SKA South Africa Bursaries Application 2023 – 2024

About SKA South Africa

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) initiates South Africa’s activities in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Radio Telescope in engineering, science and construction. The SKA is currently the largest radio telescope ever built and will be located in Australia, in Africa as well as eight other African countries. SKA South Africa (SKA SA) is responsible for the construction of the SKA in South Africa. SKA

SARAO is a National Facility administered by the National Research Foundation. It combines radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT and KAT-7 telescopes in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.

SKA South Africa Bursaries

SKA South Africa is offering the following bursaries for qualified candidates:

Rhodes Centre For Radio Astronomy Techniques & Technologies Bursaries

The Radio Astronomy Techniques & Technologies (RATT) is granting financial assistance through bursaries for deserving postgraduate students looking to get involved in radio astronomy, MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array. The bursaries are renewable on an annual basis depending on the bursary holder’s academic progress results.

Currently, the funding levels for the bursary are:

• Honours (1 year): R131 000 per year
• Masters (2 years duration): R119 000 per year, R24 000 one-off equipment grant, R26 500 per year for educatinal travel costs
• Doctoral (3 years duration): R136 000 per year, R36 000 one-off equipment grant, R32 000 per year for educatinal travel costs

For more information about other research areas and projects of RATT, visit http://www.ratt-ru.org/research-areas.html.

South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) Diploma/Bachelor in Engineering Technology Bursaries

The duration of a SARAO diploma and bachelor bursary is:

• First-year student: 3 years
• Second-year student: 2 years
• Third-year student: 1 year

The Diploma in Engineering Technology bursary value for 2019 is R92 000 while R93 000 for Bachelor of Engineering Technology. Bursary values may be adjusted subject to technology fees and inflation.

Bursary conditions:

1. Proof of registration at the applicant’s institution must be submitted to SARAO otherwise, bursary funds will not be released.
2. SARAO bursary is renewable every six months and is subject to bursary holder’s academic results. Minimum 60% average is required for each semester.
3. The following instances will result to bursaries being withdrawn and refunded:
   • Bursary holder does not obtain the diploma or completed the degree
   • Abandoning of studies within the bursary period
   • Leaving the tertiary institution within the bursary period
4. Bursary holders are allowed to receive fundings from other sources to a maximum of 50% of SARAO bursary value. However, this must be informed to SARAO.
5. Changing the bursary holder’s field of study will require motivation and final decision from SARAO for approval. If the new field of study does not align with SARAO’s criteria and requirements, the funding will be terminated.
6. Upon completion of studies, bursary holders are required to submit a copy of diploma or degree certificate to SARAO.
7. Upon graduation, bursary holders may be required to perform a one-year internship with SARAO.
8. After internship completion, bursary holders may be required to work with SARAO for three years.

South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) Postdoctoral Fellowships Bursaries

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is inviting qualified postdoctoral applicants for five postdoctoral fellowships which will start in 2019. All nationalities are welcome, however, applicants from South Africa and SKA Partner Countries will be preferred.

Centre for Radio Cosmology Bursaries at the University of the Western Cape

Centre for Radio Cosmology (CRC) is offering MSc and PhD bursaries for the 2019 academic year. Successful applicants will be supervised by Prof Mario Santos, Prof Roy Maartens or Dr Ed Elson on most advanced projects in cosmology with radio surveys. Students will also have opportunities to spend time in institutions abroad such as Oxford University, University of Edinburgh, University of Turin and Queen Mary London.

The funding levels for the bursary are:

• MSc (2 years duration): R119 000 per year, R24 000 one-off equipment grant, R26 500 per year for educatinal travel costs
• PhD (3 years duration): R136 000 per year, R36 000 one-off equipment grant, R32 000 per year for educatinal travel costs

Bursary Conditions:

• Bursaries are awarded on an annual basis depending on student’s academic results.
• MSc students must complete the 6-month NASSP MSc course in Cape Town at the start of year 1 and obtain an average of at least 60%.

