Position Title:  Principal Research Officer: Economics (Commerce)

PRINCIPAL RESEARCH OFFICER 

(Permanent)

Environmental Economics Policy Research Unit (EPRU)

School of Economics

Faculty of Commerce

The Environmental Policy Research Unit (EPRU) works to enhance environmental and natural resource economics policy-making and support sustainable development and poverty reduction in South and Sub-Saharan Africa. Based at the School of Economics at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and a regional center for the Environment for Development (EfD), EPRU is a leading institution in resource economics in the Global South. It offers a place for academics and postgraduate students to work together to better understand regional environmental and natural resource issues, with education and training central to its mandate with the supervision of Masters and PhD candidates. It offers scholarships and funding and provides extensive infrastructural support to students. Through its outreach efforts, EPRU works to inform policy, connect with other specialists, and promote environmental economics to non-specialists. EPRU is a proud member of the Environment for Development (EfD) network, a global network of environment and development economists who conduct cutting-edge research and academic capacity building and policy interaction in various developing and emerging countries. 

More information about EPRU can be found on their website: https://www.efdinitiative.org/south-africa

EPRU seeks to employ a permanent, full-time Principal Research Officer (PRO). The PRO will lead a global program on Impact Evaluation of Environment and Development Interventions, and will also lead capacity-building initiatives implemented in other Sub-Saharan African countries in collaboration with the EfD Global Hub.

Requirements for the post:

• PhD in Economics with at least 10 years of relevant experience in academia and research
• An outstanding international peer-reviewed academic publication record, with regularly cited articles in top-ranked academic journals, and currently active as a researcher with promising publications in the pipeline
• Record of invitations to present research papers at international universities and keynotes at international conferences
• Very high levels of proficiency in econometrics, experimental and other quantitative methods, with evidence of ability to innovate in this area
• Research focus on environmental and resource development economics with experience in  rolling over large scale impact evaluations and randomized control trials
• Proven ability in large-scale fundraising and management of major research projects, linking research to policy at the global level on issues related to the relevant topic areas
• Experience in training of policy-makers and action based research showing engagement with stakeholders in the Sub-Saharan Africa context
• Extensive experience and excellence in PhD-level teaching, supervision, and mentorship
• Contribution to curriculum design of postgrad courses where research interests are reflected
• Strong leadership skills, including demonstrated ability to provide mentorship and guidance and to lead diverse teams to deliver high-quality and impactful results, including administrative roles in host Department/Faculty
• Excellent people skills and proven ability to work in a collaborative environment with team members and other colleagues across organizational boundaries, with a strong commitment to promoting knowledge sharing and staff development.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to write and speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely, with exposure to the media, external constituencies, and expert groups.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of  capacity-building activities within large research networks such as the Environment for Development initiative (www.efdinitiative.org)

Advantages:

• Broad knowledge of the capacity-building activities of the EfD network.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a global program on Impact Evaluation of Environment and Development Interventions
• Disseminate and communicate research results and policy recommendations
• Maintain an outstanding peer-reviewed academic publication record on topics relevant to South Africa and other developing countries
• Provide mentorship of junior fellows and PhD students at EPRU and the School of Economics
• Be a leading researcher, recognized internationally for his/her deep expertise in environment and development economics (e.g. climate change, energy transition, pollution control, poverty dynamics, and gender)
• Lead capacity-building initiatives implemented in other Sub-Saharan African countries in collaboration with the EfD Global Hub

The annual cost of employment, including benefits is R1 694 486

To apply, click the "apply" button to create a candidate profile and to submit your application.

Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A motivation letter that speaks to the requirement of the position and how your research and teaching interests will fit in with the Department.
• Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address and telephone number.
• ID/Passport
• Highest qualification

An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete.

References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Any enquiries around the application process to be addressed to Mr Ian Petersen at ian.petersen@uct.ac.za or 021 650 2163.        

Closing date:              14 March 2025                          

UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at https://uct.ac.za/media/9482.

UCT reserves the right not to appoint.