The Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems – Southern Africa (SHEFS-SA) consortium is a partnership between institutions in Malawi (MUBAS and LUANAR), South Africa (University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Institute of Natural Resources), Zimbabwe (University of Zimbabwe) and the United Kingdom (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Royal Veterinary College and University of London). The consortium is working to catalyse the transformation of Southern African food systems (focusing on Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe) and communities towards systems and communities that are healthy and resilient to climate risks. We will do this by: 

• undertaking SHEFS transdisciplinary research to shift the understanding of complex climate change (CC) challenges for health, as mediated by food systems, within particular contexts, translated into scalable solutions and policy recommendations with high impact;
• developing a transdisciplinary Community of Practice (CoP), led by the Global South, that contextualises and applies systems thinking within an expanded climate-sensitive SHEFS Framework to improve food security, food safety, nutrition, and health, including mental health; and (iii) developing a Global South-led cohort programme to train emerging scholars and practitioners in transdisciplinary research approaches at the intersection of Climate and Health.

The SHEFS-SA consortium will focus on providing actionable evidence for informed decision-making and identifying and developing practical solutions for CC mitigation and/or adaptation while evaluating in detail how their effects connect to health, including mental health, through food security, food safety and nutrition. The programme deepens our work in South Africa and will expand to include Zimbabwe and Malawi to ensure regional policy impact.

We are inviting applications for a postdoctoral research position to explore critical intersections of air quality, noise levels, and temperature control in healthcare facilities and their impacts on the well-being of patients and staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct interdisciplinary research to assess air quality, noise, and temperature in health facilities;
• Develop and implement measurement protocols and tools for environmental assessment;
• Analyse data to evaluate the short- and long-term impacts of environmental factors on health outcomes;
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including health professionals, engineers, and environmental scientists; and
• Publish findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present the same at conferences.

Qualifications

• A PhD in Environmental Science, Public Health, Environmental Engineering, or a related field;
• Proven experience in air quality assessment, noise pollution research, or thermal comfort studies;
• Strong analytical and statistical skills, namely familiarity with tools such as R, Python, or specialised environmental modelling software;
• Excellent communication skills and a track record of academic writing; and
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team.

Duration:

This position is tenable for a duration of one year.

How to apply:

Submit your CV, a cover letter outlining your research experience and motivation, and contact details for at least two referees through email to ckasonda@mubas.ac.mw with a copy to arhrm@mubas.ac.mw.