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:
- Computer programming/scripting skills for data processing, analysis and modelling
- Hydrological modelling (preferably detailed experience with MIKE-SHE)
- 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 :
- An application letter that includes a short description of their expertise and research interests, and how these relate to the position.
- A CV including a publication list.
- Copies of the most recent academic transcripts and/or certificates.
- 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
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Only eligible and complete applications will be considered by the selection committee.
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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