Apply for the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027

Application Deadline: October 20, 2026

About the Fellowship

The 2027 ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – Postdoctoral Fellowship is now accepting applications. A PhD degree in Biotechnology at the Cape Town Component, for commencement in early 2027, will be pursued by South African women researchers who are supported by the ICGEB-SAWBP PhD Fellowship Scheme, in partnership with the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. The interaction and mobility of South African women Biotechnology researchers and the ICGEB community are promoted by the SAWBP programme, including mobility support to conduct research at other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy, and New Delhi, India. Innovation is required of proposed doctoral research projects, which must fall within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas of research, namely: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, and Virology.

Eligibility Requirements

• 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

Fellowship Details

• Three-year PhD Fellowship
• Tuition fees at University of Cape Town and stipend of ZAR 16,500 per month
• Additional mobility support to conduct research at other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy, and New Delhi, India

Benefits of ICGEB SAWBP Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027

A very attractive package is comprised by the Fellowships:

• Immersion in a top-class international scientific research environment
• Three-year PhD Fellowship
• Tuition and stipend
• The latest techniques and methodologies are applied to the applicant’s chosen research topic
• Opportunities for mentoring, peer-to-peer learning, and complementary skills

Financial Support

• Duration: 3 years, based on satisfactory performance
• Tuition fees at University of Cape Town and stipend of ZAR 16,500 per month
• Additional mobility support to conduct research at other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy, and New Delhi, India, will be provided

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 Group Leader at the chosen ICGEB Cape Town laboratory should be contacted in advance to discuss the proposed research project. Innovation is required of proposed research projects, which must fall within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas of research, namely: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, and Virology.

Application Process

Email icgeb.sawbp@icgeb.org with the following:

• Copy of South African ID
• CV
• Detailed project proposal
• Letter of endorsement from ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader
• Proof of MSc degree or letter confirming intention to submit MSc thesis from supervisor (Note: at time of award, proof of MSc degree is required before commencing Fellowship)

Click here to apply

For More Information: Visit the Official ICGEB SAWBP Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 Page