For Application & File upload via Homepage University of Pretoria, click here .
Important Notice: Application Status Update
The application deadline for African candidates has now passed.
The UKUDLA homepage at ukudla.uni-hohenheim.de is intended for
German candidates and international candidates with a clear relation to Germany
(e.g. degree obtained from a German university and current place of residence in Germany).
The application deadline for the German doctoral and postdoctoral candidates has been extended.
Any questions regarding the African PhD or postdoctoral calls should be directed to the
University of Pretoria team.
Target group and place of tenure
- Candidates with a doctoral degree in a discipline broadly linked to food systems or data sciences are interested in how these fields intersect.
- Candidates who are motivated and able to conduct advanced academic research, to deepen their expertise, develop new skills, and contribute to knowledge generation and transfer according to objectives of the UKUDLA Centre of excellence.
- Candidates who are not currently involved in another fellowship and are prepared to undertake the fellowship in a full-time role.
- For the duration of the scholarship, successful candidates will be based at one of the network's institutions in South-Africa or Malawi.
Application requirements
- Graduates who have successfully completed a doctoral degree;
- Clearly show motivation and strong commitment through a written statement;
- Have completed their last university degree not more than 6 years ago at the time of application;
- Candidates must be able to supply at least one academic reference.
Submission of application
As a first step, all applicants must submit a completed application form, which can be completed here. (University Pretoria)
The following attachments must be uploaded as part of the application:
- A copy of your National Identification Card or, if not applicable, a copy of your passport.
- A completed project proposal form (available to download here) (University Pretoria) or at the UKUDLA website at Hohenheim University https://ukudla.uni-hohenheim.de/en
- At least one recent academic recommendation letter. Preferably from your PhD or previous Fellowship supervisor.
- Letter of Support from the partner institution in South Africa or Malawi.
- Certified copies of all previous university degree certificates.
- Short CV (2 pages maximum), including a list of (selected) publications.
The application form also requires a motivational statement (250 words each on your research interest, how the fellowship will impact your career path, what impact it will have on your community or environment and a description of your academic and career journey).
Selection procedure
Applications will go through an administrative review to ensure all qualifying criteria are met. If an application meets the specified criteria and the research topic is relevant to the theme of sustainable, resilient food systems and data science, it will be sent for review by the selection committee. Applications will be peer-reviewed by two selection committee members using a rating rubric. The research proposal will be weighted according to its importance. A shortlist will be produced, and selected candidates will be invited to participate in an online interview.
The successful candidates will be informed before the end of June 2025, to commence their scholarship earliest in July 2025.
Payment of fellowship funds
The fellowship stipend will be paid directly to the fellowship holder’s account. Further details will be communicated after admission to the fellowship programme in the Letter of Award and Fellowship Agreement.
Expectations of UKDULA postdoctoral fellows
UKUDLA scholarship holders are expected to actively engage in their fellowship, as demonstrated by submitting a well-developed research project proposal and regular progress reports detailing their research. They are also expected to contribute to the academic community by publishing their research findings in peer-reviewed journals. Furthermore, scholarship holders should actively participate in science communication, disseminating their research to broader audiences.
Postdoc scholars will conduct advanced academic research, deepen their expertise, develop new skills, and contribute to knowledge generation and transfer. The postdocs will work independently and lead a thematic research area at the Centre based at one of the core institutions. They are expected to contribute to supervising PhD and MSc students while collaborating with German postdocs and being mentored by senior academics at the Centre. During their fellowship, they will design, and conduct research using theoretical or practical approaches, analyse data, and contribute to the Centre's data science hub.
Postdocs will also be expected to organise and contribute to thematic workshops to support the concept of transfer cycles and present results at conferences and seminars. They will also contribute to developing e-learning teaching modules based on their specific expertise.
Deadline & Contact & Email address for queries
Deadline
The deadline for applications is 01 July 2025 (extended).
Contact & Email address for queries
Application via the link available here.
For further information see also UKUDLA website at University of Hohenheim: https://ukudla.uni-hohenheim.de/en
Any questions or queries can be directed by e-mail to ukudla@uni-hohenheim.de
Frequently Asked Questions
The fellowship is designed as a 12-month programme. Shorter durations (e.g., 2–3 months) are not intended within this funding framework.
You need to identify a potential mentor / scientific partner at the African institution with whom you want to collaborate during your fellowship. Reach out to this person and ask if they agree to support your project and act as your host. If they agree, ask them for a letter of support, which you can then upload with your application.
If you do not yet have contact with a partner or have not secured their support by the time you submit your application, it is possible to submit the letter of support at a later stage.
You are responsible for identifying a suitable scientific partner or host researcher at one of the UKUDLA partner institutions in South Africa or Malawi.
UKUDLA does not provide a predefined list of partner institutions / scientist, but you are welcome to reach out to relevant departments, research groups, or faculty members whose expertise aligns with your proposed topic.
The programme is flexible and open to collaboration with any willing academic within the partner institutions. If you're having difficulty making contact, the UKUDLA coordination team can help facilitate an introduction.
You may choose your preferred host institution based on your research topic and existing collaborations. You are encouraged to reach out to relevant departments at partner universities.
UKUDLA coordinators can help facilitate contacts if needed.
No. This specific call is for German candidates (or International candidates with a clear connection to Germany (e.g. currently residing in Germany or holding a degree from a German university)).
Based on your place of residence and nationality, you would be eligible for the African UKUDLA Postdoc programme, not the German one.
No. The scholarship cannot be used to bridge or extend a project that began under another funding programme.
Yes, you may develop your proposal without a specific scientific partner, but a letter of support is recommended and may be required later.
You are encouraged to identify a scientific partner, but it’s not strictly required. A letter of support from the partner institution is optional but helpful.
No. You must not be involved in another fellowship at the time of applying or during the UKUDLA fellowship.
No. Candidates must have completed their doctoral degree not more than 4 years before the time of application. However, special personal situations (such a children) will be accounted for.
The deadline for PostDoc applications (Cohort 1, German candidates) is extended to 01 July 2025.
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