Introduction

Partnering for growth, at every level

The South African Postdoctoral Research Forum provides a meeting place for postdoctoral researchers in South Africa in which they share ideas on how to tackle the challenges presented in career-path planning, funding, and various institutional constraints. It offers a forum in which vibrancy, enthusiasm and passion for the research environment can be rekindled, where researchers and industry players can come together to create partnerships that will ensure sustainable research excellence and long-lasting partnerships in the academic research environment.

“We’re hoping to motivate and encourage South Africa’s postdoctoral researchers in this first South African Postdoctoral Research Forum,” says Dr Thandi Mgwebi, the programme director of the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) Human Capacity Programme. “Our pool of academic researchers is aging, and we want to encourage and motivate our postdoctoral students to help build and nurture a postdoctoral culture in South Africa.”

Collaborating for success
Dr Mgwebi acknowledges the constraints caused by a dearth of funding and a lack of positions in the country’s various tertiary institutions, but highlights the NRF’s ongoing work in sourcing new income for its various research programmes. “We are working with the Department of Science and Technology to gather more funding, and are also strengthening and forging more collaborations with other government departments and industry.”

As well as gathering funding for the various research programmes, Dr Mgwebi has various other strategies to build the vibrancy and strength of South Africa’s research community.

Career path planning
“The theme for this year’s forum is Career Pathing, and is aimed at reminding postdoctoral fellows about the need to plan their research careers,” says Dr Mgwebi. “The idea is to provide a platform where they can share information on the tools needed to plan their lives beyond their immediate projects, and to identify other skills that they need to pursue successful research careers, whether they stay in academia or move out into industry.

It is important that postdoctoral fellows identify a growth path that will match their skills and interests with environments that will nuture their talents, establish networks that will support them, and create opportunities for further funding and investment. These networks may well lead them away from the academic environment, but the NRF also aims to encourage the postdoctoral fellows to maintain their ties with academia, both for their benefit and for the benefit of the students who will follow in their footsteps.

“We want to support this valuable group of people, so that the can continue to contribute to South Africa’s intellectual capital. We know that they want to grow beyond the ‘student life’ to enjoy the rewards of a lucrative career and the joys of a family life. We need to look after them, and help them obtain the skills and support that will enable them to offer their best in both academia and society,” Dr Mgwebi concludes.