Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development (AEERD)
The University of Pretoria (UP) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development (AEERD), specialising in environmental and natural resources economics. Candidates interested in pursuing an academic or professional career in environmental and natural resources economics are encouraged to apply. Knowledge of, and experience in, econometric and quantitative economic and policy analysis, environmental valuation techniques, impact evaluation, energy economics, and natural resources management and institutional governance, will enhance your chance.
The fellowship will enable a recent outstanding doctoral graduate to obtain practical experience in applied research in the Department under the mentorship of established researchers. The fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account the applicants' academic achievements, publication outputs and research potential, as well as the relevance of prior experience and expertise in the field of environmental and natural resources economics. The fellowship is available for a period of one year, renewable for up to three years subject to satisfactory performance and submission of annual progress report.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
✓ Open to all South African and foreign nationals for full-time research at the UP.
✓ Graduated (within the last three years) with a PhD degree in Environmental Economics/Natural Resources Economics, Economics, Agricultural Economics or a relevant discipline within the last three years.
✓ Successful applicants may not hold full-time salaried employment elsewhere during the fellowship.
Successful applicants must be able to relocate to the UP (Hatfield Campus) for the duration of the fellowship.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO:
✓ Conduct innovative research in either one or more of the following research areas: non-market valuation application to a wide range of topics, including climate change adaptation and mitigation, environmental/natural resources impacts of technology adoption, the economics of water use and governance, sustainable food systems, impact assessment, impacts of government or other development programs/interventions; costs and benefits of climate change adaptation measures, energy transitions; bioeconomic modelling; experimental and behavioural economics; and analysis of ecosystem services,
✓ Author/co-author at least three (3) publication outputs per year in the form of DHET–accredited scholarly journal articles, of which at least one should be in a top environmental economics/natural resources economics journal,
✓ Initiate projects, write project proposals in response to calls and source funding, collect data and coordinate projects, collaborating with colleagues in the Department, Faculty and beyond,
✓ Must be able to work with cross-sectional and panel data sets, implementing qualitative and quantitative research methods,
✓ Knowledge in the application of data analysis tools and software is required, with a focus on R as an added advantage,
✓ Register and reside as a postdoctoral research fellow at UP and participate in relevant research activities of the Department/Faculty,
✓ Contribute to undergrad and postgrad teaching, and
✓ Other duties assigned by the Head of the Department.
VALUE OF THE FELLOWSHIP
✓ R 300,000 annual fellowship
✓ R 50,000 additional research expenses/ year
To apply, please email the following documentation to Prof. E.W. Zegeye: ew.zegeye@up.ac.za
✓ Motivation letter, postdoc research plan (attached form), including a 1 - 2 page outline of relevant expertise and experience
✓ Full CV (UP format attached), including a list of research publications, conference papers and other scholarly output
✓ Certified transcripts of academic records and copy of doctoral degree certificate
✓ Certified copy of ID document (or copy of passport in the case of foreign applicants)
✓ Contact details of two academic referees who have taught/supervised the candidate.
Application closing date: 30 October 2024
Commencement of fellowship: ASAP or 01 January 2025
For further enquiries, please contact the HoD, Prof. Zegeye (ew.zegeye@up.ac.za) or Dr Selma Karuaihe (selma.karuaihe@up.ac.za)