The PetroSA Synthetic Fuels Innovation Centre (PSFIC) represents a new type of partnership between universities and industry in South Africa. PetroSA (South Africa’s national oil company) has relocated a significant part of its R&D effort to the SAIAMC (South African Centre for Advanced Materials Chemistry) at UWC namely its conversion of olefins to distillate (COD) pilot plant and associated activities. The main research thrust is directed towards improving COD efficiency, the utilisation of new feed stocks and the development of new catalysts. The PSFIC project was launched in April 2010 and has recently received further support from PetroSA. Consequently the University of the Western Cape is commencing a new cycle of recruitment, seeking innovative and committed persons to fill four postdoctoral positions.
Postdoctoral Fellows (4 posts) commencing 1 January 2015
These are one-year contract positions which are renewable for a total of three years. Appointment requires a PhD in an area related to gas conversion technology and a good record of publication in that field. At least one of the appointments will go to an expert in catalyst development. The appointees will establish and develop research projects under the direction of the PSFIC Technical Committee, co-supervise MSc and PhD students and publish papers in high impact factor journals.
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) equivalent to an internationally competitive salary.
Closing date for applications: 30th October 2014
Address applications to Professor D.L. Key, SAIAMC, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa or by e-mail to dkey@uwc.ac.za (tel: +27 21 959 9320, fax: +27 21 959 1583).
