Funded PhD position based at the University of Cape Town Lung Institute
DEADLINE: 06 January 2025
The Allergy and Immunology Unit (AIU), based at the University of Cape Town Lung Institute (www.lunginstitute.co.za), invites applications for a funded PhD position to work on the aerobiology and DNA metabarcoding aspects of the SA CARES project.
This project investigates the impact of climate-driven aeroallergen exposures on respiratory health in under-resourced communities across South Africa. The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience in field-based pollen sampling, aerobiological data analysis, and project-related community engagement.
Requirements:
- A Master’s degree in Aerobiology, Environmental Science, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
- Familiarity with DNA barcoding techniques, ideally with a focus on plant or fungal species.
- Strong analytical skills, with a willingness to learn new software tools for DNA and environmental data analysis.
- Interest in community-focused health research and climate change impacts.
- Excellent communication skills and an ability to work effectively in a diverse team.
Key Responsibilities include (but not limited to)
- Conduct fieldwork and collect aerobiological samples in diverse communities.
- Process and analyze DNA barcoding samples to identify plant and fungal aeroallergens.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including postdoctoral researchers, community health workers, and data analysts.
- Contribute to data analysis, model building, and manuscript preparation.
- Attend project-related meetings, training workshops, and community engagement events.
How to apply?
To apply, interested applicants are requested to submit the following to uctlirecruitment@uct.ac.za :
- a statement of research interest (1 – 2 Pages) explaining your interest in this project and relevant experience
- a current CV, including academic achievements
- contact information of two academic or professional references
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