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November 12, 2009

Post Doctoral Researcher, Organic Chemistry, South Africa

Post Doctoral Researcher

Description : Duties and responsibilities:
•Synthesis and characterisation (NMR etc.) of internal standards, including deuterium labelled analogues, for determination of bioavailability with LCMS.
•Development of a synthetic procedure to manufacture a small molecule natural product with proven and patented bioactivity on a semi commercial scale.
Inherent requirements:
•PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry.
•Excellent synthetic organic chemistry skills.
•Good chromatography skills.
•Good spectroscopy skills, including hands on experience with 600 MHz Bruker NMR.
•Good interpersonal communication skills and the ability to function with ease in the University’s parallel-medium and multicultural working environment.

The novel drug discovery program focuses on activity guided isolation and structure elucidation of bioactive compounds from natural sources with high throughput screening. The program includes synthesis of bioactive compounds, analogues and internal standards for further drug development and bioavailability studies.
Homepage : http://www.ufs.ac.za/faculties/index.php?FCode=04&DCode=103
Category : Organic Chemistry
Contact address : J H van der Westhuizen
Department of Chemistry
Nelson Mandela Avenue
University of the Free State
Bloemfontein 9301
South Africa

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African Students Scholarships, Brandeis University, USA

GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP in Poverty Alleviation and Development

The Poverty Alleviation and Development (P&D) Scholarship for the Master of Arts in Sustainable International Development will be awarded to an early– to mid-career development planner committed to poverty alleviation and community development within the region of Southern Africa.

Nationals of the following countries will be considered:

Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe
The P&D Scholar will join SID graduate students from over 40 countries in August 2010 for an interdisciplinary study of development and project management emphasizing poverty reduction, gender equality, human rights and biodiversity conservation. The P&D Scholar will concentrate on theoretical and analytical skills in the year-in-residence at Brandeis University and then spend a second year in a supervised internship or field project.
The P&D Scholarship includes full tuition remission for the year-in-residence. The scholarship does NOT cover airfare, health insurance or any living expenses.

Nominations are encouraged from international and governmental development institutions and NGOs. Selfnominations are accepted and women are especially encouraged to apply.

Nominators may mail, fax (781-736-2774), or email (HellerAdmissions@Brandeis.edu) a letter of nomination to the
Admissions Office. For more information, please visit http://heller.brandeis.edu.

Applications (to be submitted by the applicant) should include:

• Letter of Interest in Southern Africa Poverty Alleviation & Development Scholarship
• Completed Application Form
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
• Detailed Statement of Purpose describing career objectives and work experience
• Three original letters of recommendation (at least one professional and one academic) on official letterhead sent
directly to the Admissions Office from the recommenders (These letters must be accompanied by a Brandeis
University Recommendation Form)
• Original or certified true copies of transcripts from all university-level studies, sent directly to the Admissions
office from each university (Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by an official English
translation)
• Official TOEFL or IELTS score report is required for all international applicants.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2010

The Heller School for Social Policy and Management

Brandeis University, USA

Further Scholarship Information and Application -Poverty Prevention Scholarships[1]

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Africa ERSA Scholarship Programme 2010

ERSA POST-GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS (2010)- Economic Research Southern Africa

ERSA is funding post-graduate scholarships for masters or doctoral study in economics in 2009.

Each scholarship will be worth R80 000 per annum, with funding awarded to full time students for:
• 1 year of a one-year coursework masters program (with a mini-dissertation); or
• 2 years for masters by thesis or masters programmes that have two years of coursework and dissertation; or
• up to 3 years for PhD programmes.

In the case of multiple years of funding, funding will be conditional on reports of adequate academic progress being achieved, verified by the host university.

Eligibility for scholarships will be determined as follows:
• ERSA seeks to build long-term excellence in research and policy analysis in the field of economics. Academic excellence in economics is therefore a necessary criterion for eligibility. Applicants must provide a convincing demonstration of the ability to succeed in a credible postgraduate programme in economics.
• A minimum requirement is a pass at 70% in the degree preceding that for which the scholarship application is being submitted.
• Students from designated groups will receive prioritisation.
• Only South African citizens are eligible to apply.
• ERSA will prioritise facilitating the completion of PhD programmes in economics.

