PROFESSOR (DSTI/NRF SARChI CHAIR): BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

(5-Year Fixed Term Contract Post)

School of Economics

Faculty of Commerce

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a research-led, strongly internationalised university, and the only one in Africa included in the Times Higher Education Supplement's Top 200 world universities. The School of Economics at UCT is the top-ranked economics department, both in South Africa, as well as Africa. Its PhD programme is in a strong growth phase and is particularly drawing students from the economically growing African continent and other emerging regions. The School hosts the DSTI-NRF/Swiss Bilateral Chair in Blockchain Technology, a distinguished appointment under the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI). This prestigious programme, supported by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Research Foundation, provides substantial funding and a strategic platform to drive excellence in research, innovation, and capacity development in emerging technologies.

The School is seeking to make an academic appointment at the level of Professor in the field of Financial Technology (FinTech) with a focus on blockchain technology to hold the DSTI-NRF/Swiss Bilateral Chair in Blockchain Technology in the School of Economics. As part of the Bilateral Chair, the successful candidate will be expected to work closely with the Blockchain Center at the University of Zurich to collaborate on research, supervision and teaching. In addition to the annual cost of employment, the DSTI-NRF / Swiss Bilateral Chair will also have access to funding for administrative support, travel, scholarships, bursaries, and other research-related expenses. This is a 5-year full-time contract appointment, with a possibility for renewal depending on funding availability.

The successful candidate will be required to prepare a proposal in the defined research area, in collaboration with the Head of the School, for approval by the NRF prior to finalisation of the appointment.

Requirements for the position:

• a PhD in Economics or Finance or aligned discipline
• academic standing at professorial level
• extensive evidence of peer-reviewed journal publication output
• evidence of international recognition for research
• a demonstrable track record of teaching and supervision at doctoral and master’s level
• evidence of having independently secured research funding to support research activities.

The following will be advantageous:

• Peer-reviewed research on the topics of financial technology, in particular blockchain technology
• Serve as an active member of national and/or international scholarly societies.
• Evidence of national and/or international collaborations.

Responsibilities for the position include:

Research

• Contribute actively to the literature on financial technology, particularly blockchain technology.
• Conduct collaborative research with the University of Zurich.
• Develop /expand research collaborations both nationally and internationally.
• Build capacity in blockchain technology locally and across Africa through training of postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, especially from designated groups in South Africa and the rest of the continent.
• Foster collaboration with the University of Zurich’s Blockchain Center. The candidate is expected to spend a minimum of one month each year on a research visit to the University of Zurich.
• Raise research funding from appropriate national and international funding bodies.
• Attract sustainable independent research funding.
• Contribute to the strategic development and direction of blockchain technology at UCT and internationally.

Teaching

• Teaching is capped at 20% of a standard teaching load.
• The candidate will be expected to teach a Financial Technology Masters course in the School of Economics.
• Supervise/co-supervise post-graduate students (Masters and Doctoral).
• Assist in curriculum development and review.

Leadership, management, and administration

• Convene the MPhil in Financial Technology in the School of Economics

• Contribute actively to the activities of the Financial Innovation Hub at the School of Economics.
• When required, be prepared to lead and manage academic activities within the School, Faculty and/or University.

Social responsiveness

• Initiate and participate in social responsiveness activities within the School, Faculty and/or University and broader society.

The 2026 annual cost of employment, including benefits, is R1, 805 034.

To apply, please visit the UCT Internal Careers site (For Internal Applicants) and UCT Careers site (For external Applicants) to create a profile and submit your application.

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

• A letter of motivation, outlining how your expertise aligns with the position’s requirements
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Certified copy of the PhD certificate
• Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address, and telephone number

An application which does not comply with the above will be regarded as incomplete and might not be considered.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency assessments and deliver a presentation to the School. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Any inquiries for this position are to be addressed to Mr Ian Petersen at ian.petersen@uct.ac.za or 021 650 2163. Please do not send or submit a job application/CV via this e-mail.

Closing Date for applications: 30 January 2026        Website: www.commerce.uct.ac.za

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.