Post-Doctoral Fellowship Opportunity at ACMS, Wits University – Apply by 29 October 2025

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Opportunity at ACMS, Wits University – Apply by 29 October 2025

Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Migration and Displacement at Wits University’s ACMS (Apply by 29 Oct 2025)

The African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the field of migration and displacement. This prestigious opportunity is designed for early-career scholars seeking to deepen their research and academic engagement within one of Africa’s most respected centres for the study of human mobility and social transformation.

Application Deadline: 29 October 2025
Expected Start Date: November 2025 (flexible)

About the African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS)

Established in 1993, ACMS is a globally recognised research and teaching centre based at Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Centre is known for its interdisciplinary approach to migration studies, combining insights from sociology, anthropology, law, and political science to inform policy and public discourse across Africa and beyond.

ACMS’s research focuses on themes of mobility, human rights, governance, and social justice, working closely with governments, international organisations, NGOs, and local communities to shape inclusive and evidence-based responses to migration and displacement.

Fellowship Focus Areas

The 2025–2026 Post-Doctoral Fellowship supports original research aligned with ACMS’s mission of advancing critical scholarship on migration and human mobility. Applicants with expertise or interest in the following areas are especially encouraged to apply:

• Migration law and policy

• Human rights and social justice

• Labour migration and informal economies

• Gender, sexuality, and queer mobilities

Proposals that engage interdisciplinary, critical, or decolonial perspectives are particularly welcomed.

Fellowship Benefits

The fellowship provides a stimulating research environment and access to extensive academic and professional networks. Key benefits include:

• Integration into a leading interdisciplinary research community

• Opportunities to collaborate on ACMS research projects and initiatives

• Academic mentorship and support for publications and policy engagement

• Space for independent research aligned with ACMS priorities

• Networking opportunities with scholars and civil society organisations across Africa and globally

Residency and Location

The fellowship is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the University of the Witwatersrand. The successful applicant is expected to reside in Johannesburg for the duration of the fellowship and actively participate in the Centre’s academic life, seminars, and research collaborations.

Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is open to candidates who have completed their PhD within the last five years in a relevant discipline such as sociology, anthropology, law, political science, gender studies, or development studies.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A strong research background in migration, displacement, or related areas

• A clear record or potential for high-quality publications

• Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and public scholarship

• Familiarity with migration issues in Africa or the Global South

• A commitment to critical and reflexive research on inequality, governance, and social transformation

Duration and Remuneration

• Duration: One year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on performance

• Remuneration: ZAR 395,000 per year

• Additional Support: Wits medical aid and ZAR 10,000 research funding per year

• Start Date: 1 November 2025 (negotiable)

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a single PDF document containing the following:

1. Cover letter outlining your research interests and alignment with ACMS priorities

2. Full academic CV, including publications

3. A brief research proposal (maximum 1,000 words) outlining your intended project

4. Contact details of two academic referees

Submit by: 29 October 2025

Application Link: Apply Here

Why Apply?

This fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity to join a globally connected African research hub and contribute to advancing scholarship on migration and displacement. Fellows will gain mentorship, resources, and a collaborative environment to develop impactful research that informs both academic and policy debates.

If you are an early-career scholar passionate about mobility, human rights, and social justice in Africa, this fellowship provides the ideal platform to take your research to the next level.