Deadline: 2 October 2015
The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in partnership with the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) are inviting scientists for Postdoctoral Fellowship funding instrument from developing countries (other than South Africa) to enable them to pursue postdoctoral research in the natural sciences.
Objectives
The objectives of the NRF-TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowship funding instrument are to:
- Increase the number and quality of postdoctoral research fellows in Africa and other developing countries;
- Foster collaboration in order to increase the supervisory capacity of postdoctoral students and fellows in South Africa and other developing countries;
- Foster scientific and technological cooperation by facilitating brain circulation between countries;
- Attract young scientists and professionals of the highest calibre from developing countries to access world class strategic and applied research opportunities in South Africa in order to advance their professional competitiveness; and
- Support human capacity needs and thus position the developing countries for global competitiveness in scientific and technological fields.
Focus Areas
The NRF-TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowship funding instrument will support fellows to undertake full – time research at any South African public research institution including Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Science Councils and National Research Facilities.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for these fellowships must meet the following criteria:
- Be nationals of a developing country (other than South Africa);
- Mustnot hold any visa for temporary or permanent residency in South Africa or any developed country;
- Must have obtained a PhD degree in a field of natural sciences;
- Apply for the fellowship within five (5) years of having obtained a PhD degree in a field of the natural sciences;
- Be a regular employee in a developing country (other than South Africa) and hold a research assignment there;
- Provide evidence that s/he will return to her/his home country on completion of the fellowship;
- Not take up other assignments during the period of her/his fellowship;
- Provide an official letter from a host South African institution, department or laboratory and motivation from the applicant’s host;
- Proof of knowledge of English is preferable, if language of instruction was not English;
- Present a detailed research project that must be registered and approved by the host institution and provide a letter of support from the prospective host supervisor;
- Be financially responsible for any accompanying family members.
How to apply
Applications may be completed on the NRF Online Submission System at the address given on the website.
Note: Postdoctoral fellows that take up the fellowship for more than one year, are also eligible for a once-off travel grant of up to R25 000, for local travel, and up to R50 000, for international travel.
For more information, please visit Postdoctoral Fellowship.
