Job Description

In delivering social science that makes a difference, the Research Divisions, Units, Institutes and Centres of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) undertake policy-oriented research from its offices in Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, and Pietermaritzburg. Our public purpose mandate is set out in the Human Sciences Research Council Act of 2008.

The Equitable Education and Economies (EEE) division undertakes research to transform educational outcomes and increase economic participation. It recognises that education and the economy have long been linked and conducts research to understand educational performance and improve learning outcomes, and to interrogate social, spatial and structural obstacles to economic participation.

EEE has a large and vibrant research programme with over 60 experienced and emerging researchers working on methodological and transformative research. Current research in EEE includes young people and the future of work; youth transitions into the economy; undoing spatial divides in access to education and economies; the impact of digitalisation on education and the economy; the innovation needed to ensure wider participation in the economy and allow for greater services and support for food security; the role of the informal sector in generating livelihoods, land, housing and economic development; and the transformation of higher education including a wider role for Technical Vocational Education and Training colleges (TVETs).

EEE seeks to appoint a Research Director on a permanent contract to be based in Cape Town, Durban or Pretoria. The incumbent must have a PhD, and extensive knowledge of, and policy-relevant research experience in Economics or Education.

Research Director (1 Position)

Ref. No: EEE-Dir 01/24

Permanent contract

Minimum Requirements

• A PhD in Education, Economics, Sociology or in a related social sciences or humanities field;

• At least eight (8) years of research and management experience, preferably in a research institution or a university;

• Excellent writing skills in drafting briefing papers, reports, and academic publications for wider public dissemination of research findings;

• At least 20 peer-reviewed publications (books, books chapters, journal articles), of which several must be international, and several must be first or sole authored;

• Relevant quantitative and or qualitative research experience;

• Extensive experience in securing funding for research;

• Good research project management experience and the ability and enthusiasm to lead research teams in a large multidisciplinary research division;

• Intellectual leadership in a specified area, personal integrity, imagination and drive; and

• Skills in managing, mentoring and training team members.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Identify key research areas in support of national, African and global South development agendas;

• Formulate targeted research proposals and secure funding on a sustainable basis to enable policy relevant, strategic research projects;

• Implement and manage high quality, large scale, long-term research studies with a focus on social impact;

• Deliver high-quality results and reports to budget and deadline;

• Stimulate public debate, civil society engagement, and develop communities of practice to ensure uptake of evidence to transform educational and economic outcomes;

• Produce high quality knowledge outputs through publishing in accredited refereed journals, books, and book chapters and with collaborators on the African continent;

• Ensure research impact through government and stakeholder engagement, policy briefs and research reviews;

• Communicate research findings across multiple media platforms and at academic conferences and forums; and

• Develop research skills and competencies through formal and informal training for self and others.

The HSRC offers attractive, market-related packages depending on qualifications and experience.

Applications should include:

• A cover letter of motivation indicating your area of expertise (clearly marked), your suitability for the position, your goals, and the position you are applying for.

• A detailed CV which should clearly indicate your highest qualification; an indication of your quantitative and qualitative research experience; your fieldwork experience (not related to your degree) and details of your citizenship.

• The details of three recent referees with telephone number, email, and institutional affiliation.

• Copies of three first- or sole-authored publications.

The HSRC will only consider applications that comply with the above requirements.

Please note that applicants may be required to make a presentation pertaining to this position.

Please register and submit your application on-line at

Application Instructions:

• Candidates can make use of their mobile devices or any browser to register on the Neptune recruitment site, as well as to make application for available vacancies;

• Candidates will be prompted to upload their documents;

• Attachments must be less than 1MB (here is an on-screen option to resize);

• The Neptune system will only allow you to upload 1 attachment. Please ensure that all documents are merged into 1 file before uploading.

Enquiries about the nature of the position, and NOT applications, may be directed to: Prof Sharlene Swartz at email address

For further information about the HSRC or the post, please consult our website .

The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of its staff complement who are SA Citizens, black, female or disabled.

Closing date: 13 March 2024. We encourage applicants to submit applications prior to this 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.

The HSRC reserves the right not to make an appointment.

APPLICATIONS FROM RECRUITMENT AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

HSRC