Master's and PhD degree Researcher Trainees

The Policy Analysis & Capacity Enhancement (PACE) cross-cutting programme focuses on generating knowledge that can inform public policy decision-making in South Africa and the continent. It conducts evidence-based analysis that informs priority social policy and economic issues, interrogates administrative datasets, assesses the impact of policies and programmes, makes appropriate and practical recommendations, and provides platforms for policy dialogues between researchers, policy makers and civil society policy activist. PACE also has a mandate to nurture and increase the pool of young researchers working in the social sciences and humanities in South Africa and the continent. PACE’s work is organised into the following thematic areas: social protection; gender and poverty reduction; the developmental state; culture, identity and social cohesion; social innovation; and research capacity enhancement – and encompasses the Centre for Africa Social Progress. We want to recruit PhD and MA Researcher Trainees for internships in each of these areas.

The internship experience is intensive and seeks mature individuals who are able to work independently as well as in a team. While researcher trainees will be exposed to a wide variety of project-related research, they are expected to also devote a substantial amount of time to completing their degree programmes. Time is set aside for this purpose.

PhD degree Researcher Trainees
As part of developing the required capacity to achieve its mission, PACE seeks to appoint several PhD research interns on 3-year contracts in the above mentioned thematic areas. Applicants should be interested in pursuing careers in policy research, and/or research in any of the thematic areas listed above. In addition to being provided with pertinent training, successful candidates will work in teams alongside experienced research specialists and project managers.

Key responsibilities:
In addition to working towards the completion of their university degrees, interns are required to participate in all aspects of the research process as they work with staff on research projects. Amongst other duties, they participate in the following activities under supervision:
• The conceptualisation and execution of policy research projects;
• The formulation of relevant research questions, the writing of proposals; and submission of research proposals for ethical review;
• The management of research projects;
• The collection and analysis of data;
• The writing up of research findings, making of conference presentations, and preparation of manuscripts to be submitted for publication;
• The conceptualisation, preparation and hosting of policy dialogues;
• The preparation of policy briefs.

Key requirements:
• Applicants must be in possession of a Masters degree in the social or human sciences, and be registered for their Doctoral degree;
• Intellectual and personal integrity, imagination and drive;
• A sound grounding in research methods will be a strong recommendation;
• The ability and enthusiasm to engage as a team player in multidisciplinary research
• A keenness to engage and facilitate dialogues with different sections of the South African public.

Masters degree Researcher Trainees
PACE also seeks to appoint several Masters degree research interns on 2-year contracts in the above mentioned thematic areas.
Key responsibilities:
In addition to working towards the completion of their university degrees, interns are required to participate in all aspects of the research process as they work with staff on research projects. Amongst other duties, Master degree interns will participate under supervision in the same policy research activities as PhD degree interns although to a less onerous degree and at a suitably pitched level of complexity and difficulty.

Key Requirements:
• Applicants must be registered for and close to the completion of their MA level degrees.
• Intellectual and personal integrity, imagination and drive;
• A sound grounding in research methods will be a strong recommendation;
• The ability and enthusiasm to engage as a team player in multidisciplinary research
• A keenness to engage and facilitate dialogues with different sections of the South African public

The HSRC offers attractive, market-related packages depending on qualifications and experience. The annual cost to company package will be based on qualifications, experience and recent performance.

Applicants with a strong academic background in all areas of the social sciences and humanities, and with specific interests in the aforementioned thematic areas are encouraged to apply.
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Applications: In your application, please include: your CV, a letter of motivation, the details of three recent referees (with telephone, fax and e-mail contact details), a copy of current earnings on cost-to-company basis, and photocopies of up to three of your sole or first-authored publications. The HSRC will only consider applications that comply with the above requirements. Applicants may be required to undertake a written exercise or an oral presentation in the competencies required for the position. Please submit your application to: The Head: Human Resources, HSRC, Private Bag X41, Pretoria 0001, or hand-deliver it to the HSRC Building, Room 1353, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria. E-mailed and faxed applications will not be accepted. Enquiries and not applications may be directed to Professor Thobeka Mda on +27 (0)12 302 2907.

The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of its senior managers, research leaders and support staff who are black, female or disabled.

Closing date: 15 May 2009. We encourage applicants to submit prior to that date. Applicants who have not been contacted within eight weeks should assume that their application has been unsuccessful. Only applicants who are interviewed will be advised of the outcome of their applications.

APPLICATIONS FROM RECRUITMENT AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.