The Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) within the Faculty of Engineering at Stellenbosch University (SU) focuses on research, postgraduate training and strategic initiatives in renewable energy and sustainable energy systems. The Centre hosts the ARUA Centre of Excellence in Energy, including the Water-Waste-Energy-Food (WWEF) Nexus portfolio, which promotes interdisciplinary research and collaboration across African institutions.

• Assisting with the preparation, editing and formatting of research reports, proposals and presentations.
• Facilitating communication within the research team and across departments to streamline workflow and collaboration.
• Assisting with data collection and maintaining databases for research projects.
• Supporting financial operations by assisting with budget preparation, processing invoices and tracking payments and expenses.
• Providing general administrative support, including managing schedules, coordinating meetings and handling correspondence.
• Managing the procurement of office equipment and other office supplies.
• Coordinating travel arrangements and accommodation for research staff.
• Serving as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, handling enquiries and directing them appropriately.
• Assiting with organising meetings, conferences and workshops.

Requirements:

• A university degree in a relevant field.
• At least two years' relevant work experience (research assistant/project management), or a master's/PhD in a relevant field.
• A high level of proficiency in the Microsoft Office software suite.
• Excellent communication skills in English.

Recommendations:

• Master's or PhD.
• Experience in research report and proposal writing.
• Accounting experience.
• Experience as a research assistant/administrator in a university environment in South Africa.
• Proficiency in Afrikaans and/or an additional African/official South African language.

Commencement of duties:
01 May 2026
Closing date:
27 March 2026

Enquiries about this post: Prof Cristina Trois or Dr Andrea Dell'Orto on 021 808 4251, or at cristinatrois@sun.ac.za or dellortoa@sun.ac.za
Enquiries about remuneration/benefits and technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre, on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch), or 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at sun-e-hr@sun.ac.za

The University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the institutional EE Plan.
Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and email addresses of at least three references), must reach the University before or on the closing date in the advertisement.

Apply online at https://www.su.ac.za/en/careers-su by clicking "Apply now" at the top to the right of the page for the specific vacancy.
The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires people in occupations that entail potential exposure to certain hazards (such as noise, hazardous chemical substances and hazardous biological agents) to undergo medical screening to determine whether they be fit to work in those occupations.
If you have received no feedback from the University after four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application was unsuccessful.

The TUM SEED Center is an Excellence Centre for Exchange and Development, funded by DAAD
and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development from 2020 to 2029.
The TUM SEED Center conducts research and offers higher education at the intersection of
Sustainable Energies, Entrepreneurship, and Development (SEED) in the Global South. The TUM
SEED Center consists of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and ten leading technical
universities across the Global South, including Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia), Bandung Institute of
Technology (Indonesia), Burkina Institute of Technology (Burkina Faso), Kwame Nkrumah University
of Science and Technology (Ghana), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India), Jomo Kenyatta
University of Agriculture and Technology (Kenya), Makerere University (Uganda), Namibia University
of Science and Technology (Namibia), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Peru), and
Stellenbosch University (South Africa).
Who can apply?
This scholarship is open to currently enrolled master's students at one of the TUM SEED Center
partner universities who have an excellent academic record and a strong motivation to apply for a
two-week international summer school in Sustainable Energies and Entrepreneurship at TUM with
scholarship support. We seek engaged students from the Global South who are highly interested in
sustainable development and eager to contribute to meaningful change. Applicants should have a
keen interest in sustainable development and interdisciplinary research at the intersection of
sustainable energies and entrepreneurship. Women and individuals with disabilities are particularly
encouraged to apply.

The scholarship supports participation in the International Summer School at TUM and includes:
• Program participation fee
• Accommodation
• Flight tickets
Please note:
• Accommodation and mobility costs are booked and covered directly by the TUM SEED Center, in line
with the principles of economic efficiency and frugality.
• The organizational responsibility for visa applications lies entirely with the students. While the TUM
SEED Center can offer recommendations, all formalities and arrangements must be handled by the
applicants themselves.
• If a student is unable to travel to Germany (e.g., due to visa issues or personal reasons), the scholarship
will be forfeited.
• If a student's flight ticket needs to be changed, is missed, or requires cancellation, the student is
responsible for covering any additional costs. The TUM SEED Center does not cover such expenses,
and it is the student's responsibility to manage any necessary modifications.

Required Application Documents:

• CV
• Current transcript of records
• University admission/certificate of enrollment
• Copy of your passport
• Other relevant certificates

Application Process:

Interested students must submit their applications via the online form at https://wkf.ms/4s03Nyk by
31 March 2026, 23:59 CET (late applications will not be considered).
Required Application Documents
• CV
• Current transcript of records
• University admission/certificate of enrollment
• Copy of your passport
• Other relevant certificates

Contact:
If you have questions regarding this announcement, please contact the TUM SEED Center at seedcenter(
at)tum.de.

The research pertains to ongoing work within the Power Systems Research Group (PSRG) in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering department at Stellenbosch University, in close collaboration with the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies. PSRG's focus areas include understanding sources of uncertainty and variability in the modern power system, developing appropriate energy and network models, and evaluating the associated techno-economic impacts. Additionally, the group endeavours to develop computational tools to support the planning and operations of power systems with high penetration of renewable energy resources.

The postdoctoral candidate will contribute to the research activities in energy modelling and grid impact assessment. The research results are expected to be published in high-impact factor journals and top international conferences. Limited mentoring and supervision of postgraduate students within the Power Systems Research Group will also be required.

The fellowship is available for one year and is renewable for a second year subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

•PhD (must have graduated within the last five years)
•Excellent communication skills in English (both written and verbal)
•Experience in one or more of the following fields: grid integration studies, hosting capacity analyses, hosting capacity regulations and policy, energy modelling, and load modelling.
•Familiarity with power system software such as DigSilent Powerfactory, Plexos, OpenDSS, or PandaPower
•Good programming command in MATLAB and Python
•Familiarity with South African grid codes, regulations and policies will be beneficial.

Application process: Send a letter of application, accompanied by a 2-page curriculum vitae, including a list of publications, a link to the candidate's PhD thesis, and the names and contact details of two referees, to Prof Bernard Bekker, bbekker@sun.ac.za

Please note that postdoctoral fellows are not appointed as employees, and their fellowships are awarded tax-free. They are therefore not eligible for employee benefits.

Host: Prof Bernard Bekker, SARChI chair in Power System Simulation, and Associate Director at the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, Engineering Faculty, Stellenbosch University.

Commencement of duties: As soon as possible