Short Description

The Visual Identities in Art and Design Research Centre (VIAD), Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA), University of Johannesburg (UJ), invites applications for two fully funded National Research Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowships (PDRFs) under its Bioart and Design Africa (BA + DA) research stream.

Furthering UJ’s position as forerunner in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) for humanity – which explores how physical, digital, technological and biological worlds might come together – and its commitment to transformation, BA + DA is dedicated to producing and disseminating art and design practices that interface with the life-sciences and biotechnologies (broadly located under the terms ‘bioart’ and ‘biodesign’) in ways that advance decolonial perspectives.

While BA + DA follows the common understanding of the term ‘bioart’ as involving practices that deal with the physical use of biological matter as artmaking media, use of the term extends beyond “wet biological practices”i to incorporate the diversity of the life-sciences as they are manifest in creative praxis and visual representation.

Eligibility

The candidate must have obtained their doctoral qualification within the last five years from when the University makes a fellowship offer. Should the doctoral degree certificate not be available yet, a formal letter from the previous university confirming completion of the degree is required.

  • The candidate must not have exceeded the five-year limit permissible for a PDRF (i.e. they may not have completed five or more years as a PDRF, neither at UJ or elsewhere).
  • The doctoral qualification must be in a field related to one or more of BA + DA’s focus areas.
  • Doctoral qualifications obtained outside of South Africa must meet the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) (NQF10).
  • Evidence of strong scholarly and creative performance.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • This fellowship is a full-time position.
  • While ideal candidate should be Johannesburg-based, this is not an absolute requirement.
  • While international candidates may apply, preference is given to South African citizens or those from the African continent.
  • The PDRF may not hold a full-time or part-time job, or any other fellowships concurrently.

Submission Requirements

  • This application form will need to be completed in one sitting. Please review the required documentation that must be included for upload (only files in PDF format will be accepted – please name them accordingly):
    • Your CV, including names and contact details of references;
    • (If not included in your CV), A list of Research Publications Produced in a chronologically ordered format, starting with the most recent publication;
    • Your Research Proposal;
    • Certified copy of your ID/Passport;
    • Certified copy of your PhD certificate (proof of satisfactory fulfilment of the University’s requirements for a PhD);
    • Academic Transcript (should reflect the duration of your doctoral studies and when the doctorate was awarded – not the same as the certificate / ceremony date);
    • Two Reference letters attesting to your academic performance.
  • For International Candidates with Qualifications obtained outside of South Africa:
    • SAQA Accreditation of Qualifications (if available)
    • If Transcripts and Certificates are not in English, translations of the documents must also be provided.

How to Apply

Online Application

Program Benefits & Awards

• The value of this fellowship is R250 000.00 for a 12-month period, tax-exempt.

• The second term is awarded on demonstrated satisfactory progress on research projects.

Entry Fee

None

Location

Johannesburg, South Africa

Timeline

  • Application Deadline: 31 August 2025

Website Link: https://www.viad.co.za/two-postdoctoral-fellowships

FellowshipFund