Project background
Managing alien tree species which offer substantial benefits yet pose high invasion risks is a major socio-ecological challenge that is growing in intensity and complexity as global change drivers increasingly affect people and nature. South Africa has been termed the “world capital of tree invasions” and is a global leader in their ecology and management. This post-doctoral project will synthesize benefits and risks into an integrated framework to address conflict-generating alien taxa .
The project will: 1) test the framework on various taxa and at least one site; 2) develop protocols to improve how risk analyses are informed by data on a) benefits and b) impacts; 3) evaluate options for permit conditions; and 4) assess how global change drivers will impact the management of conflict-generating alien trees.
Funding
Funding available for two years (second year of funding conditional on performance in year one)
R 300,000 (tax-free) per year plus a once-off amount of R 100,000 towards running expenses for the project
Prefered starting date
1 February 2026
Requirements
- A PhD in invasion science or related field (degree granted not more than four years ago).
- A good publication record during PhD and/or any subsequent postdoctoral period.
- Fluency in English.
- Strong skills in data analysis and statistics.
- Interest in the use of data from citizen science platforms (e.g. iNaturalist).
- Good people skills.
- Ability to work in a team.
- Willingness and capacity to partake in complementary academic development tasks, including student supervision, lecturing or mentoring.
- South African citizen or permanent resident.
What to include with the application
Interested candidates are required to submit a CV together with a covering letter that provides a motivation for their application that specifically addresses each of the requirements above in as much detail as possible.
It should specifically include a publication list, a full academic transcript and proof of all academic qualifications, and the names and contact details (email and telephone) of at least two referees.
Please submit applications and address all inquiries to Prof. David Richardson (rich@sun.ac.za)
Closing date for applications
28 November 2025
Further reading
Van Wilgen, B.W., Richardson, D.M. (2012). Three centuries of managing introduced conifers in South Africa: benefits, impacts, changing perceptions and conflict resolution. Journal of Environmental Management 106: 56–68.
Van Wilgen, B.W., Richardson, D.M. (2014. Challenges and trade-offs in the management of invasive alien trees. Biological Invasions 16: 721-734.
Contact details of supervisors
Prof D.M. Richardson: rich@sun.ac.za
Dr S. Kumschick: sabrinakumschick@sun.ac.za
Prof J.R. Wilson: jrwilson@sun.ac.za
