University of South Africa
Just Landed
New Today
Plant Ecology Postdoctoral Fellowship in Vegetation Ecology, Soil Chemistry and Savanna Ecosystems University of South Africa in South Africa
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Ecology
Funding
The position is a three-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. No salary or stipend amount is stated; the listing records the salary as none.
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Country
South Africa
University
University of South Africa
Apply for this position
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
The University of South Africa invites applications for a three-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in vegetation ecology within the Applied Behavioural Ecology & Ecosystem Research Unit (ABEERU), Department of Environmental Sciences. The fellow will be hosted jointly by Professor L.R. Brown and Dr Haemish Melville and will contribute to interdisciplinary research across savanna and grassland ecosystems.
The fellowship includes research on the ecological effects of megafaunal carcass decomposition in savannas, including changes in soil chemistry, soil microbial activity, vegetation composition and vegetation structure. The fellow may contribute to research design, field data collection, laboratory analyses and interpretation, while developing focused research questions within the broader project.
Additional opportunities involve long-term studies of bush encroachment management in Highveld grasslands, including the effects of Stoebe vulgaris on grassland vegetation. The fellow will help monitor and analyse management experiments and evaluate changes in species composition, plant diversity and vegetation structure.
The Unit also conducts long-term monitoring of grazing lawns. This work provides opportunities to investigate vegetation dynamics, plant community composition, plant diversity and grazing-related changes in grassland and savanna ecosystems.
Alongside contributions to established projects, the fellow will be encouraged to develop an independent research programme in vegetation classification, plant diversity and vegetation dynamics. The research environment supports interdisciplinary collaboration, field ecology, quantitative analysis and the development of an independent academic profile within ABEERU.
Funding details
The position is a three-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. No salary or stipend amount is stated; the listing records the salary as none.
What's required
Applicants should hold a PhD in Vegetation Ecology, Botany or a closely related discipline obtained within the past five years, or provide evidence that the doctoral thesis has been submitted for examination. Demonstrable experience in terrestrial vegetation ecological research, including vegetation sampling, species identification, and analysis and interpretation of vegetation data, is required. Applicants should have experience in soil chemistry and soil microbial activity or demonstrable expertise relevant to these areas, a record of peer-reviewed scientific publications and conference presentations, advanced GIS skills, and proficiency in quantitative data analysis. The candidate must be able to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and be willing and able to travel to field sites for fieldwork and data collection.
How to apply
Email an application to Dr Haemish Melville at [email protected], copying Professor L.R. Brown at [email protected]. Use “Small Predator Postdoc” as the subject line and attach a cover letter, CV with field experience and three contactable references, and a certified PhD certificate or proof of thesis submission.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.