University of Cape Town – Professional, administrative and support staff Jobs

To apply, click on the link at the end of the posts and all the best with your applications

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Vacancies

Applicants are invited to apply for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship based at the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity (CLII), Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town. The CLII conducts various TB and other respiratory disease-related research projects at numerous sites in Southern Africa. This includes several areas of research such as diagnostics, transmission, drug resistance, and immunology, that is conducted through a network of national and international collaborators. Additionally, CLII forms part of the Centre for the Study of Antimicrobial Resistance (CAMRA), an extramural research unit of the South African Medical Research Council, with the Director of CLII also holding the National Research Foundation SARChi chair in Interrupting Antimicrobial Resistance (SINARA). The Centre has an exemplary track record of high-quality research and publications and only candidates with a strong track record will be considered.

Purpose: Based on relevant experience, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to projects within the core disciplines of the CLII:

• Immunology – TB immunopathogenesis studies with a specific focus on the human lung (including controlled human infection models using pulmonary-delivered BCG)
• Proteomics – novel biomarker discovery for the diagnosis of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis
• Genomics – application of next generation sequencing approaches (targeted sequencing, epigenetics) for diagnosis of multidrug resistant pathogens (TB and non-TB)
• Antimicrobial Resistance – identifying mechanisms of AMR development and ways to limit AMR amplification (e.g., role of adjunct inhaled antibiotic, immunotherapeutics, therapeutic drug monitoring etc.)

As the projects form part of CLII’s Translational Biomedical Research portfolio, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to interface with product development and commercialisation, grant writing and project management.

Academic Criteria: Applicants must have completed a PhD degree in a foundational discipline relevant to the topic (e.g., PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, Bioinformatics, or related field). The applicant should not have previously held any permanent professional or academic post (previous postdoctoral position at UCT or another academic institution is acceptable). Applicants should have a proven track record of scientific outputs (i.e., publication record in accredited international journals, and oral or poster presentations at recognised national or international conferences), interpersonal skills, and be able to effectively conduct research as part of a multi­disciplinary team. Candidates should frame their CVs in the context of the core disciplines of the CLII (listed
above) and highlight key laboratory techniques and evidence of research experience. Meeting the following criteria would be desirable and count in the candidates’ favour:

• Laboratory-based experience working with clinical samples (e.g., sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, blood, urine, pleural fluid, CSF).
• Experience working with infectious pathogens (e.g., TB, SARS-CoV2) in BSL2 and 3 laboratory settings.

Conditions of Award:

1. Postdoctoral research fellowships are only available to individuals who have achieved their doctoral degree within the past 5 years.
2. The successful candidate may not have held any prior permanent academic or professional posts (previous postdoctoral position is acceptable).
3. No benefits or allowances are included in the value of the fellowship.
4. The successful candidate will be required to comply with the University’s approved policies, procedures and practices for the postdoctoral sector.
5. There will be a skills assessment and tour of the research facility as a mandatory requirement of the interview process.

Value & Tenure of Fellowship:
The value of the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship will be between R 250 000 and R 350 000 tax free per annum (depending on experience post PhD) and meet the criteria as stipulated by the University of Cape Town and the South African Revenue Service. The Fellowship is tenable for 1 year, but renewable for a further 2-3 years, and is contingent on satisfactory progress and availability of funds. Applicants approaching the end of their post-doctoral tenure please make contact with the Unit Head to discuss options.

Application Requirements:
Applicants are required to submit their CV, cover letter, and contact details of two referees to Pat Wileman; email: pat.wileman@uct.ac.za (Subject Line: CLII_PD2026) by 15 January 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Selection Process:
Eligible and complete applications will be considered by the Head of the Unit and an internal sub-committee.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an in-person or online interview. Once an interview has been scheduled, the candidates’ referees will be contacted.

The University of Cape Town reserves the right to:

• Disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications,
• Change the conditions of award or to make no awards at all.

Click here to apply

SENIOR DATA SCIENTIST

The African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) wishes to appoint Senior Data Scientists to lead and direct work with our researchers, students, data scientists and collaborators on diverse climate change and related research projects. ACDI is based at the University of Cape Town and supports research and training on climate change and sustainable development.

If you have excellent data science skills and coordination experience and want to apply these working with large climate, environmental and socio-economic and related datasets to answer climate and sustainability research questions, this is the job for you. You will work closely with ACDI and affiliated UCT researchers to provide leadership on data infrastructure design and development, advanced data analysis, application of existing software and codes, development of new software and tools, including machine learning, data visualization, and provide data science consultations and advice.

