Postdoctoral Research Fellowship - Politics and Cultural Studies Limpopo

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:-

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Politics and Cultural Studies at the University of Limpopo involves conducting interdisciplinary research on topics such as indigenous health care, politics, and climate change, with a focus on culture and local knowledge systems. The successful candidate will design and execute a research plan, produce scholarly outputs, engage in fieldwork, and contribute to postgraduate mentorship and research culture initiatives. Essential qualifications include a recent PhD in a relevant field, evidence of research productivity, and proficiency in various research methodologies.

Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship - Politics and Cultural Studies

Company: University of Limpopo

Description

This postdoctoral research fellowship is an opportunity to work within the realm of Politics and Cultural Studies for a period of two years, under a fixed contract that is subject to annual performance reviews. The fellowship provides a tax-free stipend of R300 000 per annum.

Minimum Requirements

Candidates must fulfill the following criteria

• Hold a PhD (NQF Level 10) in Anthropology, Sociology, Development Studies, Human Ecology, African Studies, Governance and Development, or a closely related discipline, ideally completed within the last five years. - Present evidence of research productivity, including peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, scholarly edited outputs, and/or manuscripts under consideration in relevant fields. - Demonstrate a keen interest in at least two of these areas: culture, indigenous health care, politics, food and water security, climate change perceptions and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, intangible cultural heritage, and indigenous and local knowledge systems. - Possess proficiency in qualitative, participatory, ethnographic, interdisciplinary, and/or community-engaged research methodologies. - Exhibit strong written and oral communication skills, along with adeptness in computer and data management, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively within interdisciplinary research teams. - Be capable of generating publishable research outputs and contributing to postgraduate mentorship, seminars, workshops, and research culture initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional advantages include

• Experience conducting fieldwork with rural communities, indigenous knowledge holders, farmers, traditional health practitioners, local authorities, civil society actors, climate-affected communities, or biodiversity and natural-resource stakeholders. - A publication record or active manuscripts on aspects of culture, including indigenous health care, politics, food and water security, climate change perceptions and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, intangible cultural heritage, and indigenous and local knowledge systems. - Experience in Limpopo Province, South Africa, and/or comparable Southern African field sites. - Expertise in grant proposal writing, externally funded research projects, academic editing, special issues, edited books, conference organization, or international collaboration. - Experience supporting postgraduate students in research topic development, academic writing, publication planning, qualitative methods training, teaching, supervision or co-supervision. - Ability to contribute to policy briefs, community reports, biodiversity literacy materials, field guides, atlases, public-facing research outputs, and stakeholder workshops.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful Fellow will

• Design and execute an independent postdoctoral research plan that aligns with Prof Rankoana's niche area and the University's research priorities. - Conduct high-quality, interdisciplinary research on aspects of culture, including indigenous health care, politics, food and water security, climate change perceptions and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, intangible cultural heritage, and indigenous and local knowledge systems. - Produce peer-reviewed publications in DHET-accredited and reputable international journals, as well as scholarly books and/or edited collections. - Engage in empirical fieldwork and community-engaged research in Limpopo Province, South Africa, and/or comparable Southern African settings. - Document and analyze indigenous and local knowledge, intangible cultural heritage, medicinal plant use, cultural resources, local conservation practices, climate change perceptions, politics, food and water security concerns, health vulnerabilities, and community adaptation strategies. - Contribute to research ethics applications, data collection and management, qualitative analysis, reporting, and responsible knowledge sharing. - Support the development of grant proposals, research fundraising, and national, regional, and international collaborations. - Assist with postgraduate supervision, mentorship, writing retreats, methods workshops, publication planning, and seminars that promote a strong research culture. - Contribute to knowledge translation outputs, including policy briefs, community reports, biodiversity literacy materials, field guides, atlases, public lectures, and conference presentations. - Represent the research niche area at academic forums, conferences, and stakeholder engagements, where appropriate.

Expected Outputs

During the fellowship, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Produce at least 4 accredited journal publications over the two-year fellowship. - Present several conference presentations at national and international scientific meetings. - Submit at least one competitive external research grant application. - Deliver research reports for stakeholders. - Contribute to postgraduate student supervision and capacity development. - Co-author collaborative publications with the host supervisor and research team. - Participate in multidisciplinary research projects within the Faculty and University.