Key procedural considerations are as follows:
• Applicants will be subject to a short-listing process. Finalists for the scholarships may be invited for an interview for final selection.
• Scholarships can be utilised at the institution of choice of the scholarship winner. They will not be bound to the institution of origin of the student.
• Funding will only commence with written proof of acceptance to the relevant programme at the institution of choice.
• Students who choose to study outside of South Africa will be required to return to South Africa to work as economists for a period equivalent to that for which they held the scholarship.
• All institutions of higher learning in Southern Africa are encouraged to participate in the scholarship programme, including but not limited to proposing their best students for the scholarships.
• Selection of scholarship holders will be through a panel of economists identified and appointed by the ERSA Academic Board.
• ERSA scholarship holders studying in South Africa will be expected to attend the ERSA workshop programmes in the research group that are relevant to their area of specialisation. For more information on these research groups, see http://www.econrsa.org
• Upon completion of the degree, scholarship holders will be required to submit a paper, based on the dissertation component of their degree to the ERSA Working or Policy Paper series. Publication would be subject to standard quality verification standards.

How to apply:

Complete the Application Questionnaire and write a letter to “The ERSA scholarship programme”, for attention:
Ms Tania Jacobs ERSA Tania.jacobs@uct.ac.za

Incomplete Application will not be accepted.

The application pack should include all of the following:1
• A full CV
• Details of the intended programme to be studied, and the number of years.
• University where the studies will take place.
• Certified transcript of marks obtained during university study – for all years, including the most recently completed semester of study.
• An essay of between 300 and 500 words outlining your intended direction of research, and why ERSA should consider you for the bursary above other applicants.

Closing date: 21st October 2009

Economic Research Southern Africa

Leslie Social Sciences Building

University of Cape Town

Private Bag Rondebosch

7701

South Africa

Tel: 021 650-5239/5959

Fax: 086 5422 654

Website: http://www.econrsa.org

Further Scholarship Information and Application
ersa_scholarship-invitation-2010 (pdf)

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Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Political Thought, South Africa

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Political Thought

A National Research Foundation (NRF) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is on offer for one year (renewable for another) in the Department of Politics, University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa. It will be under the mentorship of Professor Lawrence Hamilton, who holds an NRF President’s Award, and will be located within the Department and within the Centre of Political Thought at UJ. The fellowship can be taken up from 1 February or 1 July 2010, and is set at the UJ’s rate for postdoctoral fellowships, currently R160 000 per annum, sufficient to cover living expenses.

The Centre of Political Thought at UJ is a unique environment in South Africa for research in political thought and theory. Existing members of the Centre research on a variety of topics within the history of political thought and political philosophy, including human needs and rights; political judgement; freedom, constitutionalism, poverty and public debt in South Africa; German Idealist political thought; language and politics; 10th century Islamic political thought; the intellectual history of freedom in America; African political thought; and the thought of Rousseau, Sieyès and Marx.

Applicants should not feel, however, that they have to restrict their research proposals to these or cognate areas. The proposed postdoctoral research can be on any topic within the fields of history of political thought, political philosophy or political theory – including research that makes use of empirical analysis and case studies to further the understanding or applicability of a question within political theory. The final choice of candidate will not be influenced by their choice of research topic.

Candidates are only eligible if they have been awarded a doctoral degree within the last five years; and, if they have yet to receive the degree, they must have it in hand by the time they take up the position, or preferably by the end of 2009.

Interested candidates should email their curriculum vitae, the names of three referees, an example of their written (preferably published) work of about 10 000 words, and a one-page summary of their proposed postdoctoral research to Professor Hamilton (lhamilton@uj.ac.za or lah1001@cam.ac.uk)

by 30 November 2009.

They can also post their applications to:

Professor Lawrence Hamilton,
Department of Politics,
University of Johannesburg,
P.O. Box 524,
Auckland Park,
2006,
South Africa,

making sure they arrive by the deadline. The successful candidate will be informed by the 15 December 2009.

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November 11, 2009

18 Positions for Doctoral Candidates from Developing Countries in Belgium

Positions for Doctoral Candidates

Description : The Doctoral School Humanities and Social Sciences at the Catholic University Leuven, currently has 18 research projects available for doctoral candidates (project leading to a PhD) from developing countries.

The Doctoral School for the Humanities and Social Sciences offers a high-quality PhD Programme in all research areas of Humanities, including Philosophy, Psychology, Theology, Educational Sciences, Law, Arts, Economics and Business Economics, and Social Sciences. Doctoral students play an active role in the programme and are required to complete a number of courses and seminars and participate in conferences, etc. related to their chosen area of academic research.

