Intellectual Property Postdoctoral Fellowship

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral fellowship with the Division Biodiversity Research Assessment and Monitoring at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and with the South African Research Chair (SARChI Chair) in Intellectual Property, Innovation and Development at the University of Cape Town’s Law Faculty, to support SANBIs protection and commercialisation of Intellectual Property and empowerment of staff in that regard.

The postdoctoral fellowship is to address a key knowledge gap identified in SANBI in terms of protection of Intellectual Property (IP) and identifying potential commercialisation opportunities for SANBI.

Requirements: The postdoctoral fellowship is open to anyone who has completed a PhD in the last five years, or who has submitted the final version of their PhD (i.e. letter/form from supervisors noting that all corrections requested by reviewers have been addressed) by the time of applying for this fellowship.

Candidates must have a strong IP background, preferably including an appreciation or understanding of biodiversity and/or bioprospecting. Candidates must be independent and productive with a peer-reviewed publication track record. Applicants may not previously have held full-time permanent professional or academic posts. Applicants must be familiar and comfortable with engaging with partner organisations on IP related matters. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to undertake research, synthesise literature and information, and use evidence to formulate defendable recommendations on SANBIs management of IP and bioprospecting opportunities. The position also involves coordination and convening workshops with SANBI staff for capacity building purposes, visiting SANBI offices across the country and engaging with key partner organisations.

Research Areas: The main avenues of research are:

(1) undertake a benchmarking exercise with similar biodiversity institutions globally in their management of IP and bioprospecting;

(2) conduct a comprehensive IP audit for SANBI to identify existing IP in need of protection, as well as IP and bioprospecting opportunities for potential commercialisation;

(3) develop a SANBI IP register;

(4) engage SANBI staff in workshops to understand the nature of the work at SANBI and the IP protection needs together with bioprospecting opportunities. Engage staff in workshops and seminars for capacity building purposes to empower staff in the management of IP and bioprospecting;

(5) develop easy to follow guidelines for staff on the management of IP and bioprospecting; and

(6) finalise IP Policy and procedures, including for bioprospecting, and facilitate the establishment of an IP Management Committee.

Value: A fellowship of R300,000 per year for two (2) years is available. Funds for running expenses will also be made available each year.

Application procedure: Each application is to be accompanied by a standard bursary application cover sheet (attached to this advert). Applications are to include a full CV; certified copies of ID and academic records; two letters of reference (one must be from an academic supervisor); examples of published work; and a motivation letter (no longer than a page) describing the applicant’s suitability for the position in terms of skills, experience and published research. Send all documents to students@sanbi.org.za and students.sanbi@gmail.com with “SANBI-Intellectual Property Postdoctoral Fellowship” in the subject line.

Contact details

Academic queries: Dr Theressa Frantz (T.Frantz@sanbi.org.za) and Prof Caroline Ncube (caroline.ncube@uct.ac.za)

Questions about the application process: Ms René du Toit (r.dutoit@sanbi.org.za).

SANBI and UCT reserve the right not to fill this fellowship. If no response has been received by end July 2023, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful.