Doctoral Fellowship, the Centre for Researching Education and Labour

The Centre for Researching Education and Labour (REAL) is offering 2 doctoral fellowships as part of an NRF/ESRC/Newton funded international research project investigating higher education and the public good in four African countries.

The project aims to examine global debates concerning higher education as a public good in the context of the lived realities, and political economic constraints and opportunities of contemporary sub-Saharan Africa. The doctoral fellows will work with a research team comprised of prominent scholars of African higher education, who will focus on four aspects of public good and higher education: equity and social development; funding employment and economic growth; pedagogy and curriculum; and the lived experience of space and work in universities. We hope to generate an engagement with ideas of higher education and the public good that goes beyond abstractly normative discussion, expanding the conceptual landscape to include African histories, imaginaries, priorities, and material conditions.

Our overarching research question is: How similar and different are the debates and views about higher education and public good in selected African countries? What theories of the public good can we build across countries from exchanging insights on how meanings are constituted and changed within and between different countries?

Candidates should have, or be about to complete, a strong Master’s degree in education, sociology, or in higher education or development. Funding is available for a three-year period, starting in early 2017. The yearly stipend is the NRF rate of 80 000 annually. The annual amount excludes fees which will be paid separately, and some funds are available to support conference attendance. There may, from time to time, be some opportunities for additional part-time work at the REAL Centre. The candidates would be expected to provide some assistance either in research projects or teaching at the REAL Centre.

Submit a letter of motivation (a one page letter explaining your interest in the project), as well as how your potential PhD research would contribute to the project, detailed CV and the names and contact details of three referees (incl. e-mail addresses).

The University is committed to employment equity.  Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University.  The University retains the right not to make an appointment and to verify all information provided by candidates.

Closing Date: 28th February 2017

Correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates.  The University reserves the right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise.