Research Scholar: Research Fellow in Hydrology – University of Botswana

Job Description

Job Summary

The University of Botswana (UB) invites applications from accomplished and suitably qualified professionals for the position of Research Scholar: Research Fellow in Hydrology at the Okavango Research Institute, tenable in Maun. The Research Scholar: Research Fellow specialising in Hydrology is responsible for advancing the Hydrology discipline, contributing to research and/or scholarship and teaching, as well as administrative activities of the Institution.

Key Responsibilities

• Hydrological Research Leadership: Design and implement research programs focused on rainfall-runoff relationships, flood pulse dynamics, river-floodplain and channel flow behaviours, surface water-groundwater interactions, and sediment-water/evapotranspiration dynamics.
• Monitoring & Data Management: Lead field-based monitoring of surface hydrological variables, maintain hydrometric networks and remote sensing datasets, and monitor groundwater levels and quality.
• Modelling and Forecasting: Develop hydrological and hydrodynamic models (e.g., SWAT, HEC-RAS, MIKE SHE) to simulate surface water behaviour.
• Interdisciplinary Integration: Work collaboratively with ecologists, climatologists, geographers, and social scientists.
• Capacity Building: Mentor postgraduate students and build technical capacity among local institutions.
• Policy and Stakeholder Engagement: Provide scientific advice to local and national authorities, NGOs, and transboundary institutions like OKACOM.
• Academic Output and Teaching: Publish peer-reviewed articles and contribute to academic teaching and student supervision.

Requirements

• A PhD in Hydrology, Hydrogeology or a related field with strong hydrological components.
• Proven experience in field hydrology, hydrological modelling, and use of geospatial tools (GIS, remote sensing).
• Experience working in wetland, floodplain, or tropical semi-arid systems.
• Demonstrated ability to secure research funding and manage interdisciplinary research projects.
• University-level teaching experience or equivalent.

Salary

The University offers competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit: ub.bw

REF Code: IRC 3523 | Vacancy Circular No: IRC 3523

Closing Date: 2026-09-24