OKAVANGO RESEARCH INSTITUTE (MAUN)

SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW IN BIOGEOCHEMISTRY (CONTRACT POSITION)

VACANCY NO: ORI03/2023

The Okavango Research Institute (ORI) of the University of Botswana is inviting applications for a position as Senior Research Fellow in Biogeochemistry. The Institute is based in Maun in the north-western part of Botswana and specializes in natural resources management, sustainable natural resource use and conservation in the world-famous Okavango Delta and the Kgalagadi (Kalahari) region. The Institute has a good library (a branch of the University library in Gaborone) and excellent research laboratories. The Institute attracts significant international funding and is becoming generally acknowledged as a global research leader in natural resources management. Additional information on ORI including its Strategic Plan can be found on www.ori.ub.bw

Duties The successful candidate will; (i) conduct research on biogeochemical cycles and their role in the functioning of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari region. The research will focus on natural or anthropogenic compounds in ecosystems;  nutrients, element and stable isotope studies; (ii) initiate, develop and establish research programs covering aforementioned topics, raise research funds from funding agencies within and outside the country; (iii) supervise graduate students and participate in taught programmes offered at the Institute; (iv) work with other researchers in physical and life sciences, and social sciences, to improve the region’s capacity to understand and accommodate change; (iv) write papers in international peer reviewed journals; (v) regularly attending national and international conferences; (vi) participating in ORI’s efforts to develop and facilitate services biogeochemistry; and developing outreach materials to facilitate the dissemination of biogeochemisty information to policy makers and civic society.

Requirements: Applicants should possess: (i) a PhD in Biology, Environmental Science or Earth Science, Chemistry or related fields; (ii) minimum of 10 pieces of research products (e.g., journal articles, book chapters, peer reviewed conference proceedings, etc.) published by recognised publishers; (iii) Seven (7) of the 10 publications above must be articles in refereed/accredited journals indexed in internationally recognized indexing databases; (iv) the remaining 3 publications could be journal articles, book chapters, peer reviewed conference proceedings etc.; (v) the candidate must be first author in at least half of the required journal publications, depending on the disciplinary expectations; (vi) sustained research output: a minimum of 5 peer reviewed publications (journal articles, book chapters, peer reviewed conference proceedings, etc.) every two years shall constitute sustained research output; (vii) a record of publications (journal articles, book chapters, peer reviewed conference proceedings, etc.) in the field of biogeochemistry such as natural and artificial ecosystems and their  contribution to a general understanding of biogeochemistry; biotic controls on the chemistry of the environment, the geochemical control of the structure and function of ecosystem; studies on natural or anthropogenic compounds in ecosystems; mechanisms driving patterns in biogeochemical cycles through space and time.(viii) scholarly presentations at national and/or international conferences; (ix) publications are spread across national and/or international journals; (x) some research impact, including but not limited to citations, the h-index, patents, policy applications, peer reviews, publications that are prescribed texts in other institutions, etc. (required at least one of these); (xi) recognized as being of at least national research standing (e.g. reviewer for refereed/ accredited national and regional publishers; editorial board member of at least a national publisher in a relevant field; and invitation as keynote speaker at national and/or international conferences (required in at least one of these). The following will be considered as added advantages: (a) evidence of research on nutrition, element and stable isotope studies, (b) university teaching experience or equivalent, (c) sustained research activity: on-going internally and/or externally supported research (e.g., funded/commissioned); (d) research awards and other forms of research recognition, where appropriate; (e) examiner/ moderator/ assessor for undergraduate and/or postgraduate projects nationally.

NB:The curriculum vitae should contain a detailed list of published works, clearly specifying name/s of author and co-authors if any, dates of publications, titles of publications, names of publishers, volume numbers and DOIs (for journal publications) or ISBN numbers (for books, book chapters and conference proceedings), and number of pages. The works should be categorized into books, book chapters, refereed journals, non-refereed works, consultancies, and practical media projects.

Remuneration: The University of Botswana offers competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications. For more information on the university, please visit our website; www.ub.bw

How to Apply: Letters of applications are to address the qualifications outlined in the advertisement and provide any other information to assist the university to determine the applicant’s suitability for the position.  The applicant should quote the vacancy number of the post applied for; provide current CVs (including telephone, telex and telefax number and e-mail where possible), certified true copies of educational certificates, transcripts and three reference letters. Applicants should send their application to: Human Resources Officer, Okavango Research Institute, Private Bag 285 Maun, Botswana. Tel.: +2676817228; Fax.: +2676861835: E-mail: ori_recruitment@ub.ac.bw/ basiangy@ub.ac.bw

Applicants should inform their referees to (i) quote the Vacancy Number(s) and Position(s) applied for and (ii) submit their references directly to the below address.

Hand delivered applications should be submitted to the HR Office, Admin Porta cabin. 

Please note that applications with incomplete information shall not be processed.

NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted

Closing Dates: 12 January 2024