The Faculty of Education at Sol Plaatje University is offering two prestigious Postdoctoral Research Fellowships beginning in January 2026. These positions represent the university’s dedication to advancing research excellence, developing early-career scholars, and strengthening academic leadership across critical areas of educational inquiry in South African and African contexts.
Fellowship Opportunities
Sol Plaatje University has created two distinct fellowship positions, each designed to address pressing challenges in education while providing emerging scholars with comprehensive support and mentorship. Both fellowships span a two-year period from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, with opportunities for renewal based on funding availability and satisfactory performance.
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Primary School Mathematics Education
Reference: PD/08/2025
This fellowship focuses on Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase mathematics education, targeting Grades R through 6. The position offers an exceptional opportunity for early-career scholars to advance research in Primary School Mathematics Education within South African and broader African educational contexts.
The selected fellow will collaborate with experienced researchers in the Faculty of Education to conduct high-impact, interdisciplinary research spanning Mathematics Education, Teacher Education, and Inclusive Education. This collaborative approach ensures fellows gain exposure to diverse research methodologies while contributing to meaningful improvements in mathematical teaching and learning practices across primary education.
The fellowship emphasizes contextually relevant research that addresses the unique challenges and opportunities present in South African mathematics classrooms. Fellows will engage with current pedagogical debates, explore innovative teaching approaches, and contribute to evidence-based solutions that can transform mathematical learning experiences for young learners.
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Inclusive Education
Reference: PD/07/2025
Hosted by the Centre for the Advancement of Rural and Inclusive Education Research (CARIER) within the Faculty of Education, this fellowship provides a dynamic platform for emerging scholars to engage in research that deepens understanding of Inclusive Education in South African and African contexts.
The appointed fellow will work closely with researchers specializing in Rural Education, Language Education, and Mathematics Education, contributing to a growing body of scholarship focused on inclusive, contextually grounded teaching and learning practices. This interdisciplinary collaboration enables fellows to examine inclusive education from multiple perspectives, considering how language, mathematics instruction, and rural contexts intersect to shape educational access and quality.
The fellowship emphasizes research that addresses barriers to learning, promotes equitable educational opportunities, and develops strategies for creating truly inclusive classroom environments. Fellows will contribute to understanding how South African schools can better serve diverse learner populations, including students with disabilities, those from marginalized communities, and learners in under-resourced settings.
Financial Support and Benefits
Each fellowship provides substantial financial support designed to enable fellows to focus entirely on their research and professional development. The compensation package includes a tax-free bursary of R320,000 per year, ensuring fellows can dedicate themselves fully to research without financial constraints.
Additionally, each fellow receives a R40,000 annual research-expense allowance, providing resources for conference attendance, research materials, data collection, fieldwork, and other scholarly activities essential to producing high-quality research outputs. This dedicated research budget ensures fellows have the tools and resources necessary to conduct rigorous, impactful studies.
The fellowship awards are granted for a two-year period, with the possibility of renewal subject to funding availability and satisfactory annual performance. This structure provides stability while maintaining accountability for research productivity and professional growth.
Fellowship Structure and Support
Both fellowships are structured to provide comprehensive support for early-career researchers transitioning from doctoral study to independent scholarship. Fellows will benefit from mentorship by established faculty members, access to university research facilities and resources, and integration into active research communities within the Faculty of Education
The collaborative nature of these positions ensures fellows develop strong professional networks while contributing to collective research goals. Working alongside experienced researchers in Teacher Education, Mathematics Education, Language Education, and Rural Education provides invaluable exposure to diverse methodological approaches and theoretical frameworks.
Fellows will be expected to produce high-quality research outputs including peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and contributions to policy discussions. The university supports fellows in developing grant-writing skills, establishing research agendas, and building profiles as emerging scholars in their fields.
Application Requirements and Timeline
Applications must be submitted by Friday, November 21, 2025. The assumption of duty is expected no later than January 2, 2026, allowing fellows to begin their work at the start of the academic year.
Complete application requirements and detailed information about each fellowship’s specific focus areas are available through the full calls for applications. Prospective applicants should review these documents carefully to ensure they meet all eligibility criteria and understand the research expectations for their chosen fellowship.
About Sol Plaatje University
Sol Plaatje University represents a commitment to providing quality higher education in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. The Faculty of Education plays a crucial role in preparing teachers and conducting research that addresses educational challenges across the country and continent.
The university’s focus on contextually relevant research makes it an ideal environment for postdoctoral fellows interested in addressing real-world educational challenges. Located in the Northern Cape, SPU offers unique opportunities to engage with rural and under-resourced educational contexts while contributing to national conversations about educational equity and quality.
Contact Information
For questions regarding the application process, research focus areas, or fellowship conditions, prospective applicants should contact the university at post.doctoral@spu.ac.za. The university welcomes inquiries from candidates seeking clarification about application requirements or research expectations.
Advancing Educational Research in Africa
These postdoctoral fellowships represent significant opportunities for early-career scholars committed to advancing educational research in African contexts. By focusing on primary mathematics education and inclusive education, Sol Plaatje University addresses two critical areas that fundamentally impact educational access, quality, and equity across the continent.
Fellows will contribute to scholarship that not only advances theoretical understanding but also provides practical insights for teachers, school leaders, and policymakers working to improve educational outcomes. The emphasis on South African and African contexts ensures research findings are relevant, applicable, and grounded in the realities facing educational systems across the region.
For scholars passionate about mathematics education, inclusive education, and the unique challenges facing African education systems, these fellowships offer unparalleled opportunities to develop research careers while making meaningful contributions to educational improvement. The combination of financial support, mentorship, collaborative research environments, and focus on high-impact scholarship creates ideal conditions for launching successful academic careers dedicated to educational transformation.
