What do you want?
Stellenbosch University (SU) offers career opportunities for academics and professionals, along with studentships and internships. Applicants interested in working at the university can start with the official Careers at SU page, which provides separate recruitment links for current staff and external applicants.
Finding a suitable position involves more than choosing a job title. You need to understand the duties, check the minimum requirements and prepare an application that explains how your experience matches the role.
This guide covers job categories to explore, documents to prepare and the application process. The example roles below are not a list of confirmed current vacancies.
Where to Find Stellenbosch University Vacancies
The university’s external recruitment portal allows applicants to browse Academic Jobs, Support Services Jobs, All Jobs and positions posted within the last seven days. Applicants can also refine their search using keywords, job category and date posted.
Start with the category closest to your experience. If you are looking for office or operational work, explore support services listings. Applicants seeking teaching or research appointments can begin with academic listings.
Always open the complete advertisement before applying. A search result or social media post may leave out essential requirements, supporting documents or the closing date.
Types of Jobs to Explore
Administrative and Office Support Jobs
Administrative staff help university departments manage records, communication and everyday office processes.
Depending on the position, responsibilities may include:
- Responding to telephone calls and email enquiries.
- Maintaining records and updating databases.
- Arranging meetings and appointments.
- Preparing correspondence and meeting documents.
- Assisting students, staff and visitors.
- Supporting purchasing, financial or departmental processes.
Useful search terms include administrative assistant, departmental administrator, programme administrator and office support.
Read beyond the title. An administrator working with research projects may need different experience from someone supporting reception or student enquiries.
Cleaning and Housekeeping Jobs
Applicants with practical experience can check for cleaning, housekeeping and facilities positions when advertised.
Depending on the assignment, cleaning work may cover offices, teaching spaces, passages, washrooms or accommodation areas. Responsibilities can also include replenishing supplies, completing cleaning schedules and reporting maintenance problems.
Experience in schools, offices, hotels or other shared buildings may be relevant. Your application should explain the areas you maintained, the equipment you used and the procedures you followed.
Check the actual employer named in the advertisement. Working at a university location does not automatically mean that the university directly employs the worker.
Security and Campus Protection Jobs
Security-related work can involve access control, patrols, visitor assistance and incident reporting. Some positions may include control-room duties or monitoring security systems.
Typical responsibilities, where specified, can include:
- Checking access permissions.
- Monitoring entrances and assigned areas.
- Recording incidents and completing handover reports.
- Communicating with supervisors or control-room staff.
- Directing visitors and explaining access procedures.
- Reporting situations that require further assistance.
Review the advertisement for security training, experience, PSiRA registration status and the required grade. Do not assume that every security position has the same requirements.
Confirm the work location and shift pattern before applying, particularly if the role involves nights, weekends or public holidays.
Technical and Professional Jobs
Applicants with specialised qualifications can search for positions connected to their field, such as technical support, laboratory work, IT, finance or research administration.
These roles require careful attention to the advertised skills. For example, supporting laboratory equipment and managing computer systems involve different qualifications and practical experience.
Describe the software, equipment or processes you have used. Specific examples help recruiters understand your ability to perform the advertised work.
Academic and Research Opportunities
Academic and research applicants should check the required subject specialisation, qualifications and professional experience.
Depending on the advertisement, supporting material may include research outputs, teaching experience, supervision records or other evidence of academic work.
Studentships and internships have their own eligibility conditions. Read the terms carefully to understand whether an opportunity is an employment appointment, a training placement or a study-related opportunity.
Qualifications and Requirements
There is no single qualification requirement for every Stellenbosch University job. Each advertisement sets out the criteria for that appointment.
| Requirement | What applicants should check |
|---|---|
| Education | The exact qualification or training specified |
| Experience | The type and length of relevant work experience |
| Practical skills | Software, equipment or processes needed for the role |
| Language ability | Any communication or language requirements stated |
| Registration | Professional or industry credentials, where applicable |
| Availability | Work location, hours and contract duration |
Do not assume that the same language requirements apply to all positions. Follow the wording of the individual advertisement.
Separate essential requirements from preferred experience. If you gained relevant skills in another industry, explain how those tasks relate to the position you want.
Documents to Prepare
Prepare an updated CV with accurate contact information, employment dates and qualification details.
Depending on the vacancy, you may also need:
- A covering letter or supporting statement.
- Copies of relevant qualifications.
- Professional registration or training documents.
- Referee details.
- Additional material requested for academic or specialist posts.
Only submit identification documents or certified copies when required through the official process.
Use clear filenames and readable scans. Check that your CV and application form contain consistent information, including job titles and employment dates.
How to Apply for Stellenbosch University Jobs
Step 1 — Visit the Official Careers Page
Open the Careers at SU page.
Choose the internal applicant route if you are a current staff member. Otherwise, use the external applicant route provided on the page.
Step 2 — Search for a Suitable Position
Browse the relevant job category or search by keyword. Open an advertisement and review its duties, requirements, location and closing date.
Keep a note of the vacancy reference number.
Step 3 — Register or Sign In
The external recruitment portal provides registration for new applicants and login for existing users. It identifies your full email address as your username.
Use an email account you check regularly so you can receive recruitment correspondence.
Step 4 — Prepare a Relevant Application
Explain how your background meets the advertised criteria.
For an office position, describe tasks such as maintaining records, handling enquiries or arranging meetings. For practical work, explain your responsibilities, equipment experience and ability to follow workplace procedures.
Step 5 — Upload the Requested Documents
Follow the advertisement and portal instructions. Check that you have included every required attachment and selected the correct version of your CV.
Step 6 — Review and Submit
Check your details before submitting. Retain any confirmation and use the portal’s application history facilities where available.
Keep a copy of the advertisement so you can refer to the duties when preparing for an interview.
Salary and Working Conditions
Salary depends on the position, responsibilities and appointment terms. Use the remuneration information in the advertisement rather than an estimate attached to an unrelated job.
Before accepting an offer, clarify:
- Whether the quoted amount is basic salary or a total package.
- Which benefits apply to the appointment.
- The contract duration and starting date.
- Expected working hours and any shift arrangements.
- The assigned workplace.
If the employer is a service provider, check that employer’s contract terms. Do not assume that university employee benefits apply to every person working on campus.
Preparing for an Interview
Choose examples from your experience that relate directly to the advertised duties.
An administrative applicant might explain how they organised competing deadlines or corrected a record error. A cleaning applicant could describe managing an assigned area and reporting a hazard. A security applicant could explain how they handled an access query and recorded the incident.
Describe the situation, your own actions and the outcome. Keep examples specific without sharing confidential information from previous employers.
Applicants without formal employment experience can include relevant voluntary work, practical training or projects, clearly identifying what they did.
Explore Related Job Guides
This is an independent information guide. The official vacancy advertisement determines current availability, eligibility, closing dates and application instructions.