Sustainability Postdoctoral Fellows
DST/NRF Decadal SARChI Chair in Environmental and Socio-economic Sustainability Assessment Innovation and CommercialisationCentre for Sustainability Engineering and Future TechnologiesUNISA College of Science Engineering and Technology
The NRF SARChI Chair in Environmental and Socio-economic Sustainability Assessment Innovation and Commercialisation, based at the University of South Africa (UNISA), invites applications for two Postdoctoral Fellowships.
The fellowships are granted for two years, with the option of a third year, subject to satisfactory performance. Renewal each year is contingent upon satisfactory performance.
About the Research Chair
The SARChI Chair in Environmental and Socio-economic Sustainability Assessment Innovation and Commercialisation aims to contribute sustainability assessment method, implementation, innovation and commercialisation, The aim is to research, innovation and implementation gaps in this space by advancing the application of LCSA in a holistic and integrated manner, ensuring that all three pillars of sustainability—environmental, social, and economic—are considered in tandem. The focus will be on addressing the lack of comprehensive sustainability assessment methodologies that account for the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors. While some progress has been made in each of these areas individually, the research community has yet to produce a unified mature approach that holistically addresses all three dimensions. The primary research question, therefore, is: How can life cycle assessment methodologies be expanded and integrated to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of industrial practices, particularly in South Africa? This question will guide the re-development of the methodologies and tools, and develop policy recommendations that promote sustainable industrial practices and contribute to national and global sustainability goals in a preemptive manner. The findings of this research will provide practical, evidence-based solutions that can inform policy and guide industries toward more sustainable practices. In doing so, it will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the broader goals of sustainable development, while reinforcing the South African Government and UNISA’s commitment to impactful, solution-oriented research. By addressing the critical gaps in sustainability assessment and providing actionable solutions, this research will make significant contributions to advancing both the academic field and practical applications in industry and policy. The overall aim is to develop comprehensive, integrated sustainability assessment methodologies that will drive the transition toward a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future. Key thematic areas include, but are not limited to:
• Contributions to and applications of Environmental Life Cycle Assessment
• Contributions to and applications of Environmental Life Cycle Assessment including Expanded Life Cycle Costing Framework and Techno-economic Assessments
• Contributions to and applications of Social Life Cycle Assessment
• Contributions to and applications of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment
• Process development and sustainability assessment for lignocellulosic residues biorefineries and the development of a biorefinery laboratory based on a business case
• Valorisation of phytoremediation biomass into bioenergy: optimizing anaerobic digestion and complementary conversion pathways
• Climate Change Adaptation: Assessment of the Deployment of Biogas Technology for Energy Transition in South Africa
• Optimising waste to energy operations in emerging cities using 4IR, Machine Learning, GIS and LCA techniques
• The application of the 4IR technologies for business sustainability
• Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP), Sustainability Assessment and Reporting and Circular Economy Approaches in South African Municipalities.
• Water-Energy-Food Nexus: e.g., The Energy-Water-Food Nexus Approaches to Water Conservation and Biodiversity Restoration.
• Sustainability implications of value recovery from municipal solid waste
• Sustainable and Smart Cities research and development
• UNISA Florida Campus as a Living laboratory for sustainable energy, renewable energy solutions and sustainability towards becoming as sustainable Campus
• Sustainability, Sustainable Energy and Renewable Energy solutions at all levels of government and in different industries, organizations and sectors.
Fellowship ProfileThe Chair is looking for doctoral scholars who are enthusiastic, self-motivated, interested in innovation, industrialization and commercialization and are committed to high-quality research. Applicants should have completed their PhD within the last five years in any sustainability related fields that include biological sciences, environmental sciences, other related sciences, related social sciences and related economic sciences or ay other closely related disciplines. Proposed or ongoing research should align clearly with the Chair’s research areas and should have a national, regional and global focus. Experience in Life Cycle Assessment especially social life cycle assessment and economic life cycle assessment/Life Cycle Costing will have an added advantage.
Postdoctoral fellows are expected to:
• Conduct independent and collaborative research
• Contribute to publications and research outputs
• Participate actively in seminars, workshops, and other activities of the Chair
• Engage with and co-supervise postgraduate students and contribute to capacity development
• Reside in Johannesburg or Johannesburg Metropolitan for the duration of the fellowship as this is a permanent contract.
Fellows will benefit from mentorship, opportunities for collaboration, and participation in a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment at Africa’s largest open distance learning university. This will strengthen their CVs and prepare them for their lifelong careers.
Fellowship Value and Conditions• R350,000 per annum (non-taxable stipend)
• R20,000 per annum for research-related expenses
• Fellows may not hold full-time salaried employment during the fellowship period
• The fellows will report directly to the Chair, Professor Charles Mbohwa
Application Procedure
Interested candidates should submit the following documents by email to: Professor Charles Mbohwa (mbohwc@unisa.ac.za)
• A motivation letter outlining research interests and demonstrating alignment with the Chair
• A Summary Research Proposal that Aligns to the Chair
• If doctorate is from outside South Africa and a SAQA Certificate is available can be provided. Otherwise, the applicant would be later on required to apply for MIE Verification and for SAQA Certification.
• A detailed curriculum vitae
• A copy of the PhD certificate
Please send the documents as a single PDF.
Applications must be submitted by Friday, 19th August 2026. The anticipated start date is 1 September 2026 or as mutually agreed soon after.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
SARChI Chair in Environmental and Socio-economic Sustainability Assessment Innovation and Commercialisation
Centre for Sustainability Engineering and Future Technologies; College of Science Engineering and Technology; Corner Christiaan de Wet Road/ Pioneer Avenue, Florida Park, Roodepoort, 1709, Johannesburg. South Africa Postal Address: Private Bag X6, Florida, 1710 Africa www.unisa.ac.za