2026 Full Bursaries for Masters, PhDs, and Postdocs in Urban and Regional Economics – University of the Free State

 Full Bursaries for Masters, PhDs, and Postdocs – The DSI-NRF Research Chair in City and Regional Economies at the University of the Free State (UFS), South Africa, invites functions for a spread of absolutely funded postgraduate analysis positions beginning in 2026. These alternatives are open to high-achieving candidates in city and regional economics and growth.

The analysis program is led by Professor Ivan Turok and gives a possibility to work inside a dynamic tutorial setting, specializing in important city growth points throughout South Africa and the African continent.

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About the Programme

The South African Research Chair (SARChI) in City and Regional Economies is funded by the Department of Science and Innovation and administered by the National Research Foundation (NRF). Based at the University of the Free State, it’s the main centre for city and regional financial analysis and coverage in South Africa and a key contributor throughout Africa.

The programme helps a various tutorial neighborhood of:

Research is grounded in spatial economics, city growth, and coverage evaluation, with sensible relevance to nationwide and regional challenges.

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Funding Overview

Successful candidates will obtain full monetary help masking tuition, dwelling bills, and analysis prices. The following positions can be found:

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Eligibility Criteria

Postdoctoral Fellows:

• Must maintain a PhD in city and regional economics, financial geography, city planning, city research, or a associated discipline.

• The PhD will need to have been awarded inside the final 5 years, or the applicant have to be on monitor to finish it inside six months (with a supervisor’s affirmation letter).

• Must display capability for authentic analysis related to South Africa or different African nations.

• Expected to publish a minimal of two DHET-accredited scholarly outputs per 12 months.

• Will contribute to postgraduate supervision.

• Open to South African and worldwide candidates.

PhD Candidates:

• Must have a Master’s diploma in a related self-discipline.

• Minimum common of 65% in Master’s research.

• Must conduct authentic analysis related to city and regional economies in Africa.

Master’s Candidates:

• Must have an Honours diploma in a associated discipline.

• Minimum common of 65% in undergraduate qualification.

• Required to hold out authentic analysis in line with the programme’s focus.

Note: PhD and postdoctoral fellows must be prepared to spend part of their funding interval at the University of the Free State campus in Bloemfontein, topic to settlement.

Note:

• South African residents can apply for each NRF and UFS bursaries.

• International college students can apply for UFS-funded bursaries and postdoc positions, and could be thought-about for NRF nomination relying on particular NRF guidelines for the 12 months.

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Research Themes

Candidates will conduct analysis below broad themes, with particular matters to be decided in session with supervisors. Potential areas embrace:

• Urbanisation and financial growth

• Urban housing, land use, and spatial inequalities

• Strategic industries and native enterprise ecosystems

• Formal and casual city economies and spatial dynamics

• Central cities, enterprise nodes, and township economies

• Urban labour markets, unemployment, and poverty

• Urban governance, public-private partnerships, and civil society engagement

• Infrastructure supply and financing (transport, power, water, waste)

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How to Apply

Required Application Materials:

NRF Nominees: If chosen for NRF nomination, candidates might want to full an internet application on the NRF system.

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Further Information

For additional particulars go to: HERE

Submit the following paperwork by way of e mail to Nomvula Makhubu at: MakhubuNY@ufs.ac.za 
For tutorial queries or additional programme particulars, contact: Prof Ivan Turok, email: iturok@hsrc.ac.za

Deadline: 23 June 2025

Explore extra alternatives on: opportunitiesforyouth.org