Homepage : Doctoral School Humanities and Social Sciences

Category : PhD scholarship

Contact address : K.U.Leuven
Doctoral School Humanities and Social Sciences
Blijde-Inkomststraat 5
B-3000 Leuven


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UNESCO-Japan Research Fellowships Programme 2010- For Developing Countries Students

NESCO/Keizo Obuchi (Japan) Co-Sponsored Research Fellowships Programme: 2010 Cycle – With a view to keeping alive and honouring the spirit of former Prime Minister Obuchi and his belief in “people building the next era”, 20 fellowships per year, for the ninth year, will be awarded to deserving candidates from UNESCO developing countries, especially the least developed countries (LDCs), who are eager to undertake research on one or more of the topics listed below. The aim of the fellowships is to support innovative and imaginative post-graduate research in the areas of development to which former Prime Minister Obuchi was committed and which coincide with areas of particular interest to UNESCO.

(Deadline for the submission of applications: 8 January 2010. Please see the announcement letter of the programme which is available in:English, French, Spanish and Arabic)

Fellowship application form

Deadline for applications: 08 Jan 2010

A. INTRODUCTION
Mr Keizo Obuchi, former Prime Minister of Japan, passed away on 14 May 2000 at the age of 62. Soft-spoken and charismatic, he was known as a man of integrity, honesty and modesty. He built a reputation as an exemplary official and was a particularly adept negotiator. A member of Japan’s Diet (Parliament) for over thirty years, he served as Japan’s Foreign Minister in 1997 until he was elected Prime Minister in July 1998. Mr Obuchi was known in the international arena for his commitment to development issues and his resolve to put Japan at the forefront of countries involved in consolidating the efforts of the international community to further progress in the social and economic development of humankind.

B. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowships Programme funded under a Japan Funds-in-Trust project will aim, in particular, to impact on capacity-building and research activities in the following areas which were of particular importance to Mr Keizo Obuchi: 1. Environment (with particular attention to Water Sciences); 2. Intercultural Dialogue; 3. Information and Communication Technologies; and 4. Peaceful conflict resolution. No other research topics will be considered.

C. ELIGIBILITY

Applicants, a maximum of TWO from each applying National Commission, must meet the following general criteria:

1. Candidates under this Programme must be post-graduate researchers, already holding either an M.A. or M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) and wishing to pursue research work abroad (preferably in their own region) with a view to enhancing knowledge in one of the four specific fields mentioned in paragraph D.1 below. Thus, those who are in the process of completing their Master’s degree must have completed it PRIOR to taking up their Fellowship.

2. Candidates must be persons of high intellectual promise who may be expected to make significant contributions to their country on return.

3. Candidates must be no more than 40 years of age. Thus, applicants born before 1 January 1970 will not be considered under the Programme.

4. The selected Fellow must carry out the research under the auspices of an academic supervisor in a host institution. Confirmation of acceptance from the academic supervisor is imperative.

5. Priority attention will be given to:

* Women
* Candidates from least developed countries (LDCs)
* Palestinian researchers

6. Candidates must be proficient in reading and writing the language of instruction in the proposed country of study/research.

7. Applicants must be in good health, both physically and mentally.

D. CONDITIONS FOR APPLICATION

1. Domains of research(a list of Suggested Sub-themes for research is provided in the announcement letter):

• Environment (with particular emphasis on to Water Sciences);
• Intercultural Dialogue;
• Information and Communication Technologies;
• Peaceful Conflicts Resolution.

2. Duration of proposed research:

minimum: 3 months
maximum: 9 months

3. Closing date for receipt of applications: 8 January 2010

4. Possible date of commencing research: Anytime from September 2010

5. Deadline for termination of research: December 2011

6. Place of study: 1 or 2 countries abroad

It should be understood that upon termination of the Fellowship, the beneficiary must agree to return to his/her home country so that knowledge acquired may be put to good use in local research and training programmes.

7. Study arrangements:
Research must be carried out under the auspices of an academic supervisor in a host institution

8. Application Procedures

NOTE: Please refer to the list of invited Member States who are eligible for this fellowship offer.

Further Scholarship Information and Application

India Specific (PDF)

All Countries

Further Scholarship Information at the UNESCO Website


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November 03, 2009

Fellowship for Students from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda

Fellowship Details

  • Applicants must be Africans residing and working in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda.
  • Funding is available for dissertation completion and for postdoctoral research and writing.
  • Applicants for dissertation-completion fellowships should be in the final year of writing the dissertation at a university in Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, or Uganda (but not South Africa).
  • Applicants for postdoctoral research/writing fellowships must be working in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, or Uganda.
  • Projects must be in the humanities.
  • Projects must be carried out in Africa.

Application forms and instructions are available on the ACLS website. Printed versions of forms and instructions may be obtained from the African Humanities Programby email. ACLS encourages the submission of applications via email.


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