Understanding antimicrobial resistance among small-scale livestock farming communities
in South Africa

2025-2026 Masters scholarship

Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences University of Cape Town

 

The AMRoots project (https://solve.mit.edu/challenges/trinity-challenge-amr/solutions/82317) is seeking applications from prospective Masters students to understand the social determinants, local understanding, knowledge and practices relevant to antimicrobial resistance (development, transmission, mitigation) amongst small-scale livestock farming communities in South Africa, and wider links to agroecological practices.

The student will be based in the Bio-economy Chair in the Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences at the University of Cape Town (https://bio-economy.org.za) under the supervision of Prof Rachel Wynberg.

The full-time position will include several field trips to rural farming villages in the Eastern Cape or KwaZulu-Natal for up to 2 weeks at a time. The multidisciplinary project will involve qualitative research with community members on their understanding of disease in humans and animals, their treatment practices, their access to and use of antibiotics, their knowledge of plant-based medicines, and associated farming practices.

The successful applicant will be awarded a scholarship for R250,000 pa, tax free, for 2 years (2025 and 2026), with the second year dependent on satisfactory progress. Additional funding is available for fieldwork costs and for UCT registration fees. The bursary does not include benefits or travel/relocation costs.

Eligibility: An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. geography, environmental science, anthropology, sociology, botany, agriculture, public health) with a 65% aggregate minimum. The Masters is strongly interdisciplinary and will suit applicants who have a background in both natural and social sciences.

Experience of social research methods, community-based fieldwork experience, facilitation, a driver’s license and fluency in Xhosa/Zulu are advantages.
Applicants will need to apply separately for Masters study to the University of Cape Town and to the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science. The scholarship is subject to acceptance of the candidate for Masters study at the University of Cape Town.

Application process: Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, full CV, academic transcripts and the names and contact details of two referees to Ms Nicole de Vries (nicky.devries@uct.ac.za).

Deadline: 31 August 2024