Stifling research potential? Sad tales about postdocs

The challenges faced by postdoctoral fellows in Africa have often been overlooked. In another contribution about postdocs, questions emerge over how institutional leadership structures could yield control of the destinies of postdocs.

In recent years, the challenges faced by postdoctoral fellows in Africa, particularly in relation to the lack of job security, have often been overlooked by the media.

However, a positive shift has been observed as University World News has become a platform for robust discussion about their experiences. It has published several articles about postdocs in 2025, including a compelling piece on 10 April by Professor Mlamuli Nkosingphile Hlatshwayo, titled ‘Postdocs are the ice boys and ice girls of the higher education sector’, focusing on the South African context.

His observations resonated deeply with the challenges we face as postdocs in South Africa, clearly highlighting the obstacles we grapple with and the hindrances introduced by some public university administrators who appear to have perfected the art of downplaying our intellectual excellence – and pride.

Whether one chooses to believe the points raised or not, on an emotional level, Hlatshwayo’s well-grafted observation deeply resonated with me. This is because, as a high-performing postdoc, I’m currently facing unemployment, despite succeeding in obtaining a rating from South Africa’s National Research Foundation merely four years since the start of my academic career.

The details of my journey as a determined young black South African who embarked on an academic path as a postdoctoral fellow at Unisa in 2022, filled with great aspirations, but who has, since late 2024, been ensnared in what has felt like a relentless cycle of institutional servitude might be best saved for another time.

Addressing uncomfortable realities

Hlatshwayo’s article resonated with many of us. But it also sparked pushback from some within the higher education space, particularly in South Africa.

In sharp contrast to what I consider to be an unwarranted backlash, I would like to take a moment to commend him for his honest reflections and his willingness to address the uncomfortable realities faced by postdocs, particularly in South Africa.

In my opinion, he has adeptly recognised the harsh truths that postdoctoral researchers encounter both in South Africa and beyond. His sincere reflection stands out against the position of those who appear to be overly committed to defend what I would like to describe as, ‘the indefensible conduct of public universities’.

However, the variety of opinions and perspectives showcased in University World News underscores the need to encourage further discussions on the topic.

Postdocs’ voicelessness

Despite their intellectual prowess and dedication to producing high-quality work that meets academic standards, postdocs consistently find themselves marginalised and constrained within the confines of cold institutional hierarchies.

It is somewhat troubling to observe a trend of resistance narratives [from within institutions], seemingly aimed at obscuring the reality of how postdocs in Africa have grown accustomed to being treated as if they are inferior intellectuals.

Unlike other university stakeholders (students and staff) who have avenues for advocacy such as student representative councils (SRCs) or trade/labour unions, postdocs are left without a platform to voice their concerns and address their plight, leading to a sense of isolation and subjugation.

One could contend that a contributing factor to certain universities’ persistence that postdoctoral researchers are neither classified as staff nor students is to ensure that they perpetually occupy a state of marginalisation and continue to lack agency.

Postdocs’ intellectual suffocation

Amid this environment of intellectual suffocation and systemic oppression, there are those courageous few postdocs, and I include myself in this group, who as, a result of being consistently crucified by the system, have become unafraid to confront these issues head-on.

This confrontation is never without boldly acknowledging the risks of isolation that will be inflicted by those detesting dissent and defiance against those who speak up. I have since come to believe in speaking my own truth amid being suffocated by institutional power abuses that threaten to stifle my intellectual growth.

It is important to understand that many universities remain under leadership that appears to enjoy overworking young black scholars with utter impunity.

Consequently, the system’s overt manipulation and exploitation of postdocs’ talents serve as a stark reminder of the precarious nature of postdoc positions, constantly dangling the elusive promise of full-time employment as a mirage.

The control perpetuated by some in our institutional leadership structures over postdocs’ professional destinies consistently recycles them into the hopeless state to either submit to subjugation or perish in isolation.

It consequently appears to me that, for over a lengthy period, some leaders of our universities appear to be forcing postdocs to endure hardships, mostly at the expense of their financial well-being and work-life balance.

The future of the continent’s academic community

In a global context, Western nations tend to display a [higher] level of research capabilities and scientific scholarship than numerous African countries. It is, therefore, crucial for African universities to avoid any practices that undermine postdoctoral researchers, who represent the future of our continent’s academic community.

Moreover, as long as there remain a significant number of postdoctoral researchers who, as many universities in South Africa would acknowledge, outshine their full-time colleagues, denying them support is essentially a betrayal of the African aspiration for quality higher education.

It is unacceptable that numerous postdocs diligently develop robust research capabilities aimed at enhancing Africa’s knowledge and innovation efforts, yet they frequently face unjust practices that threaten to overshadow the promise of a brighter future for us all.

Dr Jonas Sello Thinane is a Y-rated National Research Foundation researcher and has been a postdoctoral fellow since 2022 at the college of human sciences at the University of South Africa.