Description:

The University of Cape Town (UCT) – the African hub of TRAJECTS – is offering 2 scholarships for students registering or registered for a PhD research programme that focuses on a research topic aligned with TRAJECTS themes, including climate change mitigation, fossil-fuel (coal-mining) phaseout, land-use management, and the socio-economic impacts and just transition objectives of such developments (see www.trajects.org for more description of TRAJECTS objectives and Topics).

In their studies, scholarship awardees will contribute to answering one (or more) research questions from the TRAJECTS research “pool” and will benefit from inter- and transdisciplinary exchange with other consortium partners, and researchers. Scholarship recipients will also have the opportunity to be actively engaged in the co-development of study opportunities, as well as on nurturing the growing transcontinental TRAJECTS-network. (See the Postgraduate Opportunities in the Energy Systems Research Group starting in 2023, in the "Files" section as ESRG PO 2023)

Download the full call (UCT PhD Scholarship) in the "Files" section for an overview of the application process, eligibility criteria and additional information.

Requirements:

1. English language proficiency.
2. Last degree certificate must not be older than six years when applying for the scholarship.
3. Acceptance / enrolment as a PhD Candidate at UCT (or proof of application thereof).
4. Must be newly enrolled and/or in first year of study at the beginning of the funding period.
5. Funding shall be granted to awardees for a maximum of 6 semesters, up to the end of the stipend period, subject to annual progress and performance review.

Exceptions to criteria 4 and 5 above may be considered in exceptional cases, at the discretion of the TRAJECTS Scholarship Committee.

To be submitted in English, upon completion of the application form:

1. CV
2. Proposed PhD project (up to 10 pages) including: Working title, Abstract, Research question, Research status/ own preparatory work, Methods, Work plan, and Bibliography
3. Motivation letter
4. Recommendation letter of PhD supervisor Or Acceptance letter of PhD supervisor
5. Academic recommendation letter
6. Proof of enrolment/acceptance as a PhD student at UCT *
7. Proof of previous completed studies (transcript or copy of certificate) *
8. Additional documents, where applicable:

• Other certificates (e.g. relevant work experience, training, internships, etc.)
• Self-declaration as member of an underrepresented group
• Proof of financial need
• Proof of English literacy skills

* Can be submitted later if not available at the time of application – but prior to 27 January2022; applicants must however at least furnish proof of having applied for PhD studies at UCT. No applications will be entertained where this has not been done.