These are three-year fixed term contract appointments, extendable for further years, depending on performance in the position and availability of funding.

Closing date: 16 January 2026

Click here to apply

DATA SCIENTIST

The African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) is looking to appoint a Data Scientist to support work with our researchers, students and collaborators on diverse climate change and related research projects. ACDI is based at the University of Cape Town and supports research and training on climate change and sustainable development.

If you have excellent data science skills and want to apply these working with large climate, environmental, socioeconomic and related datasets to answer climate and sustainability research questions, this is the job for you. You will work closely with ACDI and affiliated UCT researchers on data infrastructure design and development, advanced data analysis and machine learning, application of existing software and codes, development of tools and applications, data visualization, and provide data science consultations and advice

These are three-year fixed term contract appointments, extendable for further years, depending on performance in the position and availability of funding.

Closing date: 16 January 2026

Click here to apply

PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is seeking to appoint a Personal Assistant to support the Executive Director of the Development and Alumni Department (DAD). This role requires a professional individual with excellent organisational, communication, and administrative skills, capable of managing sensitive information and providing high-level executive support.

Requirements include:

• Relevant qualification at NQF Level 6.
• At least 3 – 5 years’ experience as a Personal Assistant/Senior Secretary to a Senior Manager
• Proven administrative, organisational, and time management skills.
• High proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint). iMac will be advantageous.
• Strong written, communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to be proactive and assertive when required
• Systematic in the processing and management of documents
• Proven ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters with discretion

The following would be advantageous:

• Experience in a higher education or nonprofit environment.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and digital collaboration platforms.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage the Executive Director’s diary, prioritising strategic engagements and arranging all associated logistics.
• Prepare agendas and minutes, coordinate meetings, and ensure timely follow-up on action items.
• Manage travel arrangements, including local and international flights, visas, accommodation, and itineraries.
• Handle confidential documentation and correspondence, ensuring accuracy and appropriate distribution.
• Act as liaison between the ED’s office and both internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist with HR administrative tasks including onboarding, staff inductions, and interview logistics.
• Maintain electronic filing systems and assist with procurement processes, reimbursements, and P-Card administration.
• Monitor and coordinate facilities-related matters including equipment, space setup, and office maintenance.

The annual cost of employment, including benefits, is between R433709 and R510246.

Click here to apply

CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER, DATA SCIENCE AND IT

The Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Cape Town is seeking a highly skilled and
motivated Chief Technical Officer (CTO)—Data Science and IT. This dynamic role combines teaching support, research facilitation, and technical leadership in the rapidly evolving fields of data science, computing, and digital infrastructure within civil engineering.

The CTO will work closely with academic staff, researchers, and students in the Department of Civil Engineering (0.8 FTE), providing technical expertise in areas such as sensors and sensor networks/IoT, data collection, database management, data analytics, and data visualization as well as support the integration of digital technologies into the civil engineering curriculum. The incumbent will also assist the Faculty Office (0.2 FTE) in the development and maintenance of key software tools, such as the Student Enrolment Advising Tool (SEAT).

This position will be based within the Department of Civil Engineering, and the CTO will collaborate with various internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Statistical Sciences, ICTS, and the UCT High Performance Computing (HPC) cluster.

Click here to apply

TECHNICAL SPECIALIST: CYBER SECURITY

UCT is seeking a talented Information Security Engineer/Technical Specialist, to join the UCT Information and Cyber Security team and CSIRT. This is a role which plays a critical part in ensuring that UCT derives value from its investment Information and Cybersecurity and reports to the Senior Manager Information and Cybersecurity Services in the Enterprise Infrastructure Services division.

Successful applicants will be responsible for evaluating and strengthening the security posture through continuous vulnerability, incident handling and security assessments. If you have the skills and are excited by all things cyber, then keep reading.

Responsibilities include:

• Threat and Vulnerability Analysis – Identifying potential security risks and weaknesses.
• Incident Detection and Response – Investigating security alerts, documenting incidents, and taking action against cyber threats.
• Security Infrastructure Management – Configuring and deploying security tools to protect an organization’s network.
• Disaster Recovery Planning – Preparing strategies to mitigate damage from cyberattacks.
• Threat Hunting – Proactively searching for hidden threats that may have bypassed traditional security measures.

