The Future Water Institute at the University of Cape Town invites applications for a Project Manager to be based at the Water Hub in Franschhoek, Cape Town, South Africa. This full-time contract position offers an exciting opportunity to support an ambitious demonstration project on the Food-Energy-Water-Waste Nexus (FEWW). The role is ideally suited to a dynamic and skilled researcher passionate about nature-based solutions (NBS), the circular economy, sustainability science and development. Working within a transdisciplinary team of local and international partners, the successful candidate will lead, coordinate, and deliver scientific research and innovation activities across multiple work packages. The Water Hub is an established living laboratory for integrated FEWW approaches. This project will expand existing NBS infrastructure (biofilters and SMART tanks) for wastewater reclamation; develop a circular resource model linking reclaimed water to food production and organic waste to biogas and fertilizer; co-create sustainable technologies and business models with local communities; and promote ecosystem restoration, greenhouse gas reduction, and sustainable livelihoods.
We are especially looking for someone with strong water quality analysis skills who is comfortable working in a field-based setting.
Requirements for the job:
• Master’s degree in Environmental engineering, Water Resources, Environmental Sciences, Sustainable Agriculture, or related field.
• Demonstrable skills and experience in managing projects (including field-based research projects).
• Strong quantitative and experimental research skills.
• Experience in a combination of the following: NBS treatment systems, biogas production, environmental monitoring, soil/water analysis, hydrological or environmental modelling.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• South African citizenship or eligibility to work in South Africa (i.e. in possession of a valid work permit).
• Driver’s license.
The following will be advantageous:
• PhD in Environmental engineering, Water Resources, Environmental Sciences, Sustainable Agriculture, or related field.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications or relevant technical outputs.
• Commitment to sustainability, social justice, and community empowerment.
• Experience with multi-stakeholder partnerships (academia, NGOs, government, communities).
• Knowledge of GIS, environmental data analysis, or modelling software (MODFLOW, SWMM, MATLAB, R)
• Experience supervising interns or student researchers.
• Familiarity with the SDGs (especially SDG 6, 11, 12, 13).
• Afrikaans or isiXhosa speaking ability.
Responsibilities:
• Manage water reclamation and ecosystem restoration activities – including operating/optimising the NBS treatment systems and conducting water quality monitoring.
• Manage resource recovery components, including developing tools and frameworks for waste management.
• Conduct market potential assessments and support socio-economic development aspects.
• Research reporting, capacity-building and outreach.
• General site supervision (including staff), operations and maintenance at the Water Hub.
• Support for researchers and visitors to the site.
• Stakeholder engagement around research activities
