Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Contract Appointment: 2 Years)

In brief

**Overview** The University of the Free State’s Restoring Biodiversity and Connection to Nature in the Southern African Mountains Research Chair is inviting applications for a two-year contract Postdoctoral Research Fellow. This role is integral to an interdisciplinary project that examines the economic impacts and social uptake of improved rangeland management practices within communal and smallholder livestock systems. The project focuses on how rangeland interventions and livestock value chain strategies influence livestock owners' incomes and livelihoods, utilising pre- and post-intervention analysis. The research aims to generate policy-relevant evidence on sustainable land management, livestock value chains, rural livelihoods, and climate-resilient agriculture, specifically in and around the Witsieshoek Indigenous and Communal Protected Areas (WCCA) of Phuthaditjhaba. This initiative is part of a broader collaboration led by the HANS HOHEISEN Charitable Trust, in partnership with Meat Naturally and AFRO-MONTANE RESEARCH UNIT, to reduce biodiversity loss and support the rewilding of the WCCA. The work is set against a backdrop of high poverty and food insecurity in the mountainous Phuthaditjhaba area, where livelihoods heavily depend on extensive grasslands and livestock farming, facing challenges from urbanisation and land use change. **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, which 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** The ideal candidate is a recent PhD graduate, having completed their degree within the last five years, in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Environmental Economics, Development Studies, or a closely related field. They should possess a strong foundation in applied microeconomics, development economics, or environmental/resource economics, coupled with demonstrated experience in quantitative data analysis (using software such as Stata, R, or Python) and/or mixed-methods research. Evidence of peer-reviewed publications or manuscripts under review is essential, as is the ability to conduct field-based research in rural or communal settings. The candidate will be expected to examine social uptake, design and implement impact evaluation frameworks, analyse socioeconomic data, contribute to original research using various methodologies, undertake fieldwork, and apply appropriate analytical approaches. Beneficial experience includes working on rangeland management, livestock systems, natural resource governance, or climate adaptation, as well as familiarity with impact evaluation methods (e.g., Difference-in-Differences, Propensity Score Matching, Instrumental Variable, Panel Data estimations). Experience engaging with community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) initiatives and knowledge of Southern African rural contexts are also advantageous. The role involves contributing to lecturing, grant writing, postgraduate supervision, and stakeholder engagement. **Deadline** 30th October, 2026 **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/postdoctoral-research-fellow-contract-appointment-2-years-university-of-the-free-state-1 Source: myjobmag

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