The Department of Chemistry at the University of the Western Cape is inviting applications for the position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Full-time Doctoral candidate within the Sensor Laboratory (SensorLab) research group.

The successful candidates will be required to register at the University of the Western Cape, and will work on a 3-year project related to electrochemical biosensor development funded by the South African Medical Research Council Research Capacity Development Initiative (SAMRC-RCDI).

Scope of the Research

The intended research project focuses on the development and understanding of specific aspects related to the early-detection of SARS-CoV-2 by electrochemiluminescent, aptamer-based electrochemical biosensors and its related synthesis, fabrication, characterisation and testing.
 

Postdoctoral Research Fellow:

The Research fellow will have or be required to:

• Specific experience in electrochemical biosensor development, including fabrication, testing, techniques of product analysis, nanomaterials preparation and characterisation. Candidates with experience in aptasensors and analytical chemistry will be given preference.
• Be well-versed in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) to assist in the set-up, operation and maintenance of the ECL system.
• As part of the successful incumbent’s professional development, assistance with the supervision of relevant undergraduate and post-graduate research projects may be required.
• Assist with the identification of further research opportunities and initiate new post-graduate research projects.
• Participate in a career development and mentorship program to establish the fellow as a future leader in the field.

In addition, the successful candidate will be encouraged to conduct their self-initiated research during the fellowship tenure under the supervision of Dr Keagan Pokpas and Prof. Fanelwa Ajayi, participate in research-related training and expected to register as a postdoctoral fellow by no later than 1 November 2021.

Tenure and Value
The fellowship is valued at R350 000 per annum and does not include any fringe benefits. The RCDI-Research Fellow will be appointed as a researcher for one-year renewable up to three years, subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds. Fellows will be obliged to spend 80% of their time on the RCDI project, and 20% on career development. The University makes an application to the SARS for tax exemption on behalf of the successful candidate.

Conditions of Award

• Eligible applicants must be a South African citizen or permanent resident with a valid SA identity document or passport, younger than 40 years (applicants over 40 years need a strong motivation and Post-PhD experience less than 3 years).
• Hold a PhD degree in Electrochemistry, analytical chemistry or any other related qualification.
• The PhD must have been granted within the past five years or provide satisfactory evidence that the PhD thesis has been submitted for examination should be provided.
• Women and disabled individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to candidates from the historically disadvantaged group.
• The successful candidate will be required to register as a Postdoctoral fellow at the University of the Western Cape.
• All registered postdoctoral research Fellows are required to comply with the University’s approved policies, procedures, and practices of the postdoctoral sector.
• Applicants may not currently full-time permanent professional or academic positions.

Doctoral Scholarship:

Value and Duration of the Award
The value of the scholarship is R200 000.00 per annum. Renewal of the funding for each year will be subject to receipt of satisfactory progress reports.

Eligibility:

• The candidates must be South African citizen.
• Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in a chemistry or health/medical science-related research field and be willing to register for a full-time PhD in 2022.
• Disabled individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Preference will be given to candidates from the historically disadvantaged group.

Application procedure:
Suitable candidates are required to provide the following:

• A letter of application expressing research experience and interests.
• A certified copy of all academic transcripts.
• A full CV, including publications; and
• Names and addresses of at least two academic referees with whom the applicant has worked.

Eligible and complete applications for consideration must be submitted via email to kpokpas@uwc.ac.za by no later than 17h00 on Sunday, 10 October 2021.

The university reserves the right to:

• disqualify ineligible, incomplete and inappropriate applications
• change the conditions of award or to make no awards at all