10 Fully Funded Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Climate and Development at the University of Cape Town 2027

Recent African PhD graduates looking to build careers in climate research, sustainable development, environmental policy, health, economics, marine science and related fields have an exciting opportunity to join a fully funded postdoctoral programme at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

The Africa Climate Collaborative (ACC), hosted by the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) at the University of Cape Town (UCT), is inviting applications for 10 fully funded Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Climate and Development.

The fellowships form part of a three-year Postdoctoral Researcher Programme (PRP) designed specifically to support recent African PhD graduates in becoming independent researchers and future research leaders. Fellows will work under the guidance of experienced University of Cape Town researchers while participating in a structured researcher development programme and working alongside a cohort of other early-career African researchers.

The programme combines specialised research, mentorship, professional development and peer learning, giving successful candidates an opportunity to develop research that responds to some of Africa’s most pressing climate and development challenges.

Applications are currently open, and eligible candidates must submit their complete applications by 29 October 2026 at 23:00 South African Standard Time (SAST).

About the Africa Climate Collaborative Postdoctoral Researcher Programme

The Africa Climate Collaborative is a research initiative at the University of Cape Town focused on strengthening African capacity to address climate change and development challenges.

Through its Postdoctoral Researcher Programme, the Collaborative is supporting recently graduated African PhD researchers who are ready to develop independent research careers.

Rather than treating the postdoctoral fellowship simply as an individual research position, the programme uses a cohort-based model. Successful researchers become part of a group of postdoctoral fellows who learn from one another, collaborate and participate in structured professional development throughout the programme.

Each fellow will also be attached to the UCT department or research laboratory of their primary mentor. This gives researchers access to an academic environment where they can continue developing their research expertise while receiving guidance from an experienced researcher.

The programme is intended to help fellows move beyond their doctoral training and develop the independence, research skills and professional experience needed to establish long-term academic and research careers in Africa.

Fellowship Duration

The Postdoctoral Researcher Programme is designed to run for three years.

During this period, fellows will:

• Conduct independent research linked to their selected research topic.
• Work under the guidance of an experienced UCT researcher.
• Become part of a cohort of postdoctoral researchers.
• Participate in peer-learning activities.
• Take part in structured researcher career development training.
• Contribute to research addressing climate and development challenges in African contexts.
• Build experience that can support future academic, research and policy careers.

The combination of research, mentorship and career development makes the programme particularly relevant for researchers who want to establish themselves as independent scholars.

Financial Support and Fellowship Funding

The fellowships are fully funded.

Successful Postdoctoral Research Fellows will receive a tax-free stipend of R380,000 per year.

In addition to the annual stipend, the programme provides up to R130,000 over the three-year fellowship period, subject to suitable motivation. This additional funding can support eligible expenses such as:

• Relocation costs
• Medical insurance
• Research expenses
• Conference attendance

The additional funding is designed to help fellows manage some of the practical costs associated with undertaking research and participating in an international academic environment.

Research and Career Development Opportunities

One of the main features of the programme is that fellows will receive more than financial support.

The programme is designed to help recent PhD graduates transition into independent research careers. Fellows will be exposed to a structured researcher development programme while conducting research under the supervision of an experienced academic.

The cohort structure also creates opportunities for researchers from different disciplinary backgrounds to interact and learn from each other.

The wider Africa Climate Collaborative programme places emphasis on developing African research leadership and supporting researchers who can contribute to climate-smart solutions relevant to the continent.

Research Topics Available

Applicants must select one research topic when applying. The official call contains 11 research topics, and applicants should carefully examine the disciplinary requirements attached to their preferred topic before submitting an application. Applying to more than one topic may result in disqualification.

The research areas cover a broad range of climate and development questions.

1. Climate Change, Surfing Resources and Coastal Communities

One research project examines how climate change could affect Africa’s surfing resources and communities that depend on surf tourism.

The project involves mapping current and emerging surf breaks across Africa and examining the economic importance of surf tourism to local communities.

Researchers will investigate projected changes in factors such as wind patterns, swell conditions and sea-level rise, and assess how these changes could affect the quality and persistence of surf breaks.

The research will also involve community-based assessments at representative surf tourism destinations to understand perceptions of climate risk, barriers to adaptation and opportunities for building climate-resilient surf economies.

Applicants for this topic should have relevant expertise in areas such as climate science, oceanography, physical geography or related disciplines. Experience working with large climate datasets and scientific programming tools such as Python can be particularly useful.

2. Climate Risk, Marine Ecosystems and Food Provision

Another research area focuses on the relationship between climate change, biodiversity and food provision across South Africa’s major marine ecosystems.

The research will examine climate hazards affecting marine environments, including changes in ocean temperatures and primary productivity.

It will also investigate how climate hazards interact with species distributions and fishing activities, identify vulnerable species and sectors, and explore ways of making climate-risk information more accessible to marine managers and decision-makers.

Relevant backgrounds include marine science, oceanography, environmental science, climate science and related fields. Experience with Python or R, spatial datasets, climate-risk assessment, fisheries science or stakeholder engagement can strengthen an application.

