The Centre for Development Support

Fully funded postgraduate opportunities available for 2027!

The DSI-NRF Research Chair in City and Regional Economies at the University of the Free State is inviting applications for:

• Full-time PhD bursaries x2
• Full-time Masters bursary x1

The scholarships cover tuition, living expenses and related study costs.
This is an excellent opportunity for graduates interested in:

• Urbanisation and economic development
• Urban housing, land and spatial inequalities
• Strategic industries and business dynamics
• The formal and informal economies of cities, including spatial patterns and
trends
• Dynamic places – central cities, business nodes and township economies
• Urban labour markets, unemployment and poverty
• Urban governance, policy and practice, including public-private partnerships and civil society engagement
• The delivery and financing of urban infrastructure and essential services, including transport, energy, water, sanitation and waste services

Successful candidates will join a dynamic research community led by Professor Ivan Turok.

Application deadline: 31 May 2026

To apply, submit the following as a single PDF:
• CV
• Academic transcripts
• ID/passport
• Short research proposal (500–1500 words)

Submit applications to: Ms Nomvula Makhubu [email protected]

For more information:
Prof Ivan Turok [email protected]
Prof Abrahama Matamanda [email protected]