Medical Humanities DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS

WiSER has over the last twelve years established itself as the leading South African interdisciplinary research institute in the Humanities and Social Sciences, promoting local and international debate on the complexities of change in South Africa and Africa, understood from comparative and global perspectives.

A strong commitment to doctoral training and supervision is a critical part of WiSER’s mission.  Funding for the Medical Humanities project from the Mellon Foundation has enabled us to extend our long-standing doctoral fellowship programme.

We call for applications for 3 year fellowships to be awarded to outstanding students in the field of Medical Humanities.

Candidates should have a distinguished academic record in a discipline appropriate to the study programme imagined for a PhD in this emerging field and related to the WiSER research themes within this. We encourage applicants from sociology, history, philosophy, anthropology, literary studies, cultural studies, art, drama, politics, law, linguistics, research areas of health sciences such as medicine, nursing, therapeutic disciplines, anatomy and so on, as well as from applicants with a research background in education, social work, public health, human geography, economics and related fields.

This is a full-time programme and is not compatible with other employment. Doctoral fellows will work within the Institute, and be expected to participate fully in the intellectual life of the Institute and to work to develop the field at Wits University.

Fellows will receive funding for three years; up to R150 000 per annum. This will cover university fees, research expenses including travel and a living allowance. Fellows will be required to undertake up to 5 hours work a week for WiSER.

The Medical Humanities research focus at WiSER is arranged around five themes: Cultures of Ageing and Dying – and here a special interest in Silicosis is emerging with Sciences Po in France; Sex and Sexuality; Transgendering and Intersexuality; The Meanings of Evidence; Body Parts – with a special interest in organ transplant and skin; and the wide area of Neuro related work.

To apply, please submit the following:
1. A detailed and up to date CV, which shows clearly your undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and component courses of study.
2.  A recent publication or piece of written work, drawing on your past research.
3.  Names and contact details (including email addresses) of three academic referees.
4.  Certified copies of degrees and diplomas.
5.  A detailed covering letter explaining clearly and carefully your interest in WiSER, your proposed area of doctoral research and how it might fit into one of the WiSER research themes.

More information on the fellowship and application proceedure is available here.

More information about the Mellon supported Medical Humanities at Wits University based at WiSER and its research themes are available at: http://wiser.wits.ac.za/medical-humanities

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications should be sent by email to Ms. Najibha Deshmukh: Najibha.Deshmukh@wits.ac.za

Closing date for applications: 15 December 2014