Direct application link (official UFS vacancy portal):
👉 https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll
This is the only place UFS says online applications will be accepted. The university states that applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. Some postdoctoral adverts are the exception, and they are covered below.
A quick reality check before you read on
“Postdoctoral Research Fellowships” and the “Graduate Internship Programme” are two different tracks, even though people often search for them together:
- Graduate internships are for unemployed graduates with a degree or diploma and little or no work experience.
- Postdoctoral fellowships are for people who have already finished a PhD and want to build a research career.
I could not find a single UFS advert that combines the two under the 2026/2027 name. The individual adverts I found were posted separately, and many of their closing dates have already passed. Today is 12 October 2026, so open the portal above and filter for the newest listings before you plan anything.
About the University of the Free State
The University of the Free State (UFS) is a public research university in South Africa. Its main campus is in Bloemfontein, and it has a second campus at QwaQwa. Both campuses appear in its recruitment adverts. The university regularly opens contract roles for graduates and fellowships for researchers, so checking the portal often pays off.
Part 1: The Graduate Internship Programme
What it is
UFS has offered a 12-month internship for young unemployed graduates who hold a completed degree or diploma. The aim is to give graduates with no relevant work experience practical exposure to a workplace.
What a recent advert looked like
The most recent UFS-specific internship I found was in the academic and educational technology space. It was a temporary contract with duties starting on 1 June 2026 and a closing date of 10 April 2026. That round has closed, but it shows the kind of role to expect.
An earlier round gives a fuller picture of the duties:
- The role was an Intern for Technology in Teaching and Learning (Assessments), based on the Bloemfontein campus on a one-year contract with a stipend of R9,100.50 per month.
- Duties included helping to build e-assessment activities and question banks, scheduling online assessments, supporting students and staff with assessment tools, and helping with data collection and reporting.
- A Bachelor’s or B-Tech degree (NQF Level 7) was required. A postgraduate qualification, tutoring or teaching-assistant experience, and familiarity with learning management systems counted in your favour.
The stipend and duties above come from the earlier round. Treat them as a guide and check the current advert for exact figures.
Typical eligibility
Applicants usually must not be enrolled in another internship or learnership, and must be willing to sign an internship agreement. Also expect the following:
- South African citizenship, as these programmes target South African graduates.
- A completed qualification at the level the advert specifies.
- No previous long work experience in the field.
Confirm each point in the specific advert, because requirements change between listings.
Part 2: Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
How they differ from internships
Postdoctoral fellowships are research positions. You are expected to publish, take part in research events, and often help find funding. The adverts I found vary quite a bit:
| Feature | Examples found |
|---|---|
| Length | One year, renewable up to three years (biomedical sciences); two years, subject to annual renewal (institutional research) |
| Residency | Residential, with 80% of the period spent at UFS; 80% at the QwaQwa Campus for the Education Management fellowship |
| Research funds | An additional research expenses fund of R30,000 |
Fields that have been advertised
- Preclinical cancer research and advanced cell-culture modelling in the School of Biomedical Sciences
- Education Management and Leadership
- Institutional Research, with an interest in higher education studies and related disciplines
Important: many fellowships are applied for by email
This catches many applicants out. Several postdoctoral adverts ask you to email your documents to a named academic or administrator, not to use the portal. For example, the biomedical advert asked for documents to be emailed to the named contact, and the Education Management advert asked for documents to be emailed to the professor listed. Always follow the instructions in the advert you are applying to.
Documents to prepare
Every advert has its own checklist, but these are the usual items:
- An up-to-date CV. For postdocs, include your full publication list.
- Certified copies of your qualifications, and your PhD certificate or proof of completion for fellowships.
- A copy of your South African ID, or your passport if you are applying as a foreign national.
- A motivation letter tailored to the specific role.
- A research proposal, for postdoctoral applications.
- Contact details for referees.
- Academic transcripts, for internships.
Save everything as clear PDFs with sensible file names, such as “Surname_Initials_CV.pdf”.
Step-by-step: how to apply
- Open the official portal: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll
- Search for current listings. Try “intern”, “internship” or “postdoctoral” in the keyword box.
- Read the whole advert, including the inherent requirements, closing date and application method.
- Create a profile on the portal if the advert uses it, and complete every section.
- Upload your documents in the format requested.
- Submit before the deadline. Do not leave it to the last day.
- Keep a record of the Job ID and your confirmation.
If the advert says to email, send one clear message with a descriptive subject line, the Job ID, and all documents attached.
Tips to improve your chances
- Meet every inherent requirement. UFS says it will only consider candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position.
- Match your wording to the advert. Use the same terms the advert uses for skills and duties.
- Show relevant experience. For internships, tutoring, student-assistant work and volunteering all count.
- Keep your motivation letter to one page and explain why this role and why UFS.
- Check your email and spam folder regularly after applying.
Contacts for questions
For general recruitment queries, UFS adverts list . Individual adverts also give a telephone number and an email for the relevant contact person. For fellowships, write to the contact named in the advert.
Employment equity
UFS describes itself as a designated employer committed to excellence, diversity and redress under its Employment Equity Plan. This means the university may take equity targets into account when shortlisting
Beware of scams and look-alike sites
Many blogs repeat UFS internship news, and some are outdated or poorly written. Some of them mix up years and details. Never pay anyone for a “guaranteed” place, and never apply through an unofficial form. Check closing dates on the official portal.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an application fee? No fee is mentioned in any of the adverts I found. Be cautious of anyone asking for money.
Can I apply if I am already in another internship? Usually not. The adverts above require that you are not currently in another internship or learnership.
When do applications open? UFS posts vacancies throughout the year. There is no single fixed window, so check the portal regularly.
Can I apply for more than one position? Generally yes, if you meet the requirements of each one. Tailor each application.
Final word
The best preparation is to get your documents ready now and check the official portal often. When a role matching your qualifications appears, you can apply quickly with a strong, complete application.
Disclaimer: This article is a guide only. Closing dates, stipends and requirements change with each advert, so always confirm them on the official UFS portal.
I can also put this into a Word document or PDF, or write a shorter version for a blog post or social media if you’d like.
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