Project Title

Health Financing Pathways to Achieve Universal Health Coverage within the Global Health Landscape.

Overview

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship focusing on health financing, universal health coverage (UHC), and global health policy. The project examines how domestic health financing systems can be aligned with global health priorities — including health security, digital transformation, and climate-resilient health systems — to advance equitable and sustainable healthcare outcomes in emerging economies.

Research Focus

The successful candidate will contribute to a multidisciplinary research programme grounded in health economics, public policy, and global health governance. The fellowship supports high-quality scholarly outputs, collaborative research, and policy-relevant engagement.

Key areas of focus include

• Health financing reforms and fiscal sustainability for UHC
• Political economy and governance of health systems
• Digital health and value-based financing models
• Climate financing and health system resilience
• Development of innovative analytical frameworks and indices

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent and collaborative research aligned with the project theme.
• Lead and co-author peer-reviewed journal publications.
• Contribute to grant development, policy briefs, and research dissemination.
• Support postgraduate supervision and interdisciplinary collaboration where appropriate.

Eligibility Criteria

• A PhD in Health Economics, Public Health, Economics, Development Studies, Policy Studies, Health Systems Research, or a related field (awarded within the past five years).
• Strong publication record or clear potential for high-impact research output.
• Experience in quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research.
• Demonstrated interest in global health policy or health financing.

Fellowship details

• Full-time, two-year fellowship, subject to satisfactory progress. Extension may be considered where exceptional scholarly performance has been demonstrated and funding is available.
• The stipend is aligned with the University’s postdoctoral fellowship scale (R320 000.00 per per annum, tax-free).
• The successful candidate will be issued with a student number and will have access to University resources. A dedicated office space will be provided.
• Candidates are responsible for accommodation, personal travel and expenses not covered by the postdoctoral fellowship agreement.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work within a high-impact, interdisciplinary research programme.
• Access to collaborative networks across Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Humanities.
• Mentorship in research leadership, publication strategy, and international collaboration.

Location

• NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus, South Africa

How to apply?

Applications should be submitted Estie Emtoch Estie.Emtoch@nwu.ac.za on or before 29 May 2026. The application should be written in English and include the following documents:

•  A motivation letter summarising the applicant's professional experience and expertise and describing why the applicant is interested in this position and the expected contribution to be made to the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (in collaboration with Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Humanities)
• A research plan for the next two years.
• An academic curriculum vitae (max. five pages).
• A complete list of published research outputs.
• Names and contact information of two references.
• Copy of identify document or similar
• Copy of PhD certificate
• Electronic copy of PhD Thesis
• Two latest published articles (peer-reviewed in reputable journals)

The fellowship will commence on 1 July 2026 (or based on the agreement). If you are not contacted within three weeks from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

For any additional enquiries, please contact: Prof M Sibanda Mabutho.Sibanda@nwu.ac.za