PhD Scholarships Doctoral Students

Applications are invited for 6 Doctoral students under the DST/NRF Research Chair on Innovation Studies at the Institute for Economic Research on Innovation (IERI) in South Africa.

Candidates are welcome to submit proposals on how knowledge, innovation and capacity for promoting African integration through the application of the convergence of information, computers and communication technologies, biotechnologies, cognitive technologies and nano-technologies applied to the pressing challenges African countries face simultaneously now as multiple and overlapping economic, food, energy, health and climate crises.

Applicants must possess an MSc or MA, preferably in a field related to science, technology and innovation in relation to some aspect of African development.

They should also submit a not more than a 5-page research proposal, with research question, methodology, and a three year plan that includes how they intend to undertake literature review, field research and the final completion of the thesis. The successful candidates will be expected to take a full research methods PhD course and deliver as research seminars the product of their research.

Minimum qualifications:
Recent MSc or MA. In economics and inter-disciplinary fields related to Science, Technology and Innovation studies.

Minimum experience:
Both fresh post-graduates and those with experience in the Science, Technology and Innovation field would be welcomed.


Specific training/skills:
Excellent written, oral, communication, presentation and computer skills will be required. Candidates will be expected to gain skills in software packages to simulate and process the empirical data for their research.

Other requirements:
Successful candidate will be expected to gain some teaching experience, conference attendance in related fields to their primary research based on the recommendation of the supervisors :


There is money (grants) set aside for these posts; from NRF and for full time academic candidates we are looking further scholarships including possible top-up up by the Faculty and DVC:

Possible assessment:
It can be expected from the candidates to do a presentation related to the qualification, the research they wish to do based on their written application and their motivation to undertake a PhD research during the interview on a relevant topic that will be communicated before the date of the interview.

Further Information:
Candidates who apply may seek further information from Professor Mammo Muchie, NRF/DST research professor chair on innovation studies:
muchiem@tut.ac.za , tel no. +27123823078

Deadline March 1, 2010