Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2021
DST/NRF SARChI Research Chair: Environmental and Social Dimensions
of the Bio-economy

Department of Environmental and Geographical Science
University of Cape Town, South Africa

Closing date for applications: 31 July, 2020

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral research fellowship centred on environmental and social dimensions of the bio-economy, beginning January, 2021. The position forms part of the SARChI Research Chair held by Professor Rachel Wynberg and is based in the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

We seek a suitably qualified scholar to join a dynamic and growing team of researchers in exploring critical perspectives relating to this rapidly growing field.

Research should be focused on one or more of the following thematic areas:

1. Exploring sustainable agricultural futures through agroecology and farmer-led seed systems.
2. Reimagining access and benefit sharing (ABS) in the context of dramatic biodiversity loss, changed markets, rapidly evolving technologies and transformative ways of accessing, using and researching biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
3. Interrogating the political ecology of the biodiversity economy, with a focus on approaches to biodiversity use and trade that alleviate poverty, strengthen social justice and address biodiversity loss.
4. Elucidating governance approaches that strengthen the rights of biodiversity custodians, small-scale farmers and traditional knowledge holders.
5. Enabling critical perspectives on biotechnology and its governance.
6. Deepening understandings of foodways in the Global South.

The tenure of the fellowship is for two years, with the second year subject to satisfactory progress. The value of the fellowship is R300,000 per annum. The fellowship does not include benefits or travel/relocation costs but does include an additional stipend of R50,000 for conference and fieldwork expenses.

Requirements

1. A PhD in a relevant field, awarded within the last five years (recently submitted PhDs will also be considered)
2. Evidence of strong scholarly performance (e.g. publications, participation in research projects, networks, conference presentations)
3. A strong interest in inter- and transdisciplinarity
4. Interest in working with postgraduate students and as a member of a research team
5. Interest in engaged scholarship

Applications

Applications should be sent to Fahdelah.Hartley@uct.ac.za and should include:

1. A detailed letter of motivation describing your interest in the Chair, the work you wish to pursue during the fellowship, and its alignment to the thematic areas of the Chair
2. A comprehensive CV
3. At least one example of recent, written work
4. The names and contact details of two referees, who should also be requested to submit their confidential reports to Prof Wynberg by the closing date

Further information can be obtained from Rachel.Wynberg@uct.ac.za

Further information about postdoctoral fellows at UCT can be found at: http://www.uct.ac.za/main/research/postdoc-research-fellowships

Further information about the Bio-economy Chair can be found at: www.bio-economy.org.za