A national study of postdoctoral research fellows in South Africa

TL;DR

This comprehensive study analyzes the demographics, research output, and career prospects of postdoctoral fellows in South Africa, highlighting increasing diversity, research productivity, and challenges faced in career advancement and institutional support.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of South African postdocs, combining data sources to reveal trends, challenges, and opportunities for policy improvements.

Findings

Postdoc numbers increased from 2016 to 2022.

Over 60% of postdocs are foreign-born.

Many postdocs face job market challenges and low remuneration.

Abstract

This report provides the first comprehensive analysis of postdoctoral research fellows (postdocs) in South African public universities. It combines an analysis of existing data with the analysis of primary data collected in the form of a survey of institutions on the postdocs they host, a bibliometric study of the research output of postdocs, and an individual survey of postdocs. The number of postdocs has been increasing steadily from 2016 to 2022 and varies across universities, with larger research-intensive universities hosting more postdocs. In terms of demographics, the proportion of black African postdocs has increased; the proportion of female postdocs has remained lower than that of males; there is an increasing proportion of older postdocs; and more than 60 percent of postdocs are foreign-born. The bibliometric analysis of the publication output of postdocs shows that it increased substantially from 2005 to 2022. Some main results of the individual survey are that a postdoc position is taken primarily to enhance prospects for employment in a permanent academic position. However, securing such positions is reported as challenging, which is supported by results that one in every four postdocs has held multiple consecutive postdoc positions, and postdocs in general, but especially non-South Africans, perceive the job market as poor. Postdocs plan to leave South Africa primarily to seek better job opportunities, but also due to immigration rules or visa issues, which constitute major challenges for non-South Africans. Most postdocs desire to contribute to teaching and supervision but often lack the opportunity to do so. Dissatisfaction stems mostly from low levels of remuneration, difficulties created by the precarious nature of their positions and a lack of support for training and career development in their hosting institutions.