Postdoctoral Fellowships South African Biosystematics Initiative

September 14, 2008

Sponsored Links

Career Blog

The Wisconsin Idea Scholarship, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Online Distance Learning Courses for International Students

The National Research Foundation (NRF) on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is offering SABI (South African Biosystematics Initiative) Postdoctoral Fellowships. The South African Biosystematics Initiative (SABI) was developed to significantly enhance South Africa’s capacity to undertake research in biosystematics, thereby establishing a skills base and information platform at the foundation of all scientific endeavour in the life sciences, such that the full potential of South Africa’s unique biological resources can be realised and afeguarded for the future benefit of all.

SABI is funded by the Department of Science and technology (DST) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF). The total award per annum is up to R170,000. All fellows must be based at a museum in South Africa.

Purpose of SABI: The purpose of SABI is to provide a framework and strategy to:

• Address dwindling national capacity in biological systematics and taxonomy.
• Provide leadership and co-ordination to promote innovative research in the field of systematics.
• Empower South African systematists to employ and develop modern scientific technologies and approaches with regard to the documentation and use of biological resources.
• Enhance the ability of South African systematics to contribute to the National System of Innovation and the information society, and thus to respond to national priorities in agriculture, health, sustainable development and conservation.
• To assist the broader scientific community and government in the fulfilment of national and global biodiversity-related commitments.
• To promote awareness of the importance of systematics research in the broader community through education and outreach projects.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants:
• should have received their doctoral degrees within a period not exceeding five years prior to application
• should preferably not have held an established teaching post in an institution of higher learning
• should not be a full time employee of higher education institutions, museum or any other resarch institution

All applications must be submitted through e-mail/fax to Mr Frank Mazibuko at fmazibuko@nrf.ac.za or 086 692 9753 / 012 481 4005.

NB! The applicant and all references must make sure their CVs are fully updated in the NRF Online system. These will be used in the assessment process.

Required documentation:
• Completed application form
• The full CV of the applicant completed on the NRF Online system (http://nrfonline.nrf.ac.za/)
• Proof of doctorial degree
• Three reference letters
• Letters of support from the host institution i.e. the museum and from the proposed university of registration – which indicate their commitment to provide the necessary infrastructural support (e.g. office, computer and laboratory facilities etc)
• Supervisor’s support (a letter of support from the supervisor indicating his/her agreement to supervise the post doc) Should you encounter online problems, please contact NRF support at supportdesk@nrf.ac.za.

The closing date for all applications for this round is 15 October 2008. Please visit the NRF web site at http://www.nrf.ac.za from time to time for updated information.

Conditions of award: The following grant conditions, among others, must be accepted before the award will be honoured.

1. The grant can only be used for the stated purpose
2. The award is made according to the NRF’s standard financial and grant policies.

Incomplete submissions will not be considered by the selection committee. Late applications will not be considered.

Further Scholarship Information

Scholarship Tags: African, Biology, Biosystematics, Fellowships, initiative, Postdoctoral, South