Qualification and experience required:

• Relevant qualification at NQF level 7 in a relevant discipline such as Computer Science or Information Systems
• 7 years’ experience in enterprise ICT applications and infrastructure of which 3 years must be relevant current hands-on technical experience in cyber security
• Threat Detection & Analysis – experience in and understanding of cyber threats, malware, and attack vectors.
• Incident Response – expert level experience in investigating security breaches and mitigating risks.
• Network Security – experience in and knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, VPNs, network flow interpretation and monitoring.
• Log Analysis – experience and ability to analyze logs for anomalies and security incidents.
• SIEM Tools – experience with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms like Splunk, QRadar or preferably SIEMonster.
• Programming & Scripting – Familiarity with Python, PowerShell, or Bash for automation.
• Working understanding of information security frameworks (e.g., ISO, NIST) and digital forensic methodologies and possible shortcomings they may have. Working understanding of applicable legislation (security and privacy)

Soft Skills Required

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills
• Experience in and ability to provide status updates to executives and stakeholders in non-technical terms encompassing
  risk, impact, containment, remediation, etc.
• Ability to work within a team and across different departments
• An autonomous / self-managed work style
• Ability to prioritize and manage work under pressure
• Ability to coach and mentor junior colleagues
• A strong customer service ethic

Advantageous Skills

• Current Industry-recognized certifications e.g., Security+, CEH, CISA, CISSP, OSCP
• Experience in Higher Education is advantageous

The annual remuneration package, including benefits is R784 833 to R923 330 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.

Click here to apply

SENIOR DATA SCIENTIST

The African Centre for Cities (ACC) at the University of Cape Town invites applications for a fulltime Senior Data Scientist at Payclass 11 level for a 16-month contract (March 2026 – June 2027) with the possibility of renewal.

We are looking for candidates to work as part of the African Mayoral Leadership Initiative (AMALI) Data
Programme team (see https://amalicities.africa/ for more details), located within the African Centre for Cities (ACC).

ACC was established in 2007 at the University of Cape Town as an urban research institute. The ACC is based in the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, but is interdisciplinary in scope, drawing on expertise on urban issues from across the university. AMALI, located within ACC, focuses on supporting African Mayors in their legacy goals and involves in-depth and ongoing technical and skills support over the course of a calendar year. The AMALI Data Programme specifically focuses on supporting Mayors from African Cities and their executive and data teams in the collection, analysis, and use of data necessary for effective decision making and reporting at a city-scale. The staffing complement of the AMALI Data Programme is currently a Data Programme Lead and five City Data Advisors, and the new position of Senior Data Scientist will be providing additional support to the Programme.

The AMALI Senior Data Scientist role sits at the intersection of data engineering, product development, and applied urban governance, and will involve working closely with the five AMALI City Data Advisors, municipal technical teams, and external partners. The Senior Data Scientist will lead the design, development, and maintenance of scalable data systems, dashboards, and tools to support African cities in evidence-based decisionmaking. The postholder will integrate systems engineering, coding, and product development to create standardised, high-quality data products for performance tracking, reporting, and decision-making within the AMALI Data Programme. This role will also contribute to generating new knowledge in African city-level systems and technology, documenting and disseminating innovations, best practices, and lessons learned to strengthen city level data ecosystems across the continent.

Requirements for the job:

• NQF Level 7 (e.g. Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma) in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, process engineering or a related field.
• At least 5 years’ professional experience in systems engineering, data product development, or similar role.
• Ability to design, develop, and maintain interactive dashboards (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Google Looker Studio, open-source platforms) for diverse user groups.
• Strong software engineering and programming skills, with the ability to develop automated pipelines and scalable solutions.
• Ability to integrate multiple systems, standardise reporting processes, and implement quality assurance mechanisms.
• Ability to support and advise public sector officials, City Data Advisors, and municipal teams on data
  system choices and implementation.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply AI/ML techniques for data cleaning,
  transformation, and visualisation.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team and across multi-stakeholder environments, building
  trust and fostering collegial work cultures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical
  documentation, user guides, and academic outputs
• Excellent time management and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently in a
  pressurised and results-oriented environment…
• Capacity to design, test, and maintain web-based applications or data input tools that are user-friendly and mobile-accessible.
• Ability to provide advice on data governance and ethical handling of sensitive data.

Work Location:

• This position will be based at the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, and may require occasional travel to cities across Africa as required.

Salary:

• The 2025 annual cost of employment range is between R499,265 and R933,330.

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications