Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Mabu Forest Camp. Photo: Julian Bayliss

Afromontane Research Unit, University of the Free State (South Africa), in collaboration with the Mount Mabu Conservation Project and Universidade Zambeze (Mozambique)

The Afromontane Research Unit (ARU) is a strategic research hub at the University of the Free State (UFS) and is the flagship research group of the Qwaqwa Campus (UFS-QQ). The mission of the ARU is to support the development and capacity-building of an African-based mountain research community of practice of high excellence that informs global mountain research theory and practice and contributes to mountain-related policy and governance from an African perspective.

In partnership with the Mount Mabu Conservation Project and Universidade Zambeze (Mozambique), the ARU is looking for quality candidates to apply for a postdoctoral research fellowship to undertake new botanical exploration and develop long-term monitoring protocols on Mt Mabu, Zambezia province, Mozambique.

Duties:

1. To participate in biodiversity exploration of currently undocumented parts of the Mount Mabu medium-elevation forests.
2. To develop a long-term monitoring protocol of Mount Mabu vegetation along an elevation gradient as part of global change studies on Mount Mabu, with a particular focus on climate change.
3. Co-supervision of two Universidade Zambeze postgraduate students (two x master’s) and assistance with their studies in the field (Mount Mabu).
4. The fellow will also have the opportunity to be exposed to and contribute to the wide range of world-class mountain-related activities of the ARU.

Eligibility criteria:

1. A PhD degree in a relevant background ecological discipline (e.g., botany, ecology).
2. Applicants must have obtained their doctoral degree within five (5) years of December 2024, or can show proof of pending graduation in 2023.
3. Applications from South African and international candidates are welcomed.
4. Candidates may not hold full-time salaried employment during the tenure of the award.
5. Valid passport is essential.
6. Valid driver’s licence (international drivers required if not a South African national).
7. Physically fit, and comfortable in extremely remote, cross-cultural, humid tropical environments. (Due to the nature of the work, candidates with chronic medical conditions cannot be considered, for their own safety).
8. Extensive botanical field experience, including herbarium voucher specimen collecting, and plant identification expertise.
9. Proven proficiency in English, both verbal and written.

The following will be additional advantages:

1. Recommended vaccinations for remote work in Mozambique.
2. 4x4 driving experience.
3. Extensive field experience in African tropical mountain contexts, especially tropical African wet forest.
4. Supervision experience of postgraduates.
5. Conversational Portuguese.

Fellowship details

• One year – renewable, based on performance.
• The fellowship is valued at ZAR240 000 per annum, with R30 000 for running costs per annum.
• Travel to and from, and on-site field costs at Mount Mabu will be covered by the Mount Mabu Conservation Project.

Application requirements

• Motivation letter (one page).
• Full curriculum vitae (CV) (including a list of academic outputs to date).
• Full transcripts of academic record.
• Copy of degree certificates.
• Copy of South African identity document or passport (international candidates).
• Signed letters of recommendation from three academic references.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed online in Q1 2023. Applicants who have not received any response to their application by 1 April 2023 can assume that they have not been successful. The UFS reserves the right to re-advertise this post if a suitable candidate is not found.

Application deadline: 15 March 2023

Contact person:

Prof Ralph Clark
Director: Afromontane Research Unit
University of the Free State: Qwaqwa Campus
Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866, South Africa
E: clarkvr@ufs.ac.za

View the PDF advert.