Deadline: 1 August 2019

The Centre for Water Resources Research (CWRR) would like to appoint a researcher to assist on a collaborative project between the University of Kwazulu-Natal, University of Cape Town, University of Copenhagen, and the University of Stellenbosch on a 2-year project called Socio-economic benefits of investing in ecological infrastructure (SEBEI). The project involves establishing the hydrological benefits of investing in ecological infrastructure interventions.

Job Description

The position is for 9 months of full-time employment or a part-time option can be negotiated over 15 months depending on starting date. The SEBEI project entails a multi-disciplinary research programme funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).

The SEBEI Project aims to develop an evidence-based analytical framework and prototype “investment case” for strengthening ecological infrastructure (EI) in strategic catchments. The researcher will be involved mostly in work package three, which aims to develop and apply a hydrological modelling framework to support decision-making on EI investment for water-related ecosystem services.

The researcher will form part of a multi-disciplinary team from the University of Kwazulu-Natal, University of Cape Town, University of Copenhagen, and the University of Stellenbosch spanning hydrological, ecological, climate, earth and social sciences. The researcher will work closely with counterparts, and especially the other three postdoctoral researchers, within the broader research programme.

 

Required skills

We are interested in the following three skill sets, candidates should be experienced in at least one of these three categories:

1. Computer programming/scripting skills for data processing, analysis and modelling
2. Hydrological modelling (preferably detailed experience with MIKE-SHE)
3. Remote sensing (working with LiDAR, and various multispectral sensors)

Beneficial skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Good people skills (stakeholder engagement)
• Ability to work in a transdisciplinary environment
• Organization/co-ordination skills
• Experience, or a desire to build experience, in communicating research to diverse non-expert audiences

Conditions of position

• Applicants must have a PhD
• No benefits or allowances are included in the stipend, but it is tax exempt
• The successful applicant will be required to register as a researcher at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
• The successful applicant will be required to comply with the university’s approved policies, procedures and practices for the postdoctoral sector
• A willingness to be based in KwaZulu-Natal would be beneficial
• A driver’s license (valid in South Africa)

Value and tenure

The value of the fellowship is ZAR 25 000 per month for full-time work and is tenable for 9 months (there is a possibility to negotiate for part-time work over 15 months depending on starting date), depending on experience and qualifications, on condition of satisfactory meeting of deliverables.

Application requirements

Applicants should submit :

1. An application letter that includes a short description of their expertise and research interests, and how these relate to the position.
2. A CV including a publication list.
3. Copies of the most recent academic transcripts and/or certificates.
4. Email addresses of at least two references who been directly involved in their masters, PhD and/or previous postdoctoral research.

Applications should be emailed to Alanna Rebelo (ARebelo@sun.ac.za). We wish to appoint a candidate with immediate effect, but the position will be kept open until 1 August 2019 or until we appoint a suitable candidate.

Selection process

• Only eligible and complete applications will be considered by the selection committee.

• Interviews will take place as required until August 2019 and the successful candidate is expected to start as soon as possible after their interview.

• We reserve the right not to appoint anyone to this position.

Closing date

Applications will be received until 1 August 2019.

Contact

Applications:

Dr. Alanna Rebelo
Email: ARebelo@sun.ac.za
Phone: (+27) 81 218 9284

Enquiries about the research topic and SEBEI:

Dr. Sabine Stuart-Hill
Email: stuart-hills@ukzn.ac.za
Phone: (+27)33 260 5460

Dr. Mark New
Email: Mark.New@uct.ac.za
Phone: (+27) 81 041 2099

Deadline: 8 August 2019 

We invite early and mid‐career professionals in research, policy, non-government or private sectors to apply for the 20/20 Adaptation Professionals Programme.

This Programme will support 20 adaptation professionals from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to promote the implementation of the work of the Global Commission on Adaptation, including its flagship report to be delivered to the UN Secretary‐General’s Climate Summit in September 2019 and subsequent Action Tracks. The Fellowship is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Under this call, we are seeking three Fellows to be associated with the ARUA Centre of Excellence in Climate and Development (ARUA-CD). ARUA-CD is a research partnership between the University of Ghana, University of Nairobi or University of Cape Town. Under this call we are seeking one Fellow from Accra, one Fellow from Nairobi, and one Fellow from Cape Town. For the Cape Town Fellow we are seeking applications from black South Africans. 