Research Topics Offered:

1. Measuring neutral hydrogen (HI) across cosmic time with MeerKAT.
2. Measuring the properties of HI galaxies.
3. Probing the first galaxies in the Universe.
4. The radio continuum sky below the detection threshold.
5. Measuring Dark Energy.
6. Testing Einstein’s theory of General Relativity.
7. Extracting information from the very early Universe.
8. Testing the Cosmological Principle.

Other topics not mentioned above may also be considered.

Requirements and Eligibility of All Four Bursaries

Rhodes Centre For Radio Astronomy Techniques & Technologies

• Strong academic record in one or preferably more of the following subjects: astronomy, computing science, mathematics and/or applied mathematics, physics, statistics, signal processing
• Applicants from the SKA Africa partner countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia will be prioritized. Applicants from other countries may be considered on exceptional basis.
• Applicants who wish to pursue postgraduate studies

South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) Postdoctoral Fellowships Bursaries

• Applicants from the SKA Africa partner countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia will be given preference. Applicants from other countries may be also be accepted
• Active in research since obtaining their Doctoral degree. Otherwise, the applicant must have obtained Doctoral degree on or after 30 September 2014
• Able to start with their postdoctoral fellowships in South Africa on or before 1 October 2019.

SARAO Diploma/Bachelor in Engineering Technology

• The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) will accept applications from:
• South African citizens and permanent residents
• Applicants who wish to study or are already studying towards either of the following:
  • Diploma in Engineering Technology: Electronics or Mechanical
  • Bachelor in Engineering Technology: Electronics or Mechanical
• For Diploma in Engineering Technology: Minimum of 60% in Mathematics and Physical Science in Grade 12, or a minimum average of 60% in Diploma subjects
• Bachelor in Engineering Technology: Minimum of 70% in Mathematics and Physical Science in Grade 12, or a minimum average of 60% in Degree subjects

Centre for Radio Cosmology Bursaries at the University of the Western Cape

• Applicants who wish to pursue studies in MSc and PhD degrees
• Applicants who fit into the demographic guidelines provided by the NRF and SARAO will be given preference

How to Apply and Application Details

Rhodes Centre For Radio Astronomy Techniques & Technologies

1. Prepare the following documents:
   • Motivational letter which describes the applicant’s background and intended subject of study
   • Detailed Curriculum Vitae
   • Certified copies of all academic transcripts
   • Details of three referees (referees will be asked to email reference letter, if applicant is shortlisted)
2. Send applications by email to: Prof O. Smirnov at o.smirnov@ru.ac.za

Diploma/Bachelor in Engineering Technology and Postdoctoral Fellowships Bursaries

Register your profile and apply online at: https://skagrants.nrf.ac.za

Centre for Radio Cosmology Bursaries at the University of the Western Cape

1. Send the following documents in PDF format by email:
   • CV
   • Certified copies of transcripts of all university-level results
   • Brief statement of research interests discussing the topics mentioned above.
2. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to arrange for 2 reference letters to be sent by referees, with the same closing date.
3. Submit above documents to: mgrsantos@uwc.ac.za

Closing Date

 Postdoctoral Fellowships Bursary: 15 September  Centre for Radio Cosmology Bursary at the University of the Western Cape: 20 September   Rhodes Centre For Radio Astronomy Techniques & Technologies Bursary: 1 OctoberDiploma/Bachelor in Engineering Technology Bursaries: 15 October 2018 

Contact Details

Rhodes Centre For Radio Astronomy Techniques & Technologies/Postdoctoral Fellowships:
Loyiso Gura at lgura@ska.ac.za

Diploma/Bachelor in Engineering Technology:
Annah Mashemola
Telephone: 0114422434
Email: amashemola@ska.ac.za

Centre for Radio Cosmology at the University of the Western Cape:
Email: mgrsantos@uwc.ac.za

More Science Bursaries