City Embedded Researcher: FRACTAL Cities and Climate Change Project

University of Zambia, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Position: Fixed term for 3 years, full-time

Application closing date: 30 April 2016

Start date: negotiable around 1 June 2016

End date: 30 June 2019

Applications are invited for the position of Lusaka embedded researcher in the Future Resilience for African Cities and Lands (FRACTAL) project. FRACTAL is a 4-year project operating in 8 Southern African city-regions[1], undertaken by a large international research consortium led by the Climate System Analysis Group (CSAG) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa. The project will co-produce knowledge on urban and regional climate change in collaboration with decision-makers, and inform climate-sensitive decisions on energy and water. FRACTAL is part of the UK funded Future Climate for Africa (FCFA)[2] program.

The FRACTAL embedded researcher position is located at the Centre for Urban Research and Planning (CURP) within the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies (GES) of the University of Zambia (UNZA), but significant time will be spent embedded in the Lusaka City Council, conducting research with city officials on climate-sensitive urban development decisions. This position is an exciting innovation to enhance the connections between the FRACTAL research team and the city governance structures by providing an avenue for sustained communication, scientific inquiry and learning. This is an opportunity for a unique experience of working in a team of leading researchers while strongly connected into the operations of government and other city-regional decision-makers, contributing to development in African cities. While the position on offer is that of a salaried researcher, opportunities to pursue a PhD while in the position are available if desired. The Lusaka embedded researcher will have counter-parts in three or four of the other FRACTAL cities and will participate in FRACTAL workshops and training events internationally and have opportunities to do exchange visits with other cities in the FRACTAL network.

Characteristics of a successful applicant

Ideally applicants will have an MSc or MA degree or higher in urban development and management, urban and regional planning, geography, environmental science or a cognate field, plus two years of relevant work experience. Candidates should be strongly motivated to engage with urban development issues in Africa, have a solid grounding in climate change issues, and be an excellent communicator. Candidates should be able to work independently but also work well within a diverse and geographically dispersed team. Experience working with government in Zambia, and with interpreting, tailoring, and communicating climate information in the context of impacts, adaptation and city systems would be very beneficial. Experience in transdisciplinary research would be an advantage.

Terms of appointment

This position will be appointed on a fixed term contract with the University of Zambia on the university’s standard terms of employment. The salary is negotiable according to experience and skills, but will be in the range of a gross figure of K 210, 000 to K 240, 000 per annum for a period of 3 years.

How to apply

Submission of applications must be in electronic format to Gilbert Siame <siamegilbert@yahoo.co.uk>, with a copy to <wsnchito@yahoo.com> and <geography@unza.zm>. It should include a comprehensive CV, a full letter of motivation outlining research interests, and the names of three referees. Please use the reference “FRACTAL embedded researcher application” in the email subject line.

Further information can be obtained from <www.fractal.org.za>, or queries may be submitted to Gilbert Siame <siamegilbert@yahoo.co.uk>. Closing date for applications is 30 April 2016.

[1] Lusaka; Windhoek; Maputo; Cape Town; eThekwini (Durban); Gabarone; Lilongwe; Harare

[2] http://futureclimateafrica.org/