Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Contract Appointment: 2 Years) (Job ID: 6620)

In brief

**Overview** This is a contractual Postdoctoral Research Fellow position for two years at the University of the Free State (Job ID: 6620). The role primarily involves examining the social uptake, perceptions, and behavioural responses related to improved rangeland management practices, as well as designing and implementing impact evaluation frameworks concerning livelihoods and income outcomes from rangeland management interventions and livestock market/value chain strategies. The Fellow will also analyze socioeconomic data from smallholder livestock farmers and contribute to original research. **What you will do** * Examine social uptake, perceptions, and behavioural responses to improved rangeland management practices. * Design and implement impact evaluation frameworks comparing livelihoods and income outcomes before and after rangeland management interventions. * Design and implement impact evaluation frameworks comparing livelihoods and income outcomes before and after livestock market/value chain strategies. * Analyse household and community-level socioeconomic data, including income, productivity, and welfare indicators, for smallholder livestock farmers in WCCA and surrounding areas. * Contribute to original research. This will include analysing both qualitative interview/focus group data and quantitative survey data; helping lead deliberative stakeholder workshops; conducting literature reviews; and applying economic theories related to development economics, resource/environmental economics, poverty, and sustainable development. * Undertake fieldwork in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwaqwa, and surrounding areas. * Apply appropriate econometric, quasi-experimental, and/or mixed-methods approaches. * Contribute to peer-reviewed high-impact journal articles, policy briefs, and stakeholder reports. * Be provided with undergraduate lecturing opportunities and contribute to grant writing for experience. * Support postgraduate supervision Honours/Masters/PhD where relevant. * Engage with community stakeholders, policymakers, and implementing partners. * Participate in project-related seminars, workshops, and dissemination activities. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * A PhD in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Environmental Economics, Development Studies, or a closely related field completed within the last five years. * Strong grounding in applied microeconomics, development economics, or environmental/resource economics. * Demonstrated experience with quantitative data analysis e.g. Stata, R, Python and/or mixed-methods research. * Evidence of peer-reviewed publications or manuscripts under review. * Ability to conduct field-based research in rural or communal settings. **Who should apply** This role is suitable for a recent PhD graduate (within the last five years) in Economics or a related field, who possesses a strong foundation in applied microeconomics, development economics, or environmental/resource economics. The ideal candidate must have demonstrated experience in quantitative data analysis or mixed-methods research, evidenced by skills in tools like Stata, R, or Python, and have a track record of peer-reviewed publications or manuscripts under review. They should also be capable of conducting field-based research in rural or communal environments. Additionally, candidates with experience in rangeland management, livestock systems, natural resource governance, or climate adaptation, familiarity with impact evaluation methods (e.g., Difference-in-Differences, PSM, IV, Panel Data), experience with community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) initiatives, and knowledge of Southern African rural contexts are highly recommended. **Deadline** 30 October 2026 **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/postdoctoral-research-fellow-contract-appointment-2-years-job-id-6620-university-of-the-free-state-1 Source: myjobmag

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