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Call for applications for the Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship for 2023

Posted: 08 November 2022
CLOSING DATE: 30 November 2022

The South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI)  invites qualified persons in South Africa to apply for its 2023 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program. SAIMI has TWO  postdoctoral fellowships available for the year 2023 (January – December).


The fellowship will be awarded on a competitive basis, considering the candidate’s academic achievements, potential as an independent researcher and the extent to which s/he meets the requirements of the call. 


Eligibility requirements: 


• We are looking for dynamic candidates interested in working on innovative solutions to problems related to the marine and maritime sector and with industry stakeholders. Successful applicants will be exposed to SAIMI’s Think Tank and its internal researchers. The eligibility criteria for applicants are as follows: Below the age of 40 years.
• A PhD awarded within the last five years.
• Applicants must have been active in research since obtaining their Doctoral degree.
• Complete CV with contact details for three referees.
• A proposal outlining the plan for the fellowship.
• Proven ability to write and publish papers in accredited peer-reviewed journals
• Full academic transcripts.
• Citizenship is not restricted.
• Foreign postdoctoral research fellows must do the necessary translations on their qualification records/exam transcripts and obtain (where relevant) SAQA accreditation before submitting their applications.
• Must be able to commence their fellowship on or before 1 January 2022.
• Preference will be given to research projects that are aligned with SAIMI research thematic themes. 

The research thematic themes include: 

• Marine Robotics
• Autonomous Vessels at sea
• Maritime Security and  Cyber-Security
• Indigenous Maritime Knowledge Systems
• Ocean Governance and Protection Services
• Maritime Economics
• Maritime Energy Management
• Sustainable Ocean Energy 
• Offshore oil and gas 

Duration and Funding:


• The duration for the PDRFP will be 24 months.
• Subject to proof of satisfactory progress as set out hereunder 3, SAIMI may appoint the candidate for the remaining 12 months to complete the 24 months duration set out in 1.
• As part of performance target, candidates will be expected to at least produce one publication within a period of 12 months. 
• Failure to meet the set target under 3, and without providing a valid reason may lead to failure to meet the target which will result in SAIMI withdrawing support and terminate the contract with the candidate.
• The value of the PDRF for 2022 is a maximum of ZAR 300,000 per annum. An additional once-off payment of ZAR 20,000 will be made available to assist the successful candidate(s) to purchase research related resources such as laptops etc.

Please Note
 
Deadline to take up of the award is within 31 days from the date of receiving the award letter.

Applicants may submit the completed application form to the SAIMI Research office at:

Attractive remuneration will be offered to successful postdoctoral fellows. SAIMI also makes additional provisions to cover research-related costs and costs associated with presenting at conferences, subject to available funds.

Closing date: 30 November 2022

Please note that successful applicants will be notified by 18 December 2022. If you have not heard from SAIMI by 18 December 2022, please assume that your application was NOT successful.

STRUCTURE AND FUNDING LEVELS OF SAIMI POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS FOR 2023


• Successful postdoctoral fellowships are only tenable at South African universities.
• Postdoctoral fellowships are awarded for two years, subject to renewal per annum. Renewal of a postdoctoral fellowship is at the sole discretion of SAIMI. It is subject to satisfactory performance, which will be determined from Annual Progress Reports, detailing progress on deliverables per the original research proposal. In the report, deliverables should be demonstrated by showing evidence, e.g. senior authorship of peer-reviewed papers, developed hardware, preliminary results of simulations or data analysis, etc.
• The current value of the SAIMI postdoctoral fellowship is ZAR 300,000 per annum (non-taxable). (Please note that the current value of the postdoctoral fellowship may be adjusted in 2023 to account for annual inflation changes. 
• The fellowship is supplemented by a conference grant whereby the fellow is presenting valued at ZAR 30,000 per annum.
• The fellowship is also supplemented by an equipment grant valued at ZAR 20,000 per annum.
• There is no relocation grant linked to the postdoctoral fellowships.

RESEARCH PROPOSALS AND HOSTS/SUPERVISORS FOR SAIMI POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS FOR 2023 


All postdoctoral fellowship applications must be endorsed by a host/supervisor at the university in South Africa where the fellowship will be undertaken. Applicants are required to investigate the research specialisations of the individual hosts and institutions to inform their choices and match their strengths and interests. Applicants must contact the respective hosts to discuss the willingness of a host to endorse the application and to discuss and draft a research project and implementation plan for submission as part of the application.

The prospective applicant must submit a letter from the host/supervisor indicating the willingness and capacity to host the postdoctoral fellow. 

CONDITIONS OF AWARD OF A POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP 


• Post-doctoral fellows are required to submit proof of registration at the relevant South African University to SAIMI. No funds for a postdoctoral fellowship will be released until SAIMI has received the proof of registration.
• On receipt of proof of registration, SAIMI will pay the host university 100% of the postdoctoral fellowship.
• As the fellowship is principal to enable the fellow to focus on their research, the fellow may not hold full-time salaried employment concurrently with the fellowship but may undertake a maximum of twelve hours of co-supervision, teaching or assistance to postgraduate students per week on average during the year of the fellowship.
• Post-doctoral fellows are allowed to hold supplementary grants or emoluments during this fellowship to a maximum of 50% of the SAIMI award, but they must inform SAIMI via their university of such awards or emoluments.
• All research papers published by SAIMI-funded post-doctoral fellows must acknowledge the financial assistance of SAIMI. “The financial assistance of the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) towards this research is hereby acknowledged (www.saimi.co.za).”
• Copies of papers and conference proceedings published by SAIMI-funded post-doctoral fellows must be provided to SAIMI.
• Post-doctoral fellows are encouraged to engage and utilise the depth of expertise within SAIMI.
• If a post-doctoral fellow wishes to change their research project, or the university, for which the fellowship was awarded, they must motivate to SAIMI for approval before any changes. SAIMI is under no obligation to continue support if the changes do not comply with the criteria on which the fellowship offer was based.
Post-doctoral fellows are allowed to hold supplementary grants or emoluments during this fellowship to a maximum of 50% of the SAIMI award, but they must inform SAIMI via their university of such awards or emoluments.
• Should a post-doctoral fellow complete their research before the end of the period for which the fellowship was awarded, the fellowship award will be decreased on a pro-rata basis depending on the month in which the fellowship holder completes their research.
• A conference grant is available to support the fellow to present at conferences. The approval of the conference and travel grant is at the sole discretion of SAIMI.
• An application to purchase any item of equipment using this grant must be submitted to SAIMI via the university research office. The approval of an equipment grant application is at the sole discretion of the SAIMI.
• Unless circumstances are motivated as exceptional, SAIMI will NOT approve funding to purchase books, cellular phones, media players, E-readers, printers, digital projectors, iPads or other tablets.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A SAIMI POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP 


• See the appended application form by clicking the button below.
• Please note that successful applicants will be notified by 18 December 2022. If you have not heard from SAIMI by 18 December 2022, please assume that your application was NOT successful.

SAIMI CONTACT INFORMATION


Queries with regards to the application requirements or the application procedure may be directed to Dr Hashali Hamukuaya.

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