Apply now for the Fully Funded Postdoctoral Researcher Programme in Climate and Development at the University of Cape Town

Apply now for the Fully Funded Postdoctoral Researcher Programme in Climate and Development at the University of Cape Town. The three-year programme offers 10 fellowships for eligible African PhD graduates, with tax-free annual stipends of R380,000.

Background & Job Description

The University of Cape Town’s Africa Climate Collaborative invites applications for its Postdoctoral Researcher Programme in Climate and Development. The three-year programme aims to help recent African PhD graduates develop independent research careers through mentorship and structured researcher development training.

The programme offers 10 fully funded fellowships, with successful applicants based in the department or research laboratory of their primary UCT mentor.

Benefits

Successful fellows will receive:

R380,000 per year in tax-free stipend payments.
An additional R130,000 over three years, subject to suitable motivation, for relocation, medical insurance, research expenses and conference attendance.
Guidance from experienced University of Cape Town researchers.
Structured professional development and peer learning.

Qualifications (Education and Certification, Experience)

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Hold a completed PhD in a discipline relevant to climate and development in Africa and the selected research topic.
Be a citizen of an African country. African applicants living outside the continent may also apply.
Have graduated within the previous 36 months.
Applicants under 35 years of age as of 1 February 2027 will receive preference.
Apply for only one of the 11 advertised research topics and meet its specific disciplinary requirements.

Women and applicants with lived experience of displacement or disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

The research topics cover areas such as climate adaptation, renewable energy, energy justice, coastal ecosystems, climate-related health impacts, agriculture, governance and green industrialisation.

Required application documents include:

A CV of no more than five pages, including three referees.
A sample of academic or research writing.
Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD academic transcripts.
A letter of motivation.
A copy of a national ID or passport.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should review the available research topics and submit all required documents through the official application portal.

Application deadline: 29 October 2026 at 23:00 South African Standard Time (SAST).

Apply here: https://acdi.uct.ac.za/africaclimatecollaborative/apply-pdrf-fellowship

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many fellowships are available?

The programme offers 10 fully funded postdoctoral fellowships.

2. How much is the annual stipend?

Successful fellows receive a tax-free stipend of R380,000 per year.

3. Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must be citizens of African countries, hold a relevant PhD and have graduated within the previous 36 months.

4. Can I apply for multiple research topics?

No. Applicants must select only one of the 11 listed research topics. Multiple applications may result in disqualification.

5. What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 29 October 2026 at 23:00 SAST.

6. Where can I apply?

Applications must be submitted through the official University of Cape Town portal: https://acdi.uct.ac.za/africaclimatecollaborative/apply-pdrf-fellowship

Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares this opportunity for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the University of Cape Town or the Africa Climate Collaborative. Applicants should consult the official programme website for complete requirements and updates.

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