Doctoral Fellowship at WiSER, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (R250,000 First Year; 3 Years Full-Time or 5 Years Part-Time; Apply by 15 Nov 2026)

With support from Standard Bank for the second phase of the African Trust Infrastructures project, WiSER invites applications for 3-year full-time doctoral fellowships or 5-year part-time doctoral fellowships. They are to be awarded to outstanding students from Political Science, History, Anthropology, Economics, Sociology, Law or any other related or appropriate discipline.

Fellows are expected to research topics associated with the Trust Project, such as histories and contemporary analyses of credit and lending, and digital population registration and finance systems currently under development on the continent. Questions about the research can be sent to Dr Laura Phillips at laura.phillips@wits.ac.za, with a subject including the phrase “Trust doctoral fellowship.”

The full-time programme is not compatible with other employment. Fellows are expected to work closely with research staff and to participate fully, on site, in the intellectual life of the Institute. Full-time fellows receive funding for three years, and the package for the first year will be R250 000, covering university fees, research expenses and a living allowance. Some additional assistance with conference and research funding may also be available. Fellows are required to undertake up to 5 hours of work a week for WiSER.

The part-time programme can be done in combination with other employment, but part-time fellows should be based in Johannesburg and find ways to at least partially participate in the intellectual life of the Institute. Part-time fellows receive funding for their tuition but no support for their living expenses. Some additional assistance with conference and research funding may also be available.

Applications are made through the Google form linked on the organiser’s page. The process requires a Gmail account to upload documents; the organiser states it will keep no record of it. Applicants need to submit:

• A complete set of course transcripts for each degree
• A curriculum vitae, including the names and contact details of three academic referees
• A writing sample of the applicant’s choice
• A one page description of the applicant’s interest in the subject

The closing date for applications is 15 November 2026.