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Photo Ashraf Hendricks/CoE-FS.

The DSTI–NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS), hosted by the University of the Western Cape and co-hosted by the University of Pretoria, invites applications from a PhD graduate in the social sciences or selected disciplines within the Humanities for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for 2026.

The CoE-FS is a research centre that advances interdisciplinary research, capacity development, and policy engagement to support the transformation of food systems in South Africa and beyond.

The thematic focus is on governance, power relations, and implementation processes that shape food system transformation, emphasising critical and interdisciplinary food systems analysis.

The postdoctoral Fellow will conduct research aligned with the thematic area described above and will undertake the fellowship in accordance with DSTI-NRF postdoctoral fellowship requirements.

Eligible applicants are required to:

• Hold a doctoral degree obtained within the last five years
• Be a PhD graduate in any social science discipline, or in a relevant humanities discipline where research intersects with food systems
• Demonstrate a clear research focus on food systems analysis, including governance, political economy, inequality, sustainability transitions, livelihoods, policy processes, or related themes
• Not be permanently employed
• Undertake the fellowship on a full-time basis
• Comply with all applicable NRF funding requirements
• Meet DSTI-NRF and the CoE-FS reporting and performance obligations.

Duration and value

The fellowship will be awarded for one year, with the possibility of extension for an additional year, subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.

The fellowship value will be in accordance with DSTI-NRF postdoctoral funding guidelines.

Application procedure

Eligible candidates should provide the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae, including publication list and two academic referees
2. Research proposal of a maximum of 500 words clearly outlining the research question, conceptual framing, methodological approach, and contribution to food systems analysis and governance scholarship
3. Declaration on generative AI use. Applicants must declare whether generative AI tools were used in preparing the proposal and explain the extent and rationale for such use. The intellectual content must remain the applicant’s own work.

Application process

Closing date: The closing date for this application is 25 March 2026.

Applications must be submitted electronically to foodsecurity@uwc.ac.za with the subject line: “Postdoctoral Fellowship – Governance”.

Any enquiries regarding this call may be directed to Dr Elaine Sinden at foodsecurity@uwc.ac.za/esinden@uwc.ac.za

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The CoE-FS reserves the right not to make an appointment.