The Scholarship

The PetroSA Synthetic Fuels Research Centre (PSFRC) represents a new type of partnership between universities and industry in South Africa. PetroSA (South Africa’s national oil company) is relocating a significant part of its R&D effort to the SAIAMC (South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry) at UWC namely its conversion of olefins to distillate (COD) pilot plant and associated activities. The main research thrust will be directed towards improving COD efficiency, the utilization of new feed stocks and development of new catalysts. The PSFRC project was launched in April 2010 and now the University of the Western Cape is seeking innovative and committed persons to fill two postdoctoral positions.

Postdoctoral Fellows (2 Posts) commencing 1st January 2011

These are one year contract positions which are renewable for a total of three years. Preference will be given to South Africans but non South Africans will also be considered.

To be appointed the persons should hold a PhD in an area related to gas conversion technology and an excellent record of publication in that field. At least one of the appointments will go to a person expert in catalyst development. The appointees will carry out research projects under the direction of the PSFRC Technical Committee and assist in the supervision of research students to PhD level. Applications should include:

• An exposition of the applicant’s expertise in research methods.
• An example of a recent published work.
• A letter of motivation, a full CV and the names and contact details of three referees.

Postdoctoral fellows will receive a tax free annual bursary in South African Rand (ZAR) approximately equivalent to 25000.00-30000.00 USD depending on experience.

Address applications to Professor

D.L. Key, Acting Director PSFRC, SAIAMC, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa or by email to dkey[ at ]uwc.ac.za (Tel +27 21 959 9320, fax +27 21 959 1583).