Postdoctoral Fellow

APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FROM INTERESTED PERSON(S) FOR THE UNDER MENTIONED POSITION. THE ADVERT IS OPEN TO BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL APPLICANTS

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

Post: Postdoctoral Fellow

Background:

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) invites applications from passionate, high-achieving and results-oriented researchers for appointment as Post-Doctoral Research Fellows for the 2026 academic year. Successful candidates will undertake research within the The SARChI Chair in Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies, housed within the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (EBE), invites applications from motivated, talented, and high-calibre emerging scholars for a two-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, renewable based on performance. This opportunity is aimed at candidates who are passionate about advancing research and innovation in smart, digital, and sustainable manufacturing systems, and who are eager to contribute to cutting-edge developments aligned with Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies to support SMEs better. Fellows will be expected to undertake high-quality, innovative research that advances knowledge within their respective fields while contributing to DUT’s broader institutional research objectives and societal impact.

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The candidates should demonstrate proven research experience, innovation capability, and technical leadership, with a strong commitment to advancing smart, sustainable, and digitally enabled manufacturing systems. We, therefore, seek candidates who will fulfil the following objectives:

• To place DUT at the forefront of research and innovation
• Conduct active and innovative research aligned with the research priorities of the Smart Manufacturing Technologies and contribute to high-quality scholarly publications.
• Produce a minimum of two research units per annum in DHET-accredited journals, in accordance with institutional research and publication requirements.
• Contribute to postgraduate research supervision through an active co-supervisory role, under the guidance of the designated academic supervisor.
• Participate actively in the Department’s research activities, including seminars, webinars, research engagements, knowledge-sharing initiatives and relevant academic forums.
• Teach modules undergraduate/ postgraduate programmes
• Initiate local, national and international network of researchers.
• Submit quarterly progress reports to the Project Leader, detailing research activities, outputs, milestones achieved and planned activities for the subsequent reporting period.

KEY DETAILS:

1. VALUE PER ANNUM: R300 000 per annum (tax-exempt stipend), subject to confirmation of funding
2. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Must hold a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) awarded within the last five years in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field, with a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Must not be permanently employed at any university or research institution.
• Must not have held a DUT postdoctoral fellowship previously.
• Must be available to be based primarily at DUT Durban for the duration of the fellowship.
• International applicants are welcome; valid work authorisation for South Africa is required before commencement.
• They should demonstrate solid expertise in research methodologies, analytical skills, and scientific
• Applicants are expected to have the ability to develop advanced models, algorithms, or experimental solutions for smart and sustainable manufacturing, and contribute to Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies such as robotics, additive manufacturing, and AI-driven systems for the benefit of the
• The primary duty of postdoctoral fellows is research but may allocate a minimum teaching load and other departmental duties by their host, to facilitate their development as future academics, to a maximum of 12 hours per
• Overall, candidates must show innovation capability, research independence, and alignment with digital and sustainable manufacturing
• Must be 45 years of age or younger at the time of application.

     The successful applicant will be required to:

• Publish a minimum of 2 research output units per annum in DHET/ISI/IBSS accredited
• Abide by DUT’s policies, rules and procedures for post-doctoral fellows as well as codes of
• Carry out other duties consistent with a post-doctoral fellowship

3. DURATION OF TENURE: 12 months, renewable, subject to evidence of progress and availability of funding.
   
4. POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP START DATE: as soon as all conditions of appointment are met.
5. STATUS OF POSITION: 2 Year Contract (Renewable annually)
6. APPLICATION PLATFORM: Applications will be received only via DUT Career Portal.

Applications should include:

1. A full Curriculum Vitae
2. Official certified Academic transcripts of all degrees and the corresponding certified copies of the Degree certificates.
3. A certified copy of the identity document details page or passport details page.
4. Visa (required from successful International Researchers only).
5. Medical certificate (required from successful International Researchers only. For SA Citizens and SA Permanent Residents, it is not required).
6. Two reference letters, one of which must be from the Doctoral Supervisor.

Please note:

The University reserves the right not to appoint. While DUT strives for equal opportunities, preference will be given in terms of the University’s Equity Plan.