Application Deadline: 15 April 2026
Applications are now open for the 2026 ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – Postdoctoral Fellowship. The ICGEB-SAWBP Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme, in partnership with the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Research Foundation will support South African women researchers holding a PhD degree, in Biotechnology or a related discipline, having outstanding ability, and who will perform hypothesis-driven research.
The SAWBP programme promotes the interaction and mobility of South African women Biotechnology researchers and the ICGEB community, including mobility support to visit other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India. Proposed research projects must be innovative and fall within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas of research, namely: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, Biopesticides and Virology.
The Fellowships comprise a very attractive package:
- Immersion in a top class international scientific environment
- Two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship at ICGEB Cape Town
- Applying the latest techniques and methodologies to the applicant’s chosen research topic
- Opportunities for mentoring, peer-to-peer learning and complementary skills
Eligibility
- Female applicants only.
- Only South African citizens and South African Permanent Residents with a valid South African ID number may apply.
- Preference will be given to Black and disabled applicants.
Financial support
- Duration: 2 years
- Fellowship package:
Non-taxable stipend: ZAR 320 000 per annum
Research costs: ZAR 50 000 per annum - Additional mobility support to visit other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India, will be provided.
Application process
- Applicants interested in the ICGEB-SAWBP programme should apply under the NRF Postdoctoral Grants (indicating ‘ICGEB’ as the institution of choice).
- In addition, further criteria and eligibility requirements are noted in the NRF Postdoctoral Fellowships Framework (accessible on the NRF website)
How to Apply
- A letter of endorsement from the ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader must be submitted with the application. Please note that the written statement from the ICGEB Group Leader you have contacted and who is willing to support your project is mandatory to apply.
- The Principal Investigator/Group Leader at the chosen ICGEB Cape Town laboratory should be contacted in advance to discuss the proposed research project. ICGEB Cape Town group lists.
- Proposed research projects must be innovative and fall within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas of research, namely: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Biopesticides, Plant Systems Biology, and Virology.
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