LAUSR

Orientation:  South African higher education institutions (HEIs) are facing significant challenges in attracting talents to academic positions. Research purpose:  The main objective of this research was to determine factors that will attract early career academics to South African HEIs. Motivation for the study:  Currently there exists limited research on factors that attract early career academics to HEIs as preferred employers. Research approach, design and method:  A qualitative approach was adopted for this study; semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain data. The study participants comprised of 23 academic staff members from various merged South African HEIs. Main findings:  The findings show that nine themes are related to the attraction of early career academics to HEIs:  career development and advancement, opportunities to make a contribution, employer branding and prestige, job security, flexible working hours  (work–life balance),  intellectual stimulation, innovation, opportunity to apply skills  and  autonomy . Practical/managerial implications:  The results also challenge HEIs to develop a superior employer brand with a strong employee value proposition (EVP) that would attract, develop and reward early career academics for their work efforts. Contribution/value-add:  The study provides important practical guidelines that could assist HEIs to attract talented early career academics and become an employer of choice.