There are always opportunities for enthusiastic and motivated postgraduate students and postdoctoral research fellows and many opportunities exist to obtain stipends and fellowships. Contact Sophie von der Heyden at svdh(at)sun.ac.za for more details.
Note that the major funding opportunities usually have deadlines towards early in the year (by the end of May - July), so be sure to make contact well before. ------------
Postdoctoral fellowship in Nature Based Solutions: Blue carbon ecosystems in South Africa Applications are open for a full-time, two-year postdoctoral position to be hosted by the von der Heyden lab at the School of Climate Studies and the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. The successful fellow will take on a leading role in projects that seek to build technical, theoretical, and applied aspects around measuring carbon from vegetated coastal ecosystems in South Africa, with a specific focus on seagrass. This project is in collaboration with Nelson Mandela University. Qualifications and experience: Applicant should have obtained their PhD within the last 5 years. Preference will be given to applicants with a strong background in the quantification of blue carbon from coastal ecosystems, specifically with a focus on South Africa and we welcome applicants who have both field and analytical experience of blue carbon and associated data. Applicants should have at least three peer-reviewed outputs (at least to ‘in review’) in international, ISI-accredited journals; the outputs need to demonstrate senior/lead authorship with a strong focus on blue carbon in aquatic environments, particularly seagrass meadows. A valid driver’s license is a requirement due to the extensive field work along the South African coastline. Applicants should be motivated, independent, and willing to engage and mentor postgraduate students at several levels (ranging from Honours to PhD), as well as be willing and able to work in remote environments. Experience with student supervision is preferred, as is a demonstration of teaching at undergraduate level.
Responsibilities: We are looking for individuals that are able to work independently, but also have proven leadership skills. Applicants are required to be highly collaborative and be able to plan and lead field trips, as well as analyse data, writing and publication of peer-reviewed articles, presentations at national and international conferences, and science communication initiatives. The postdoctoral fellow will be required to take the lead in funding procurement and to explore additional networking opportunities. Mentorship and some teaching opportunities will be possible for the successful fellow depending on level of experience. Duration and remuneration: This is a two-year position, starting in early 2024. A competitive stipend accompanies this position. Background: The postdoctoral fellow will be based at the von der Heyden Lab at Stellenbosch University, one of Africa’s leading aquatic (marine, estuarine and freshwater) research groups specializing in the use of molecular tools to understand patterns and processes driving southern Africa’s rich marine biodiversity. We are home to ‘Project Seastore’, a collaborative project working on the conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows in South Africa. We are a dynamic lab, with a strong emphasis on research excellence as well as student training and support. You can find out more about the von der Heyden lab and marine research at Stellenbosch University here: www.vonderheydenlab.com, via FaceBook: www.facebook.com/vonderheydenlab or on Twitter: @vonderheydenlab.
The vdH lab is housed in the Department of Botany and Zoology at the University of Stellenbosch and is affiliated with the School of Climate Studies. This university is one of the top-ranked in the southern Hemisphere, with strong undergraduate and postgraduate training and research. Stellenbosch is a historical, safe and vibrant community surrounded by magnificent mountains, close to the sea. Find out more at www.sun.ac.za. Queries and applications: Please direct all enquiries to Prof. Sophie von der Heyden (svdh@sun.ac.za). In order to apply, please submit (1) a detailed CV with all relevant experience including publications and conference attendance, (2) three contactable referees, (3) a letter of motivation. We are committed to supporting candidates based on excellence as well as equity.