The Fellows will be supported to work for a period of three months, with supervision support from both their home institution and the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), University of Ghana, Institute for Climate Change Adaptation (ICCA), University of Nairobi or the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI), University of Cape Town (depending on location) and the Global Center on Adaptation. If preferable, Fellows may work on a part-time basis for a longer period. The programme runs from June 2019 to December 2020. The fellowship includes a two‐to‐four week period at the premises of the Global Center on Adaptation in the Netherlands, in Rotterdam and/or Groningen. For the remainder of the three-month period, Fellows may work at their home institution (i.e. employer) or they may be based at the hosting institutes at University of Ghana, University of Nairobi or University of Cape Town.

Each Fellow’s employer/home institution will be compensated up to 8500€ for salaries over this period. Up to 6500€ of the Fellows’ costs for travel and living expenses to the Global Centre on Adaptation will be covered by the Centre.

Eligibility criteria

The programme is seeking Fellows from research, policy and private sector backgrounds with the following profiles:

1. Early and mid‐career researchers working on adaptation‐relevant research: Fellows should have a Master’s degree and/or PhD, or may be enrolled in a PhD programme. Practitioners with extensive grassroots experience with a research orientation are also solicited. Fellows from universities, research centers and research‐orientated NGOs may apply.

2. Policy/public sector professionals, with 3‐7 years of work experience in a field relevant to adaptation, including water, agriculture, infrastructure, cities, insurance, natural environment and finance.

3. Private sector professionals with 3‐7 years of work experience working on issues relating to climate change adaptation and/or climate risk, including microfinance, banking and insurance, project development, risk analysis, corporate social responsibility, SMEs and NGOs.

Minimum requirements

• A minimum of master’s degree in the field of climate, policy or development science.

• Evidence of research outputs and/or project reporting in climate science, adaptation and climate policy.

• At least 3 - 7 or more years of work experience, with significant experience in climate change or developmental issues, adaptation processes and/or the integration of climate considerations into local, regional and national policy.

• Knowledge of national and international policy and development frameworks such as SDGs, UNFCCC National Communications, National Adaptation Plans, Nationally Determined Contributions.

• Excellent and demonstrable written and verbal communication skills including experience in writing for an academic as well as a non-academic audience.

Responsibilities

Fellows will be expected to undertake work for the Centre over the three month duration as outlined below.

1. Access and collate adaptation solutions, experiences and best practices in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

2. Contribute to the development of the Action Tracks of the Global Commission on Adaptation and the development of the work of the Global Center on Adaptation.

3. Foster their leadership skills through exposure to and mentoring from a global network of adaptation researchers, practitioners and leaders.

4. Complete a project on climate change adaptation over a three month period, including working for a two‐to‐four week period at the premises of the Global Center on Adaptation in the Netherlands, in Rotterdam and/or Groningen.

Selection process

• There will be a two-tier selection process.  A selection committee at each of the ARUA-CD partner universities will select Fellows from the respective regions. A second selection process that includes the Global Centre for Adaptation will select one candidate per location from the short list. The selection committee will seek a balance of Fellows across research, policy and private sectors.

• Only eligible and complete applications will be considered by the selection committee.

Application requirements

Applicants should submit:

1. An application letter that includes a short description of their expertise, research interests, and adaptation-based experience. Please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria listed under the type of Fellowship (research, policy or practice) that you are applying for.

2. A short 2-3 page concept note on a topic of climate change adaptation that the candidate would like to explore as part of their fellowship.  

3. A CV, including a publication list.

4. Names and email addresses of at least two references.

5. Letter from employers providing permission to participate in this programme for a duration of three months.   

All submissions should be merged into a single PDF application. Submissions should be emailed to Leigh Cobban: leigh.cobban@uct.ac.za  

Closing date

The closing date for submitting your completed application form with all supporting documents is 08 August 2019. No late, incomplete or inappropriate applications will be accepted.

