Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) September 2025 Vacancies โ€“ Apply Now!

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Location: South Africa (All Provinces) with hubs in Pretoria, Pietermaritzburg & Cape Town โ€ข Workplace: Hybrid (role-dependent)
Employment Type: Freelance (database placements) & Permanent
Closing Dates: 19 Sep 2025 โ€“ 28 Sep 2026 (see individual roles)
Rates/Salary: Project-based for freelancers & market-related for permanent (per HSRC scales)

The HSRC conducts cutting-edge, policy-relevant social science and public-health research that informs inclusive development across South Africa and the continent. Weโ€™re expanding our HSRC Press and Communication & Engagement freelance panels, and recruiting a senior leader in Public Health, Societies and Belonging (PHSB).

Available Positions

  1. HSRC Sign Language Interpreters (Freelance Contracts x5)
    Location: Pretoria + (WC, KZN, GP) โ€ข Closing Date: 28 Sep 2025
    Requirements: NQF6 (National Diploma or equivalent); registered with a nationally recognised SASL body (good standing); 5+ yrs interpreting experience; recent reference letters (past 3 years); based in any province; high self-management and deadline resilience.
    Key Focus: Live SASL interpretation at HSRC conferences, workshops, seminars & dialogues; voiceโ†”sign for facilitators/participants; translate event materials (presentations/posters) into SASL; submit a brief 2-page post-event report.
  2. Book Reviewer/Reader โ€“ Non-Fiction (Freelance)
    Location: All Provinces (Hybrid) โ€ข Closing Date: 26 Sep 2025
    Requirements: Proven review of โ‰ฅ3 non-fiction trade manuscripts; CV with relevant projects (โ‰ค20 items); 2โ€“3 review samples; English or social/health-science major advantageous.
    Key Focus: 1โ€“2 page report on manuscript quality & publishing viability; assess tone, style, structure, clarity; propose fixes.
  3. Book Cover Designer (Freelance)
    Location: All Provinces (Hybrid) โ€ข Closing Date: 26 Sep 2026
    Requirements: Demonstrable cover design portfolio (PDF/link); list of covers with publisher & date.
    Key Focus: Present concepts; refine per feedback; deliver press-ready finals and assets per brief/contract.
  4. Typesetter (Freelance)
    Location: All Provinces (Hybrid) โ€ข Closing Date: 26 Sep 2025
    Requirements: Mac + InDesign CS5+; typeset โ‰ฅ5 academic/scholarly books; familiarity with indices, footnotes & figures; CV with titles/publishers + formats/versions (InDesign/Quark/RTF, etc.).
    Key Focus: Set from MS Word to supplied design; incorporate editor/proofreader/author corrections through proof cycles; create index; supply print-ready and open files.
  5. Indexer (Freelance)
    Location: All Provinces (Hybrid) โ€ข Closing Date: 26 Sep 2025
    Requirements: Index โ‰ฅ5 academic/scholarly books (social sciences/humanities); tertiary qualification (humanities/social/econ/hard/info sciences); three sample indexes (PDF).
    Key Focus: Compile single/double index (one level of subentry) from PDF manuscript; deliver in MS Word per brief.
  6. Editor (Freelance)
    Location: All Provinces (Hybrid) โ€ข Closing Date: 26 Sep 2025
    Requirements: Excellent English grammar/syntax; proven editing of โ‰ฅ5 scholarly books/journals; CV (โ‰ค20 recent titles) noting referencing styles (Oxford/Harvard/MLA); English or social/health-science major advantageous.
    Key Focus: Edit text/artwork in Word (track changes); style references per brief; query authors; apply author responses; prep for typesetting; check first pages and mark corrections.
  7. Research Director โ€“ Public Health, Societies & Belonging (PHSB) (Permanent)
    Office Base: PMB/PTA/CPT (Hybrid) โ€ข Closing Date: 19 Sep 2025
    Requirements: PhD (Social Sciences/Humanities/Public Health/Social Epidemiology); 10+ yrs research leadership; strong publications record (incl. first/sole-authored, international); methods expertise; proven fundraising & international networks; experience in health policy, identity & belonging; leadership in transdisciplinary, gender-responsive research; mentoring early-career researchers; large-scale project management; proficiency with STATA/SPSS/NVivo/Atlas.ti (or similar).
    Key Focus: Co-lead the Health Policy & Belonging sub-division; set an impact-driven agenda aligned to DSI Decadal Plan, Agenda 2063 & SDGs; secure grants; oversee high-quality research & timely outputs; disseminate in multiple fora; mentor teams; ensure PFMA/HSRC compliance.

Why Join HSRC?

โœ… Contribute to nationally and continentally significant, policy-impact research
โœ… Collaborate with leading scholars, editors and creatives across the research-to-publication pipeline
โœ… Flexible, project-based freelance opportunities + senior leadership role in PHSB

How to Apply

๐Ÿ“Œ Apply via the HSRC e-Recruitment Portal for the specific vacancy (complete the online form and upload your CV, qualifications, portfolios/samples and referees as required):

APPLY HERE

Important Notes:

  • Freelance opportunities are database placements until 5 Feb 2027; inclusion does not guarantee workโ€”assignments are brief- and availability-dependent with project-specific timeframes & rates.
  • Current HSRC Press freelancers need not apply.
  • Ensure any foreign qualifications are evaluated by SAQA where applicable.
  • If you donโ€™t hear from HSRC within the stated timelines after closing, consider your application unsuccessful for this intake.

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