UCT’s School of IT (SIT) is establishing a transdisciplinary NRF funded Presidential PhD Programme (PPP) in Digital Transformation, hosting a national hub that connects the University of Pretoria, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Vaal University of Technology, North-West University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and the University of the Western Cape. Drawing on UCT's established leadership in AI and cybersecurity networks and its robust PhD training infrastructure, the programme will build PhD-level expertise across the ICT disciplines, with a focus on AI and cybersecurity applied to South Africa's priority areas of agriculture, health, small business, and public sector innovation. Through structured coursework, joint supervision, strong mentorship and support, research retreats, international exchanges, and strong academia-industry-government partnerships, the programme aims to produce locally relevant digital solutions, strengthen graduate employability, and advance transformation across South Africa's higher education and innovation landscape.
The PPP is granting 6 PhD and 5 Postdoctoral fellowships in 2027 within SIT in research aligned with our focus on AI and cybersecurity.
Candidates should be based full-time in Cape Town, South Africa, for the duration of their fellowships and participate in the growing interdisciplinary network of students and faculty participating in the PPP and will be required to secure a study visa if not from South Africa.
The PhD scholarship will be from R200 000 per annum and will include an equipment allowance, conference travel and mobility funding. It is normally funded for up to 3 years, subject to degree requirements and demonstration of adequate progress. PhD candidates should be accepted by UCT for registration for a PhD in either Computer Science or Information Systems for 2027. An internal application process will commence after PhD applications have closed towards the end of 2026.
- Applicants should have a minimum of 65% for master’s degree in computer science, information systems or a related field
- Applicants who commenced their studies on a part-time basis and wish to be considered for funding to complete their studies on a full-time basis need to be registered full-time for their second, third, or fourth year of doctoral studies in 2027 (registered for their doctoral studies after July 2024)
- Individuals in contractual or permanent employment, whether salaried or unpaid, that exceeds 12 hours of work per week while pursuing doctoral studies may not hold the scholarship.
- Individuals who are on sabbatical leave from their current employment may not hold the scholarship
The Post-doc scholarship will be from R370 000 per annum which includes an equipment allowance and conference travel funding. It is normally funded for up to 2 years, subject to demonstration of adequate progress.
- Applicants must have graduated with their doctoral degree within five (5) years of applying. Applicants that obtained their doctoral degree prior to February 2021 are therefore not eligible to apply;
- Applicants who are currently completing their doctoral dissertation for submission may apply. They should however complete their doctoral degree by 31 December 2026.
- Full-time employees are only eligible to apply if they intend to take unpaid leave for the duration of the postdoctoral fellowship;
- Applicants who have previously received two NRF Postdoctoral research placements are not eligible.
To apply for post-doctoral scholarships, please submit a curriculum vitae (2-3 pages); Academic Transcripts that show the marks/scaling of your prior masters and doctoral degrees; TOEFL/IELTS Results; A brief research proposal (2-3 pages) based on the focus area described above; Please submit a single pdf file, comprising ALL the application materials, via email to sit-manager@uct.ac.za
Your proposal must outline your research question(s) and proposed methodology for conducting the research or alternatively outline your research interests and how your expertise and interests align with the advertised focus areas. If you have more than one area of interest, please indicate this at the end of your research proposal. Supervision options will be explored as part of the selection process, based on topic alignment with available supervisors. Applicants’ must attach proof of their qualifications to their application. For those who are in the process of completing their doctoral degree, a letter of confirmation from their current institution, stating that their doctoral qualification will be completed by December 2026 must be attached to the application.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and are expected to arrange for three reference letters to be submitted and be available for a video-conference interview. Questions or requests for more information can be made to the School of IT Manager, Mr Luyanda Bheyile via email (sit-manager@uct.ac.za)
The University of Cape Town reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications. The University of Cape Town reserves the right to change the conditions of award or to make no awards at all.