Position Title:  Research Officer

RESEARCH OFFICER

(T2 Contract)

Department of Environmental and Geographical Science

Faculty of Science

Applications are invited for the full-time post of Research Officer for the Research for Agroecology Network Southern Africa (RAENS) project. RAENS is a multi-country, multi-year project (ending December 2028) undertaken by a consortium of regional and international partners led by the DSTI/NRF Bio-Economy Research Chair at EGS, at the University of Cape Town. It is funded by the European Union.

The overall goal of RAENS is to establish a robust, innovative, and sustainable multi-actor transdisciplinary agroecology research and knowledge network in southern Africa to strengthen existing initiatives, showcase the potential and scalability of agroecology, facilitate shifts in agricultural training and research towards agroecological and regenerative production, and to inform policy, thereby leading to an enabling landscape for agroecology uptake, research and training.

Requirements for the job:

• A PhD in a relevant field (Geography, Environmental Science, Development Studies, Agriculture, Sociology)
• At least 5 years of experience conducting academic as well as policy-oriented research
• At least 3 years of experience in project management and coordination, preferably with multi-national, multi-cultural teams
• At least 2 years of experience supervising postgraduate students in a field related to agroecology
• Strong conceptual knowledge of agroecology
• Knowledge of the policy context, frameworks, processes and key actors related to agroecology at national, regional, continental and global levels.
• Research skills: strong track record of academic research; participatory, community-based research skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills (for academic and general audiences)
• Good record of academic publication in international and local peer-reviewed journals and/or books
• Willingness and flexibility to travel internationally as well as to rural field work sites in southern Africa

Advantageous experience:

• Experience in creation and dissemination of popular and creative knowledge products related to agroecology and sustainable food systems.
• Experience engaging in policy advocacy (including development of recommendations, engagement with decision-makers, and facilitating local stakeholders’ engagement in policy processes) at national and/or international levels.
• Knowledge of debates and concepts related to Indigenous knowledge systems in relation to agroecology and sustainable food systems.
• Connection to networks of agroecology researchers, educators and/or practitioners in southern Africa.

Responsibilities:

The main purpose of the Research Officer position is to conduct research and manage implementation of the RAENS project. This includes 4 main areas of responsibility:

• As project lead, UCT is responsible for overseeing project implementation. This position involves coordination and management of the network of 8 implementing partners (including UCT) to ensure effective delivery of project objectives. This position includes calling regular project meetings, overseeing and collating regular donor reports, monitoring progress on the 4 project components (research network; curriculum development; knowledge dissemination; policy influencing), and developing the tools and approaches necessary for project implementation.
• Liaising between partners (e.g. FARA, RUFORUM), the regional coordinating body (CCARDESA) and the implementing partners on the implementation of the project in line with other EU-funded continental and regional agroecology initiatives. This includes communicating about regional/continental opportunities to the consortium, disseminating information about the consortium in continental and regional fora, and networking with other initiatives.
• As an implementing partner, UCT is responsible for activities in South Africa under the four project components. Working within UCT’s policies and procedures, tasks for this position will include coordinating and building the South African Agroecology Knowledge Network (SA AEKN) with other SA universities, government researchers and civil society partners; conducting farmer-led agroecology research and supervising student research; supporting the development and implementation of new curricula; developing and disseminating knowledge products; and developing evidence-based recommendations to inform policy.
• Conducting research and disseminating results on agroecology, publishing academic papers on agroecology and related themes, supervising postgraduate students linked to the RAENS project and contributing to the senior leadership team of the Bioeconomy Research Chair.

This position involves both academic and administrative components. It is based in EGS at UCT, and is a fixed-term contract. The end date of the project is 31 December 2028.

Please click the "apply" on the UCT Jobs site (View) button to create a candidate profile and submit your application.  Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

• A letter of motivation (1-page)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Writing sample from a 1st authored academic paper based on research you conducted

An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and may be required to deliver a presentation.

Any enquiries around the application process to be addressed to Ms Abigail Dixon at abigail.dixon@uct.ac.za or 021 650 1673

Website: http://www.egs.uct.ac.za

Closing date: 16 January 2026

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.