Additional information: ACDI, UCT and the Global Commission on Adaptation

The University of Cape Town reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications. The University of Cape Town also reserves the right to change the conditions of the award or to make no awards at all.

Deadline: 10 August 2019

The South African Department of Environmental Affairs and ACDI will be hosting a workshop for early-career environmental and social scientists working on climate change issues.

The workshops are aimed at increasing participation in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) processes, particularly through information and training on being an expert reviewer of upcoming IPCC publications that form the IPCC 6th global assessment report. Information on the nomination process for IPCC authors for future reports will also be provided, and authors of current IPCC reports will be in attendance. 

The Cape Town workshop will be a full day, held at the University of Cape Town on 21 August 2019 (see draft agenda). There is space for attendance by 30 early-career scientists (junior lecturers, postdocs, PhDs, and Masters students in the final stages of their research) at this Cape Town workshop. Lunch will be provided.

 

If you wish to apply for this opportunity please complete this registration form by the 10th of August. 

 

Deadline: 31 August 2019 

We invite black South Africans interested in undertaking a PhD with a focus in climate change and development to apply for the ARUA-CD three-year PhD scholarship. The scholarship has a value of ZAR 200,000 per annum, which will be paid in one tranche per year from which the fees will be covered and the balance disbursed.

We aim to attract exceptional scholars who are academically capable and are committed to serving South Africa and the continent in the environmental and development field.

As the Centre of Excellence (CoE) Secretariat and Southern African regional hub for the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Centre of Excellence in Climate & Development (ARUA-CD), the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) will host the student.

The applicant must have a background in climate change and/or development studies and research and a keen interest in undertaking inter- and transdisciplinary research that cuts across both academic disciplines and academia and society. They must also be open to undertake research in partner ARUA-CD countries in Africa. Applicants are invited to visit the ACDI website for more information on the wide range of research themes that are applicable.

Eligibility criteria

• Black, Coloured or Indian South African citizen

• Research interests in climate change and development, including climate and health, climate and ecosystems, climate risk and adaptation, climate mitigation and energy systems, and climate governance and policy, amongst others,

• A Masters degree in either natural (e.g. environmental sciences, life sciences, health sciences), social (e.g. environmental studies) or engineering sciences (e.g. worked in energy systems, water management) with a strong focus on climate change and sustainability concerns.

• History of social engagement or service related to environmental concerns

Selection process

• Only eligible and complete applications will be considered by the selection committee.

• Interviews will take place once candidates have been shortlisted and proof of UCT acceptance has been given.

Application requirements

Applicants should submit:

• An application letter that includes a short description of their expertise, research interests, and community engagement experience;

• A short 3-5 page concept note on a topic of climate change and development research that they wish to pursue in their studies (if the applicant has engaged with a potential supervisor please include details);

• A CV including a publication list;

• Copies of academic transcripts and/or certificates.

All submissions should be merged into a single PDF application, and applications should be emailed to Professor Sheona Shackleton.

Conditions of the award

• Acceptance for study at UCT

• Acceptance into a 3-year supervised ACDI PhD programme (by dissertation)

• Identification of a topic and supervisor for this topic amongst ACDI staff and partners

• Satisfactory attendance and progress in the programme, including annual progress report by student and supervisor

Please note: The university reserves the right to cancel or withdraw the award if the recipient does not comply with the stated conditions of the award. The scholarship award is conditional on acceptance to the University of Cape Town. More information on the process of application can be found on the ACDI website.

Applications

The closing date for submitting your completed ARUA-CD Scholarship Application Form with all supporting documents is 31 August 2019. No late, incomplete or inappropriate applications will be accepted.

Applications received before 31 August 2019 are guaranteed to be considered. Applications received thereafter may be considered if the position has not been filled.

Enquiries about WUN and ARUA-CD: Professor Sheona Shackleton at sheona.shackleton@uct.ac.za

Additional information on ACDI and UCT 

The University of Cape Town reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications. The University of Cape Town also reserves the right to change the conditions of the award or to make no awards at all.

