Postdoctoral Fellowship Research Unit Self-Directed Learning

Suitable candidates are invited to apply for the position of a postdoctoral fellow at the Research Unit Self-Directed Learning within the Faculty of Education at the North-West University (NWU), South Africa. This postdoctoral fellowship is funded by the North-West University and is a one-year position, but the contract can be extended for up to three years, subject to satisfactory performance during the previous year. The Research Unit will host the appointed fellow, who will be expected to reside in Potchefstroom, Mafikeng or Vanderbijlpark (depending on the location of the mentor/host academic) for the duration of the contract. Information on SDL is available at https://education.nwu.ac.za/research-unit-self-directed-learning/home and for even more information on the North-West University, please visit http://www.nwu.ac.za/ . Our vision is to promote self-directed learning (SDL) that will lead to life-long learning in all education sectors through excellent research.

Our mission is furthermore:

• To conduct relevant research on strategies and contexts that contribute to SDL skills for the 21st century with its unique 4IR demands;
• To optimise the quality of our research outputs and to disseminate the results thereof locally and internationally;
• To support academic staff to develop relevant knowledge and to gain international recognition;
• To provide quality postgraduate training in order to promote SDL in all education sectors;
• To share our knowledge - where possible through open licenses or in the public domain - to promote SDL practices.
• To conduct research on SDL for community engagement In our research, we focus on the promotion of SDL in all education sectors. We aim to propose strategies for diverse contexts which can contribute to the development of SDL skills. The aim is to broaden the body of scholarship of SDL internationally and on the African continent.

• Assessment to support SDL

• Blended learning to support SDL

• Cooperative and Problem-based learning to enhance SDL

• Cognition and metacognition to enhance SDL

• Indigenous knowledge and contextualised learning to enhance SDL

• Scholarship and praxis for SDL

• Play-based learning to enhance SDL

• UNESCO Chair on Multimodal Learning and Open Educational Resources to enhance SDL

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The postdoctoral fellow -

• must have completed a doctoral degree in education research within the last five years at a university other than the North-West University;

• must be willing to significantly contribute to the research outputs related to the central scholarly focus of the Research Unit;

• must demonstrate evidence of scholarly performance including a relevant publication record preferably ISI-listed or IBSS-listed journal article(s); and

• must demonstrate English language proficiency, as well as sound conceptual and writing skills.

APPLICATION

To apply, please provide via email the following documentation:

• a motivation letter for the research you are interested in pursuing in the research entity;

• a detailed CV including your journal articles/relevant publication record;

• the names and contact details of three contactable referees;

• a copy of your PhD qualification.

Kindly submit the above listed documents to the Research Director of the Research Unit SDL, Prof Dorothy Laubscher ***email_hidden***

APPLICATION DEADLINE

30 October 2026

DATE OF EMPLOYMENT: As soon as possible after appointment

It is expected from the successful applicant to occupy the position as soon as possible after appointment and relocate to the campus where the supervisor resides.

NWU VACANCY WEBSITE

https://www.nwu.ac.za/vacancies

CONTACT INFORMATION

Prof D Laubscher ***email_hidden*** Acting Director: Research Unit Self-Directed Learning Faculty of Education North-West University Potchefstroom, South Africa Phone number: 27 (0) 18 299 4585