3. Climate Change, Health and the Economic Burden of Hospitalisation

A further project examines the economic consequences of climate-related health impacts.

The research will focus on hospitalisations associated with heat and poor air quality in South Africa, Kenya and Cameroon.

Rather than looking only at the health effects of climate change, the project will examine the economic burden placed on healthcare systems by climate-sensitive hospital admissions.

Researchers may investigate healthcare costs, differences between countries, seasonal patterns, disease profiles and potential costs that could be avoided through effective climate adaptation and heat- and air-quality interventions.

This research area is particularly relevant to candidates with backgrounds in:

• Health economics
• Economics
• Environmental and climate economics
• Environmental health
• Epidemiology
• Public health
• Biostatistics
• Health systems research

Strong quantitative skills and experience with statistical programming, large datasets, healthcare costing, economic evaluation or environmental exposure data can be advantageous.

4. Climate Adaptation and Smallholder Farmers

Another research topic focuses on the gap between climate-risk awareness and actual adaptation among smallholder farmers in Africa.

The project recognises that farmers exposed to similar climate conditions can respond differently to the same information or adaptation opportunities.

The research will examine factors such as perceptions of risk, emotions, trust, agency and behavioural differences. It will investigate whether climate information and adaptation advice can be designed around these differences to encourage more effective adaptation.

Candidates with experience in behavioural research and randomised controlled trials may be particularly suited to this research topic.

5. Climate-Compatible Industrialisation and Agricultural Modernisation

The programme also includes research examining how African countries can pursue green industrialisation and agricultural modernisation while responding to climate change.

Potential areas include:

• Renewable energy infrastructure
• Agricultural modernisation
• High-value horticultural production
• Green manufacturing
• Green industrial hubs
• Critical minerals
• Agricultural and agri-business value chains
• Green industrial policy
• African structural transformation

Relevant academic backgrounds may include development economics, development studies, environmental studies, agricultural economics, economic geography, environmental economics, energy policy, public policy, climate change and political economy or political science.

Applicants may also benefit from experience in mixed-methods research, quantitative and qualitative analysis, trade and industry data, interviews and communicating research findings to both academic and non-academic audiences.

6. Social Innovation and Climate Adaptation

Another topic investigates how climate-focused social innovations develop and what determines whether they successfully achieve uptake and scale.

The research will examine collaboration, governance, ownership, resources, decision-making, intermediary organisations and support ecosystems.

The project may compare innovations that successfully progressed and achieved wider adoption with those that stalled.

Relevant backgrounds can include climate change and development, sustainability, social innovation, governance, innovation studies and transition studies.

Skills in systems thinking, facilitation, transdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement are also relevant.

7. Governance, Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change

The programme also includes research examining the relationship between the Fourth Industrial Revolution, artificial intelligence, data infrastructure and climate governance.

The project explores how African states can govern AI capabilities and data infrastructure as a knowledge commons while supporting climate commitments involving areas such as energy, water and adaptation.

The research considers the growing resource requirements of AI and data centres while also examining how AI and data can contribute to climate knowledge and decision-making.

Relevant disciplinary backgrounds include:

• Political science
• Sociology
• Economics
• Law
• Science, technology and innovation studies
• Environmental science
• Geography
• Digital and information systems

Strong methodological skills, qualitative or mixed-methods research and network analysis can also be useful.

Applicants should review the official fellowship page for the complete list of research topics, supervisors, disciplinary requirements and topic-specific skills before selecting a project.

Who Can Apply?

The Postdoctoral Researcher Programme has specific eligibility requirements.

Academic Qualification

Applicants must have a completed PhD degree in a discipline relevant to climate and development in Africa.

However, the exact academic background required depends on the research topic selected. Each research project has its own disciplinary requirements, so candidates should make sure that their PhD background and research experience match the topic they intend to apply for.

The programme is therefore not limited to applicants whose PhD is formally titled “Climate Science.” Researchers from fields such as economics, public health, marine science, environmental science, political science and other relevant disciplines may qualify for particular research topics where their background meets the stated requirements.

Citizenship

The fellowship is open to citizens of African countries only.

African applicants who currently live outside the African continent are also eligible to apply.

This means that the programme is designed specifically for African researchers, regardless of whether they are currently based in Africa or abroad.

Age

Preference will be given to applicants who are under 35 years of age as of 1 February 2027.

The programme is aimed primarily at early-career African researchers who have recently completed their doctoral studies.

Recent PhD Graduates

The programme is specifically intended for recent PhD graduates, with eligibility extending to candidates who are up to 36 months post-PhD graduation.

This makes the opportunity particularly suitable for researchers who have recently completed their doctoral studies and are looking for a structured pathway into independent research.

One Research Topic Per Applicant

Each applicant may apply to only one of the available research topics.

Candidates should therefore carefully review the topic descriptions, disciplinary requirements, supervisor information and preferred skills before deciding which project best matches their academic and professional background.

Submitting multiple applications may result in disqualification.

Encouragement for Women and Researchers With Lived Experience of Displacement or Disability

The Africa Climate Collaborative particularly encourages applications from women and candidates with lived experience of displacement or disability.