Deadline: 31 August 2019 

We invite black South Africans interested in completing the 2020 ACDI Master’s in Climate Change and Development to apply for an ARUA-CD scholarship. The scholarship has a value of R150,000 from which the fees will be covered and the balance disbursed in three tranches:

• R70 000 upon registration (year one)
• R30 000 in July 2020 (year one), and
• R50 000 in November 2020 (if submission of dissertation is in year one), OR in January 2021 (if submission of dissertation is in year two).

Read more about the ARUA Centres of Excellence.

We aim to attract exceptional scholars who are academically capable and are committed to serving South Africa in the environmental and development fields. The application process will be highly competitive.

Eligibility for the scholarship

• Completed application for ACDI Master’s in Climate Change and Development by Coursework

• Black, Coloured or  Indian South African citizen

• Research interests aligned with the ACDI programme

• Hold an Honours degree or SAQA NQF Level 8 equivalent

• History of social engagement or service related to environmental concerns

If you are eligible, please complete the ARUA-CD Scholarship Application Form.

Ineligibility for funding

• Students who are employed full-time are ineligible

• Students who hold total income from any/all sources in excess of R230 000 are ineligible.

• Students registering for a second master’s degree are ineligible

Conditions of the award

• Acceptance into 1-year ACDI master’s coursework programme

• Acceptance for study at UCT.

• Satisfactory attendance and progress in the programme

The university reserves the right to cancel or withdraw the award if the recipient does not comply with the stated conditions of the award.

The closing date for submitting your completed scholarship application form with all supporting documents is 31 August 2019. No late, incomplete or inappropriate applications will be accepted.

Please contact the course convener for further enquiries, contact Marieke Norton.

Additional information on ACDI and UCT 

The University of Cape Town reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications. The University of Cape Town also reserves the right to change the conditions of the award or to make no awards at all.

Deadline: 31 August 2019 

We invite black South Africans interested in completing a Masters by Dissertation with a focus in climate change and development (2020 and 2021) to apply for an ARUA-CD 2-year scholarship.

The scholarship has a value of R300,000 over 2 years (i.e., R150 000 per year; 2^nd year renewal depends on satisfactory progress report), from which the fees will be covered and the balance disbursed in two tranches per year (2020 and 2021).

Read more about the ARUA Centres of Excellence.

We aim to attract exceptional scholars who are academically capable and are committed to serving South Africa in the environmental and development fields. The application process will be highly competitive.

Eligibility for the scholarship

• Completed application for EGS Dissertation Master’s with a focus in climate change and development

• Black, Coloured, Indian

• South African citizen

• Research interests in climate change and development, including climate and health/ ecosystem services, risk, energy

• Holding an Honours degree or SAQA NQF Level 8 equivalent

• History of social engagement or service related to environmental concerns

If you are eligible, please complete the ARUA-CD Scholarship Application Form.

Ineligibility for funding

• Students who are employed full-time are ineligible

• Students who hold total income from any/all sources in excess of R230 000 are ineligible

• Students registering for a second master’s degree are ineligible

Conditions of the award

• Acceptance into 2-year ACDI dissertation master’s programme

• Acceptance for study at UCT

• Satisfactory attendance and progress in the programme, including annual progress report by student and supervisor

Please note: university reserves the right to cancel or withdraw the award if the recipient does not comply with the stated conditions of the award.

Closing date: 31 August 2019

The closing date for submitting your completed scholarship application form with all supporting documents is 31 August 2019. No late, incomplete or inappropriate applications will be accepted.

Please contact the course convener for further enquiries, contact Marieke Norton.

Additional information on ACDI and UCT 

The University of Cape Town reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications. The University of Cape Town also reserves the right to change the conditions of the award or to make no awards at all.

Deadline: Until position is filled

The ACDI is seeking up to two Postdoctoral Research Fellows (PDRFs) to join a research team working on a Future Leaders–African Independent Research (FLAIR) project on climate change risks to biodiversity and ecosystem services.

