Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at North West University

Job description

• The IKS Centre plays a critical role in contributing towards the sustainable community livelihoods through knowledge and products generated by unlocking the potential of IKS and promoting the recognition, development, protection and affirmation of the role of IK in the global knowledge economy (https://natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za/indigenous-knowledge-systems-centre/home).
• The IKS Centre focuses on multi-disciplinary research and actively collaborate with the Postharvest and Agroprocessing Research Centre, Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg and Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Pretoria. We currently have a project that is exploring Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Agriculture especially the use of South African plants for the protection and preservation of crops and looking for a post-doctoral research fellow to join us.
• This is a full-time Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF, 1 Position) funded through the NWU Post-Doctoral Programme.
• The fellowship carries a value of R250 000 (tax-free) per annum. The PDF should commence by SEPTMEBER 2025.
• This is a one-year position, but the contract can be extended for up to two, subject to satisfactory performance during the previous year.
• The PDF will be based in Mahikeng, Pretoria and Johannesburg at different phases of the project.

Key responsibilities:

• Play an active role as an investigator in all aspects of the research project.
• Lead at least 2 papers/annum published in international accredited peer-review journals.
• Assist in capacity development at the NWU- through active interaction, co-supervision and collaboration with post-graduate students and interns.

Minimum requirements

• A PhD degree (obtained in the last five years) in a discipline related to Indigenous Knowledge Systems (medicinal plant research) and related fields in Ethnobotany, Ethnopharmacology.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with a minimum of three (3) ISI rated publications in a relevant discipline as well as presentations at national and/or international conferences.
• Physical ability to conduct laboratory and fieldwork.
• Ability to work independently.

Apply by: 15  August 2025