The African Mayoral Leadership Initiative (AMALI) is a partnership between the African Centre for Cities (ACC), at the University of Cape Town, Big Win Philanthropy and Bloomberg Philanthropies, to provide city leaders in Africa with exclusive, tailored support to hone their visions for their cities. The initiative includes an Urban Governance Research Lab that collects and analyses qualitative and quantitative data on African cities participating in AMALI. The ACC was established in 2007 at the University of Cape Town as an urban research institute. It is based in the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, but is interdisciplinary in its scope, drawing expertise on urban issues from across the university. The mission of the ACC is to “facilitate critical urban research and policy discourses for the promotion of vibrant, democratic and sustainable urban development in the global South”.
Call for Applications
The ACC invites applications from suitably qualified applicants to apply for these Postdoctoral Research Fellowships which are renewable for a total of up to three years, depending on satisfactory progress. Applicants are expected to have completed a doctoral degree in an area of study relevant to urban studies. Good writing skills (as evidenced by publications), a good understanding of urban governance and urban data in Africa and fluency in English are essential. Expertise in one of the priority AMALI topics is required (i.e. water and sanitation, solid waste management, informal sector, urban flooding, housing, urban markets, urban livelihoods, urban health). Previous experience of working in local government and/or fluency in French will be an advantage.
As the Lab has a pan-African focus, extensive knowledge of cities across at least two different countries in Africa would be an advantage. Two positions are available. The successful candidates will be part of the AMALI Urban Governance Research Lab. The successful applicants will be expected to contribute to the Lab through collecting and analysing data on AMALI cities and developing city profiles and briefing notes on local governance structures, through undertaking in-depth research on priority research topics to help support AMALI city leaders and through jointly writing and publishing journal articles and other research outputs based on the work undertaken for AMALI. As part of ACC’s intellectual and institutional enterprise, the successful applicant will also be expected to share their work in internal and public forums, be able to engage with ACC colleagues in relation to at least one of our areas of existing work (please see our website: www.africancentreforcities.net) and provide mentorship to ACC’s postgraduate student cohort.
CLOSING DATE: 15 MAY 2026
Conditions of Award (General)
- Applicants are expected to have completed a doctoral degree in an area of study relevant to urban studies within the past five years (e.g. Urban Studies, Urban Planning, Urban Geography, and related fields such as Urban Health).
- Applicants may not previously have held permanent full-time professional or academic posts. The successful candidate will be required to participate in the AMALI Urban Governance Lab work and undertake research on topics related to urban governance and urban development in African cities (these topics will have to be decided on consultation with the ACC Research Manager and AMALI Urban Governance Research Lab Manager).
- The candidates will be required to be based at the ACC offices in Cape Town and this will be a full-time role. Postdoctoral Research Fellows may undertake limited teaching and/or co-supervision of students with their approval of their supervisor, but these commitments may not exceed 12 hours per week.
- The successful incumbent will be required to comply with the University’s approved policies, procedures, and practises for the postdoctoral sector.
Value and Tenure
- The fellowships are valued at R500,000 per annum (increasing by 5% per year) and are renewable for a total of up to three years subject to satisfactory progress. There are no benefits or allowances included in the value of the fellowship. The fellowships are compliant with the SARS policies/rules and are therefore exempt from taxation.
- Non-South African citizens may be required to apply for a study visa.
Academic Criteria
- The fellowship is only available to individuals who have achieved the doctoral degree (e.g. a PhD) within the past 5 years.
- Applicants are expected to have completed a doctoral degree in an area of study relevant to urban studies (e.g. Urban Studies, Urban Planning, Urban Geography, and related fields such as Urban Health).
- Good writing skills (as evidenced by publications), a good understanding of urban governance and urban data in Africa and fluency in English are essential.
- Expertise in one of the priority AMALI topics is required (i.e. water and sanitation, solid waste management, informal sector, urban flooding, housing, urban markets, urban livelihoods, urban health).
- Previous experience of working in local government and/or fluency in French will be an advantage. The successful applicant must be available to commence with the Fellowship as soon as possible.
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to submit the following documents, via email, to Dr Amy Weimann (amy.weimann@uct.ac.za):
- A letter of application stating your expertise, research interests and experience (particularly with regard to urban governance and urban data in Africa), and motivation for this position;
- A two-page concept note on what you see as the key challenges facing African cities, with some suggested solutions;
- A CV including a list of publications/scholarly output;
- Copies of academic transcripts;
- Names and contact details of at least two academics who have taught, supervised, or worked alongside you.
Submission
- Please submit your application to Dr Amy Weimann (amy.weimann@uct.ac.za). Please clearly state in the subject line that this is an application for the “AMALI Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026”.
Closing date: 15 May 2026
Enquiries
- For more information on this position, please contact Dr Amy Weimann (amy.weimann@uct.ac.za).
Please note that correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates.
The University of Cape Town reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications, to change the conditions of award, and/ or to make no awards at all.