AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship

Location: Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa
Duration: 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2028

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences in South Africa invites applications for an Artificial Intelligence in Science postdoctoral fellowship.

This one-year appointment at AIMS South Africa is linked to a one year Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellowship at Imperial College, London, which commences on 1 September 2026. The AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship at AIMS follows immediately after the Fellowship at Imperial College. Candidates are required to apply for both appointments, and the application for the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellowship can be found on Imperial College’s website at: imperial.ac.uk/ix-ai-in-science/apply/.

The two back-to-back fellowships will provide a postdoctoral researcher a unique platform for innovation and an  opportunity to conduct impactful research between the United Kingdom and South Africa.

The AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellow at AIMS South Africa aims to support an excellent researcher and accelerate the Postdoctoral Fellow in using AI to advance and disrupt Science or Engineering.

In Artificial Intelligence in Science, ‘AI’ is interpreted very broadly, e.g.: topics in Bayesian Inference and Robotics; ‘Science’ covers any typical topic in Natural Science and Engineering (Epidemiology, Biology and basic science in biomedicine are included but clinical medical themes are not covered, including conventional medical imaging). Examples include Bayesian optimization for molecular or materials design; machine learning for single cell data; physics-based ML for turbine design and astrostatistics. The fellowship is not suitable for generic AI research with general application: candidates must be aiming to substantially advance a particular area of science. Applicants could view themselves as AI researchers tackling particular pieces of science or science researchers using AI to transform their area. Extensive AI knowledge is not required, and AI training is offered.

The core requirements for the Postdoctoral Fellow are:

• Hold a PhD (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline by 1 September 2027.
• The potential for leadership qualities in the subject, as illustrated, for example, through showing initiative on research projects.
• An outstanding research record commensurate with their level of experience as demonstrated, for example, through an outstanding thesis, publications, conference presentations, code etc.
• A proposal which is within the AI in Science research remit.

For more information please view the full job here.

Applying

Because the Fellowship is linked with an Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellowship at Imperial College, applicants should send a subset of documents that they would submit for the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellowship at Imperial College to vacancies@aims.ac.za with the email heading “AI for Science Postdoctroal Felloship”.

These are: 

1. A full Curriculum Vitae including publications.

Additionally, please include an additional single file with:

2. Publication Elaboration: a 1 page, or less, note outlining the contribution of up to three papers by the applicant. This should be suitable for a general scientific reader.
3. Research Proposal Summary: a 1 page or less, summary of the proposed research suitable for a general scientific audience including the title of the research project. Particular attention will be paid to this summary. It should answer the question of why/how this application of AI will be transformative for the target area of science.
4. Research Proposal: a 3 pages or less proposal that explains why and how the proposed research could be transformative for a particular area of science. It can be structured around background, a small number of hypotheses/aims, and work packages. It can be assumed that the reader will first read the Summary and so content need not be repeated.
5. Kindness Statement: a ¼ page or less outline of your view on the need for kindness among scientists. The fellows will join a cohort of fellows in AI for Science with opportunities for outreach and LMIC engagement.

Machine Learning Researcher: Earth Observation & Ecology

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) South Africa is looking to hire a skilled and motivated Machine Learning Researcher to join our team in Cape Town. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing innovative machine learning algorithms and models to analyze satellite imagery, Earth observation and remote sensing data (e.g. acoustic monitoring and camera traps). Use cases could include  disease modelling and prediction, and wildlife monitoring tasks. Recent trends in deep learning open up large potential for impactful research by harnessing the vast data volumes related to Earth observation and remote sensing. The researcher will have a flexi-role: work closely with CLIMADE (https://climade.health/africa/) on projects related to climate change and the spread of vector borne disease, and contribute to research in machine learning for ecological tasks.

What we are looking for:

• PhD in machine learning, computer science or related field.
• Experience in collecting and processing satellite data, e.g. Sentinel-2 or Landsat-8.
• A track record of research and scientific discovery, including publications related to deep learning.
• An ability to communicate research to scientific and public audiences.
• Experience in developing, debugging and publishing research code.

