The DSI‑NRF Research Chair in City and Regional Economies at the University of the Free State (South Africa) is pleased to announce a call for applications for a range of postgraduate research positions and scholarships that cover fees, living expenses and other costs.Successful applicants will join a dynamic research community led by Professor Ivan Turok. Suitable candidates will be nominated for NRF scholarships for PhDs and Masters degrees in urban and regional economics and development. They will be registered at the UFS to start in 2026. Additional positions are available funded by the UFS with more flexible starting dates. The following research scholarships are available:
• Four full‑time postdoctoral positions (R370,000 per annum for two years renewable for up to two additional years)
• Four full‑time PhD degree bursaries (R220,000 per annum for three years)
• Four full‑time Masters degree bursaries (R200,000 per annum for two years)
The NRF stipulates clear eligibility criteria for academic achievement (minimum 65% for previous degree), age (under 32 years old) and students must be full‑ time. e UFS bursaries are more flexible.
Research themes
Highly motivated and high achieving students are expected to conduct research in the broad field of urban and regional economics and development. Research topics will be mutually agreed with supervisors. Potential research areas or themes include꞉
- Urbanisation and economic development
- Urban housing, land and spatial inequalitie
- Strategic industries and business dynamics
- The formal and informal economies of cities, including spatial patterns and trends
- Dynamic places ‑ central cities, business nodes and township economies
- Urban labour markets, unemployment and poverty
- Urban governance, policy and practice, including public‑private partnerships and civil society engagement
- The delivery and financing of urban infrastructure and essential
services, including transport, energy, water, and waste services
To apply, please send the following documents by email to Nomvula Makhubu by 23 June 2025꞉ MakhubuNY@ufs.ac.za
• CV
• Copy of university transcripts
• Copy of ID/passport
• Short proposal (500‑1500 words) aligned to the field of urban and regional economics and development
If the application is selected for NRF nomination and support, the candidate will be required to fill in an online application on the NRF website.
Full details here SARCHI PDF advert logo final