PDRFs will be highly motivated to work as part of an interdisciplinary research team, grow their research expertise, engage policymakers and generate peer-reviewed publications in a critically important research area. Additionally, there is the opportunity to join the team working on climate change impacts and adaptation in Africa for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) 6th Assessment Report, due in 2021.

PDRF project research is flexible within three broad objectives:

1. Forecasting the spatial and temporal dynamics of biodiversity disruption from climate change at the species and/or community level;
2. using existing trait, phylogenetic and species range databases to map relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem services across Africa and predict how these might change due to climate change;
3. predicting the potential for evolution to rescue species from climate change.

These PDRFs are an excellent opportunity for those who want to push forward the frontiers in biodiversity, ecological and evolutionary analyses at large spatial scales, considering climate change. Research can exploit existing global or South African biodiversity data on vertebrates or plants, or both, including high-resolution species range maps, repeat surveys of bird species, phylogenetic data and comprehensive trait datasets. Candidates will be encouraged to develop and pursue their own work within the broad goals of the research team.

The ultimate goal of the broader project is to interlink the three objectives listed above to provide improved forecasting to decision-makers of climate change risks to the multiple dimensions of biodiversity underpinning ecosystem services across Africa.

The PDRFs will be advised by Dr Christopher Trisos, Dr Mark New and Dr Res Altwegg, and will have joint affiliation with ACDI and the Centre for Statistics in Ecology, the Environment and Conservation. PDRFs will be given the necessary resources for their work: desk and office space, IT and communication infrastructure and may participate in Emerging Researcher Programme (ERP) and other supportive training at UCT for early career researchers.

Qualifications, experience and skill criteria:

Required

• A PhD, awarded within the previous five years, related to the topic of biodiversity, climate change, evolutionary ecology, ecosystem services, climate change adaptation (specifically ecosystem based adaptation / ecological infrastructure).
• Demonstrated ability to produce peer-reviewed research articles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Desire and ability to work in an interdisciplinary research team setting.
• Demonstrated ability to code in R and/or Python, including analysis of biodiversity, climate or other geospatial datasets.

Desirable

• Phylogenetic analysis, species distribution modelling, machine learning.
• Interest and experience in engagement with policymakers.
• Interest in public communication of science.
• Experience working in remote collaborations using GitHub and RStudio.
• Experience working with climate data analysis software such as CDO for spatial and temporal analysis of climate data.

Value and tenure:

• The value of the fellowship is ZAR 250,000-300,000 per year for 2 years.
• Application for tax exemption will be made by the University.

Conditions of award:

• Applicants may not previously have held a full-time permanent academic post.
• No benefits or allowances are included in the Fellowship, but the fellowship stipend is tax free.
• The successful applicant will be required to register as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Cape Town and will be expected to commence the required research at a mutually agreed date that is no later than 1 October 2019.
• The successful applicant will be required to comply with the university's approved policies, procedures and practices for the postdoctoral sector.

Application requirements:

Applicants should submit:

1. An application letter no longer than 2 pages that includes a description of research interests, research expertise, and suggestion for how they can work towards one or more of the broad project objectives;
2. a CV including a publication list;
3. copies of academic transcripts and/or certificates;
4. an example of written work;
5. email addresses of two references who have been directly involved in their PhD and/or previous postdoctoral research.

Selection process:

• Only eligible and complete applications will be considered for selection.
• Eligible and complete applications will be considered by the ACDI and we will communicate with short-listed applicants. If you have not heard within two months of the deadline, please assume your application has been unsuccessful
• Interviews will take place during late June and early July 2019 and the successful candidate is expected to start as soon as possible thereafter.

Closing date:

Applications received before 14 June 2019 are guaranteed to be considered. Applications received thereafter may be considered if the position has not been filled.

• Contact for application submissions: Rabia Karriem (rabia.karriem@uct.ac.za)
• Contact for enquiries about the fellowship topic and ACDI: Christopher Trisos (christophertrisos@gmail.com)
• Additional information on ACDI, SEEC and UCT.

The University of Cape Town reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications. The University of Cape Town also reserves the right to change the conditions of the award or to make no awards at all.