Carnegie/University of Cape Town Postdoctoral and Early-Career Research Fellowships 2017

The Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) is offering Postdoctoral and Early-Career Fellowships to fund African research.

Application Deadline: 23rd May 2017

Eligible Countries: All African countries

To be taken at (country): University of Cape Town, South Africa

About the Award: The Carnegie Corporation has provided the University of Cape Town (UCT) with a grant to strengthen research leadership capacity in Africa through funding support for African scientists. Research Fellowships are being offered to support seven (7) Postdoctoral Fellows and four (4) Early-Career Researchers, to undertake infectious disease research projects affiliated with UCT’s Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM). The intention is to develop a cohort of emerging academics and provide support for those transitioning to independent academic scientist positions so as to grow the next generation of academics and strengthen higher education in Africa.

Type: Fellowship

Eligibility: 

Postdoctoral Fellowships: Applications for the Postdoctoral Fellowships are invited from candidates who:

• • have previously been awarded a Carnegie PhD or Postdoctoral Fellowship through the Next Generation of Academics in Africa (NGAA) programme;
• • are a national of any African country;
• • achieved their doctoral degree no more than 5 years ago and/or have completed no more than 2 years of postdoctoral training; and
• • are currently registered or intend to register as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UCT, linked* to the IDM.

Conditions of Award: Successful candidates will be required to:

• • register as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UCT, linked* to the IDM;
• • enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with her/his Sponsor and adhere to the plans and agreements therein; and
• • comply with the UCT’s approved policies, procedures, and practices for the postdoctoral sector

Early-Career Fellowships: Applications for the Early-Career Fellowships are invited from candidates who:

• • have previously been awarded a Carnegie PhD or Postdoctoral Fellowship through the Next Generation of Academics in Africa (NGAA) programme;
• • are a national of any African country; and
• • currently hold, or are eligible to be awarded* , a full-time employment contract at UCT, linked** to the IDM, for the duration of the award.

Conditions of Early-Career Fellowship Award:  Successful candidates will be required to:

• • enter into a full-time contract academic appointment at UCT, linked* to the IDM;
• • enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with her/his Sponsor and adhere to the plans and agreements therein; and
• • comply with the UCT’s approved policies, procedures, and practices for the academic sector

Selection Criteria: 

Postdoctoral Fellowships: Applicants applying for their first Postdoctoral Fellowship must have graduated with a Doctoral degree or have submitted a Doctoral thesis for examination (proof of submission required). Existing Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellows can extend their current fellowship up to a maximum of 5 years, or register for a second senior Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Early-Career Fellowships: Applicants for the Early-Career Fellowships are expected to have started making important research contributions and begun to drive their own research (usually evidenced by publications), but require additional support to lead their own independent research group. For these candidates, a minimum of two years’ postdoctoral experience is required, except in the case of clinician scientists – we encourage applications from clinicians who hold, or do not yet hold, a PhD, with the latter on the understanding that they would register for a PhD. Applications will be assessed based on the candidate’s vision, their specific research plan, and its innovation/novelty. Awards will be made based on excellence of the ideas and evidence of appropriate support structures.

Number of Awards:  seven (7) Postdoctoral Fellows and four (4) Early-Career Researchers

Value and Duration of Program: The Postdoctoral Fellowships are valued at R250,000 p/a and the Early-Career Fellowships at R500,000 p/a. Fellowships are initially awarded for one (1) year, and are renewable up to three (3) years total, subject to satisfactory academic progress, compliance with the conditions of award, and on the availability of funds.

How to Apply: Applicants are required to submit:

• • a completed application form (see below);
• • PhD certificate or equivalent documentation (including proof of MBChB where applicable)

Enquiries and requests for application forms should be directed to Ms Jacqui Steadman (Email: jacqui.steadman@uct.ac.za). Completed applications are to be submitted to the same no later than Friday 23 May 2017.

Visit Program Webpage for details

Award Provider:  Carnegie Corporation

Important Notes: The Carnegie Corporation funding is aimed at advancing equity. For these awards, we will therefore seek particularly to attract black South Africans and candidates from other African countries.