development models aimed at enhancing primary teachers’ Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK) and Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) in mathematics.
• Curriculum Implementation: Analyzing barriers and enablers to the effective implementation of the South African mathematics curriculum (CAPS) in rural and socio-economically disadvantaged schools.
• Early Numeracy: Conducting longitudinal studies on the development of foundational numeracy concepts among Grade R learners, particularly focusing on indigenous language speakers.
• Interdisciplinary Integration: Exploring the integration of mathematics teaching with other subjects, such as coding, robotics, or environmental studies, to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Assessment Practices: Researching the validity and reliability of formative and summative assessment tools used in primary mathematics and their impact on instructional decision-making.

The Fellow will be supervised by a senior academic within the Faculty and will be required to contribute to the intellectual life of the department through seminar presentations, mentorship of postgraduate students, and participation in grant writing activities. The goal is to transition the Postdoctoral Fellow into a fully independent research leader by the end of the two-year term.

Fellowship 2: The Critical Role of Inclusive Education Research

The second position, the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Inclusive Education (Reference: PD/07/2025), is hosted by the Centre for the Advancement of Rural and Inclusive Education Research (CARIER). This specific positioning highlights SPU’s commitment to context-driven research, acknowledging that inclusivity must be examined through the lens of rurality, multi-lingualism, and socio-economic disadvantage—factors often highly prevalent in the Northern Cape.

The CARIER Centre serves as a dynamic hub for academics examining how equitable and high-quality education can be delivered to all learners, particularly those historically marginalized. The Fellow will engage in research that moves beyond theoretical debates, focusing on practical and scalable solutions for teaching and learning. Key research themes for this fellowship could involve:

• Teacher Capacitation: Investigating the efficacy of initial teacher education programs in preparing pre-service teachers to manage and implement fully inclusive classrooms in diverse settings.
• Policy to Practice: Analyzing the congruence between national Inclusive Education policies (e.g., Education White Paper 6) and actual implementation realities within rural and under-resourced schools.
• Language and Access: Researching the intersection of language diversity and learning disabilities, exploring best practices for assessment and support in multi-lingual classrooms.
• Technology in Inclusion: Examining the use of low-cost, context-appropriate assistive technologies and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) frameworks to enhance access for learners with diverse needs.
• Parent and Community Engagement: Studying the role of parents and community support structures in facilitating the successful inclusion of vulnerable learners into mainstream schooling.

The CARIER environment ensures that the Fellow benefits from interdisciplinary exposure, collaborating with experts in Language Education and Rural Education, thereby grounding their findings in a holistic understanding of the educational ecosystem. This cross-pollination is essential for generating contextually grounded, rather than imported, solutions.

Bursary Details and Administrative Requirements

The financial provision for both fellowships is designed to ensure the Fellow can dedicate their full attention to research. The annual tax-free bursary of R320,000, combined with the R40,000 research-expense allowance, represents a competitive package aimed at attracting top-tier emerging scholars globally. It is important for applicants to note that, as per South African law, this funding is a tax-free bursary and not an employment salary, though the position requires full-time dedication to the research agenda.

The two-year term, with the potential for renewal, offers stability necessary for ambitious, multi-phase research projects. Renewal is strictly subject to an annual performance review process which assesses research output (publications, conference presentations), engagement in the Faculty’s activities, and progress toward the stated research goals.

Interested candidates must ensure that their applications comply fully with the requirements detailed in the full call documentation, which are accessible via the provided institutional links. Crucially, applicants must possess a doctoral degree obtained no more than five years prior to the application deadline, unless special circumstances warrant consideration. Submissions must include a detailed curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, contact details for referees, and a comprehensive research proposal outlining the intended project aligned with the fellowship’s focus area.

The deadline of November 21, 2025, is firm. Early submission is highly encouraged to allow adequate time for the review process. The expectation for a January 2, 2026, assumption of duty is critical to align with the university’s academic year start, necessitating prompt acceptance and relocation (if applicable) by the successful candidates. All administrative and research-related inquiries should be directed to the designated email address: [email protected].

SPU’s Vision

Sol Plaatje University’s commitment through these Postdoctoral Fellowships is clear: to strategically invest in human capital that will address complex educational challenges through rigorous, context-relevant research.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.