What you will do:

• You will lead and pursue a long-term ambitious research agenda related to machine learning using Earth observation data (focusing on arboviral diseases in Africa) or with remote sensing data (audio, camera traps).
• You will share research findings clearly and efficiently both internally at AIMS and externally to the research community and public, verbally and in writing.
• You will enjoy working in a multi-cultural pan-African environment, 50 metres away from Cape Town’s #1 surf spot.

If you love making connections between people and ideas, if you love starting new things, enjoy scientific freedom, and you are excited about the idea of advancing machine learning in Africa, then this job is for you. AIMS has a social mission. There are opportunities to participate in activities related to AIMS and the research centre.

To apply, please e-mail the below documents in three pdf files to our recruitment team at ml-positions@aims.ac.za

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover letter detailing your relevant experience in working with Earth observation data and machine learning
• Proof of Ph.D. completion

There is no application deadline, and the position will be filled when a suitable candidate is found.

Questions about the position may be addressed to ml-positions@aims.ac.za.

Master’s and doctoral study in the Research Centre

The AIMS South Africa Research Centre offers Doctoral and Masters bursaries for research study in the Centre (details on the research areas supported at the Research Centre may be found at Research). South African students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds are especially welcome.

AIMS South Africa is able to offer funding for bursaries as well as accommodation and meals, supervision and co-supervision of students. Interested students should submit the completed application form, a short proposal of their intended study (not more than two pages) as well as their academic record and a brief CV to the Administrative Officer at research-admin@aims.ac.za. Academics who wish to make enquiries about co-supervision of their students in multidisciplinary areas are encouraged to contact the Director of AIMS South Africa.

Visiting Research Fellowships

The AIMS South Africa Research Centre offers a variety of fellowships for visiting researchers. Interested researchers may apply to visit for short (2-week) or longer periods. Research fellows may conduct their own research at AIMS, participate in the teaching programmes and give talks in the journal club.  Visits to local universities can be arranged.

1. Advanced PhD students and postdoctoral fellows can apply for a two-month AIMS Research Fellowship.

2. Researchers who wish to visit AIMS for a period of time (normally between two and six months) are encouraged to  to apply for a longer-term AIMS Research Fellowships. Preference will be given to African applicants, particularly those from SADC member states.

3. Research in pairs initiative: 2-4 week visits by a South African researcher and a local research partner from another university or an international research partner or a PhD or postdoctoral student.

Application process

Each applicant should provide a curriculum vitae including degrees and awards received, and a list of publications, as well as a statement of future research and career plans. Applications should be sent to research-admin@aims.ac.za

Applicants must also arrange for two confidential reference letters from academics familiar with their research to be sent in support of their application. Referees should email reference letter directly to the AIMS South Africa Administrative Officer.

Application for Bursary for Master’s or PhD Study at a South African University

AIMS is offering a matching half bursary (maximum R45 000) to its recent graduates who wish to study towards a Research Master’s or PhD degree at a South African University. Please note that applicants are responsible for their repatriation fee deposits if necessary.

Bursaries are only awarded under the following conditions:

1. That the university will pay a matching amount from its own funds or from research funds of the
   supervisor towards the bursary.
2. That AIMS approves the study programme and topic.
3. That the student will not do more than 10 hours of tutoring services per week to generate additional
   income.
4. That the university will waive the difference between fees for foreign students and local students in
   addition to the bursary offered.
5. That the student commences the study programme by February of the year following completion of
   completing the AIMS programme.

The bursary is paid in two parts, the first on registration and the second, 9 months later, on receipt of a satisfactory progress report

Prospective applicants are required to complete the application form and to submit this to academic-admin@aims.ac.za with the following documentation

1. A short proposal of the intended research topic.
2. A letter from the proposed supervisor or department, confirming acceptance on to the programme, and the awarding of a matching half bursary; the amount of the bursary must be specified.
3. A brief CV of the supervisor, if the supervisor has has not previously supervised AIMS students, or is not known to AIMS