Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Exposome Research, PTSD and Stress-Related Disorders Stellenbosch University in South Africa

Stellenbosch University’s Department of Psychiatry is inviting applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in an interdisciplinary project on environmental, neighbourhood, and genomic determinants of PTSD and stress-related disorders.

The fellowship sits within an international collaboration involving Stellenbosch University, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), and Duke University (USA). The project focuses on exposome research in African mental health contexts, including environmental and neighbourhood-level exposures such as air pollution, green space, climate-related variables, and socioeconomic factors, and how these interact with molecular markers to influence mental health outcomes.

The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to analysis planning, publication and grant writing, mentoring junior researchers, ethics amendments, data management, and the integration of biological and environmental datasets for statistical analysis. There are also opportunities to support capacity-building activities, student workshops, conference presentations, and future large-scale grant proposals.

Eligibility highlights: applicants must hold a PhD awarded within the past 5 years in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biostatistics, Environmental Science, or a related field. The advertisement also asks for a strong publication record, including at least three first-authored publications, and strong statistical analytic skills. Proficiency in R, Python, or similar tools is required. Preferred experience includes mental health or trauma/PTSD research, genomics/omics research, statistical analyses, and scoping/systematic review experience.

Funding: the fellowship provides a tax-free stipend according to Stellenbosch University Postdoctoral Fellowship guidelines. It is funded for one year, with possible renewal depending on performance and available funding.

How to apply: prepare a cover letter explaining your research experience and fit for the role, plus a detailed CV with publication list and contact details for two referees. For enquiries, contact Prof Sian Hemmings at [email protected].

Deadline: open until the position is filled.