Researcher / analyst
On-Site
1147360 ZAR
Cost of Employment. Please see UCT COE details here: https://hr.uct.ac.za/remuneration-benefits-remuneration-cost-employment-ranges/cost-employment-coe-ranges-and-costing-information-permanent-academic-staff-2023
OPEN
Wikus Kruger
The Power Futures Lab (PFL) at the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business is seeking a Senior Research Officer to lead and expand its work on electricity markets in Africa. This role involves producing high-quality, policy-relevant research; contributing to executive training and teaching; engaging with African policymakers, regulators, and utilities; and helping to shape the Lab’s strategic research direction.
The successful candidate will have strong expertise in electricity markets, with a focus on developing or emerging markets. They will play a key role in building out a new research and training area on power markets, and in delivering the Lab’s growing portfolio of work on electricity investment, regulation, and the energy transition. This is a full-time, fixed-term contract post, supported by external donor funding.
The Power Futures Lab (PFL) is a research group located within the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town. PFL is dedicated to advancing understanding and capacity in the African power sector through research, training, and knowledge sharing. We focus on power sector investment, power markets, sector reform, and the energy transition, aiming to support sustainable power sector development across Africa.
We seek a highly motivated and competent Senior Research Officer to join our dynamic and interdisciplinary team on a full-time, 25-month contract. The appointee will be responsible for building out power markets as a new research area for PFL, which will include supervising PhD students, raising funding, and developing, convening, and delivering executive education short courses. This will involve conducting high-quality research that informs the development of effective power market structures in Africa (in particular South Africa) and creating training content that is relevant to the unique challenges faced by African countries. The role also includes fostering collaborations with other research institutions, government bodies, and industry stakeholders to advance the understanding of power markets in Africa. By contributing to both the academic and practical aspects of power markets, the role aims to enhance PFL's capacity to influence and shape the future of power markets in Africa, bridging the gap between research, policy, and practical implementation. The Senior Research Officer will also be expected to contribute to the strategic direction of PFL, identifying emerging trends and opportunities in the power sector that align with PFL’s mission and can guide future research and training initiatives.
The ideal candidate should hold a PhD in power markets or a related field, have a strong research background (incl. qualitative and quantitative analysis) and academic writing skills, and have at least 3 years’ research experience in power sector dynamics, preferably in developing country contexts. Experience with executive education, research leadership, and funding acquisition will be advantageous.
For more information about PFL, please visit https://www.gsb.uct.ac.za/powerfutureslab
To apply, please visit, UCT JOBS website, click the "apply" button to create a candidate profile and submit your application.
- Cover letter clearly indicating your field of expertise, and motivation for applying
- A current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- An example of recent written work and, if available, video evidence of teaching experience
- Please attach your academic transcripts
- Please attach a copy of your ID/SA permanent residence/Work permit (visa) – if available
- Please provide at least three contactable referees.
An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.
Any enquiries around the application process to be addressed to Ms Abigail Dixon at abigail.dixon@uct.ac.za or phone 021 6501673
Closing date: 11 April 2025
Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town
8001 Cape Town , Sud Africa
