Postdoctoral Fellowship in Genomics of Rare Developmental Disorders in Africa at the University of the Witwatersrand University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa

Postdoctoral opportunities are advertised at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg, with a strong focus on genomics, human genetics, bioinformatics, population genetics, and critical diversity studies.

The main highlighted opening is a postdoctoral fellowship in genomics of rare developmental disorders in Africa at the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB). The project builds on the DDD-Africa research initiative and involves analysis of genomic and epigenomic data from individuals with developmental disorders, using bioinformatics tools, human genetics expertise, and multi-omic datasets to identify novel disease-causing variants and regulatory mechanisms. The successful fellow will work with existing cohorts, help expand the DDD-Africa cohort, prepare manuscripts, train junior postgraduate students, and contribute to grant applications and collaborations. Applicants need a PhD in Human Genetics, Bioinformatics, or a related field (or be close to submission), plus experience with next-generation sequencing data, variant interpretation, Python and/or R, Linux-based HPC, and peer-reviewed publications. The fellowship is supported for two years, with possible extension depending on performance and funding. Deadline: 31 July 2026.

A second Wits opportunity is a Postdoctoral Fellow for 2026–2027 in Critical Diversity Studies at the Wits Centre for Diversity Studies. This role seeks an early career scholar with a strong interest in social justice and research on diversity, including race, gender, sexuality, ability, nationality, and related themes. The work should use contemporary critical theoretical frameworks such as decolonial, post-colonial, critical race, feminist, critical disability, and queer approaches. The fellowship is NRF-funded, offers a salary of R320,000 per year plus R50,000 per year for research costs, and runs for one year with possible renewal. Applicants should have a PhD in a cognate discipline, a background in critical social theory and research, an emerging publication profile, and strong writing and presentation skills. Deadline: 20 July 2026.

A third opening is a postdoctoral fellowship in evolutionary and population genetics at SBIMB. This project focuses on African genomic datasets (WGS and genotype array) to study signatures of selection and demographic history, and to build research capacity around disease susceptibility and treatment differences in African populations. The fellowship is supported for two years with possible extension. Applicants should have a PhD in Population Genetics, Genetics, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, or Molecular Biology, with Python/R, Linux HPC, and publication experience. Deadline: 31 July 2026.

Applications generally require a CV, cover letter, academic record/PhD certificate, and contact details for referees. Some calls ask for a concept note or specific email subject line. The post includes contact emails for the relevant institutes and principal investigators, and one application form link for the genomics postdoc.