The Power Futures Lab (PFL) is a research group located within the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town. PFL is dedicated to advancing understanding and capacity in the African power sector through research, training, and knowledge sharing. We focus on power sector investment, power markets, sector reform, and the energy transition, aiming to support sustainable power sector development across Africa.
We seek a highly motivated and competent Senior Research Officer to join our dynamic and interdisciplinary team on a full-time, 25-month contract. The appointee will be responsible for building out power markets as a new research area for PFL, which will include supervising PhD students, raising funding, and developing, convening, and delivering executive education short courses. This will involve conducting high-quality research that informs the development of effective power market structures in Africa (in particular South Africa) and creating training content that is relevant to the unique challenges faced by African countries. The role also includes fostering collaborations with other research institutions, government bodies, and industry stakeholders to advance the understanding of power markets in Africa. By contributing to both the academic and practical aspects of power markets, the role aims to enhance PFL’s capacity to influence and shape the future of power markets in Africa, bridging the gap between research, policy, and practical implementation. The Senior Research Officer will also be expected to contribute to the strategic direction of PFL, identifying emerging trends and opportunities in the power sector that align with PFL’s mission and can guide future research and training initiatives.
The ideal candidate should hold a PhD in power markets or a related field, have a strong research background (incl. qualitative and quantitative analysis) and academic writing skills, and have at least 3 years’ research experience in power sector dynamics, preferably in developing country contexts. Experience with executive education, research leadership, and funding acquisition will be advantageous.