As a contribution towards solving the unemployment problem amongst the youth of South Africa and using an endowment from the sale of the TB Davie Research Vessel, the Department of Oceanography is offering a one year work contract to a graduate from the MSc programme (you need not have officially graduated but you must have had your corrected thesis approved by the HoD / supervisor in order to be appointed). In exceptional cases, an Honours graduate may be considered. The position is not open to PhD students / graduates as the expectation is that these students will take up a postdoctoral position or other junior research scientist employment.

The starting date is flexible and will be timed to suit the submission date of the corrected thesis of the successful applicant.

The purpose of this position is to give the incumbent an opportunity to improve their workplace skills in preparation for entering the formal job market in some area of applied science or engineering. The incumbent will be trained in the use of ocean instrumentation, scientific software, remote sensing, and in equipment housed in the marine biogeochemistry laboratory. Duties will include assisting in departmental research, teaching and administrative activities as required, and contributing towards outreach activities developed for regional schools and the general public. To be considered for this position, applicants need to be of good academic standing and be in genuine financial need. The latter can be demonstrated through letters from community leaders (your doctor or religious minister) and from your parents / guardian (preferably with a recent SARS income tax assessment).

To apply, please send a letter of motivation explaining why you should be considered for the position and supporting documents (academic transcripts, reference letters, and proof of financial need) to Claire.Khai@uct.ac.za by October 31, 2014. Students currently enrolled in the 2014 Honours or MSc classes are eligible to apply.

The Department reserves the right not to make an appointment should there be no suitable applicants or if the funds are not sufficient in any particular year.