These groups are specifically encouraged to consider the programme when assessing their eligibility and research fit.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must prepare several documents before submitting their application.

1. Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must submit a CV of no more than five pages.

The CV must include the names and contact details of three referees. At least one of these referees must have supervised the applicant’s PhD dissertation.

Candidates should make sure their CV clearly demonstrates their academic background, research experience, publications where applicable, technical skills and relevance to the selected research topic.

2. Writing Sample

Applicants must provide a sample of previous academic or research writing.

Where possible, the writing sample should come from the applicant’s PhD dissertation.

The sample gives the selection team an opportunity to assess the candidate’s research and academic writing ability.

3. Academic Transcripts

Applicants must provide transcripts for their:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree
• PhD

Successful candidates will subsequently be asked to provide certified copies before the fellowship is confirmed.

4. Letter of Motivation

A letter of motivation is required.

The letter should explain why the applicant is interested in the selected research topic and programme and demonstrate how their academic training, research experience and skills prepare them for the proposed research.

Applicants should make this document specific to the research topic rather than submitting a generic postdoctoral motivation letter.

5. Identification

Applicants must provide a copy of a national identification document or passport.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should first review all available research topics and identify one topic that closely matches their academic discipline, research experience and interests.

After selecting the topic, applicants should prepare the required documentation:

1. A maximum five-page CV with three referees.
2. A previous academic or research writing sample.
3. Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD academic transcripts.
4. A research-focused letter of motivation.
5. A copy of a national ID or passport.

The complete application must then be submitted through the official Africa Climate Collaborative application system.

Applicants should make sure that all required documents are included before submitting the application.

The official application instructions also state that information entered into the application form is not saved or submitted until the applicant clicks the submit button.

View the official Postdoctoral Research Fellowship details and apply

Application Deadline

The deadline for the Africa Climate Collaborative Postdoctoral Research Fellowships is:

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

Applicants should not wait until the final hours to submit their applications. Preparing a strong CV, writing sample, motivation letter and academic documents can take time, particularly for candidates who need to obtain transcripts or contact referees.

Why This Fellowship Could Be Significant for Early-Career African Researchers

The programme offers an opportunity for researchers to continue developing their careers immediately after completing a PhD.

A major advantage is the combination of independent research and structured professional development. Fellows will not simply conduct a research project in isolation. They will become part of a research cohort, work with an experienced UCT researcher and participate in career development activities.

The programme can also provide researchers with experience in interdisciplinary work, which is increasingly relevant to climate and development research.

Climate challenges rarely fit neatly within a single academic discipline. Questions involving climate change can also involve economics, health, agriculture, governance, technology, biodiversity, energy and social development.

The range of research topics within the programme reflects this interdisciplinary approach.

For African researchers seeking to build careers that connect academic research with practical climate and development challenges, the programme provides an opportunity to develop research expertise while contributing to questions with relevance across the continent.

Important Application Tips

Applicants interested in the fellowship should take the following steps before submitting their application:

Carefully Match Your Background to the Topic

Do not select a research topic simply because the title sounds interesting.

Each topic has specific academic and technical requirements. Review the required disciplinary background and skills and make sure your PhD and research experience are relevant.

Choose Only One Topic

The programme requires candidates to apply to a single research topic.

Spend time comparing the available topics before starting the application so that you can make a well-supported choice.

Tailor Your Motivation Letter

Your motivation letter should clearly connect your academic background and research experience to the selected topic.

Explain why your previous research prepares you for the proposed work and what you hope to contribute to the programme.

Prepare a Strong Research Writing Sample

Since the programme is research-focused, applicants should select a writing sample that demonstrates their ability to formulate research questions, analyse evidence and communicate academic findings clearly.

A strong section of a PhD dissertation may be appropriate where it meets the requirements.

Check Your Referees

The CV must include three referees, including at least one person who supervised your PhD dissertation.

Applicants should ensure that their referee information is accurate and current.

Submit Before the Deadline

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

Candidates should allow enough time to check their documents and application before submission.

Official Application Link

Eligible applicants can review the full research topics, eligibility requirements, application documents and submission instructions through the official Africa Climate Collaborative fellowship page.

Applicants can also access the dedicated online application page through the University of Cape Town.

For more fellowship programs visit OFY: https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/category/fellowship/

Conclusion

The Africa Climate Collaborative Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Climate and Development at the University of Cape Town provide an opportunity for recent African PhD graduates to continue developing as independent researchers while working on major climate and development questions affecting the continent.

The three-year programme combines a tax-free annual stipend of R380,000, additional support of up to R130,000 over three years, research mentorship, peer learning and structured researcher career development.

With research topics spanning climate science, marine ecosystems, health economics, smallholder agriculture, green industrialisation, social innovation, governance, artificial intelligence and climate change, the programme can suit researchers from a range of academic backgrounds.

The fellowship is specifically aimed at African citizens with recently completed PhDs, including African researchers currently living outside Africa. Candidates should be under 35 where possible, meet the disciplinary requirements of their chosen topic and apply to only one research area.

Interested researchers should carefully review the official topic descriptions and prepare their application well before the 29 October 2026 at 23:00 SAST deadline.