DIVISION OF RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE
OKAVANGO RESEARCH INSTITTUTE
VACANCY NO.: IRC 3523
The University of Botswana (UB), a premier state-owned tertiary institution dedicated to shaping the future through excellence, research, innovation and meaningful societal impact, 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. The position holder will generate and apply high-quality hydrological knowledge to inform integrated water resource management, ecological monitoring, and adaptive responses to environmental change within the Okavango Delta and the wider Cubango–Okavango River Basin.
Duties: a) Hydrological Research Leadership – The successful candidate will be expected to; i) design and implement research programs focused on some of the following areas: rainfall-runoff relationships, flood pulse dynamics, river-floodplain and channel flow behaviours, surface water-groundwater interactions, and sediment-water/evapotranspiration dynamics in the Okavango Delta and the wider Cubango-Okavango River Basin; ii) investigate groundwater recharge and discharge processes and their influence on river flows, floodplain inundation and wetland hydrology in the Okavango Delta and the Cubango-Okavango Basin; iii) assess the current and future influence of surface water–groundwater interactions on water quality and ecosystem functioning; iv) investigate the impacts of climate variability, climate change and upstream water resource developments on groundwater recharge, river baseflow and floodplain hydrology; v) integrate hydrological, hydrogeological, geochemical and isotopic techniques to characterise surface water–groundwater interactions; b) Monitoring & Data Management: The position-holder will need to i) lead field-based monitoring of surface hydrological variables including discharge, flood extent, water levels, and seasonal hydrological variation, ii) maintain and improve hydrometric networks, remote sensing datasets, and water quality and quantity monitoring systems, iii) monitor groundwater levels through observation boreholes and piezometers, iv) monitor groundwater quality, including salinity, nutrients, major ions and contaminants, v) monitor groundwater recharge and discharge from seasonal floodwaters; c) Modelling and Forecasting: The Research Fellow will be expected to; i) develop hydrological and hydrodynamic models (e.g., SWAT, HEC-RAS, MIKE SHE, or similar) to simulate surface water behaviour under different climatic and management scenarios; ii) support flood forecasting and water resource assessment; iii) work with, update and improve the existing bespoke flood-pulse-vegetation ecology models (www.monitoringdata.ub.bw/inundation d) Interdisciplinary Integration: The hydrologist will i) work collaboratively with ecologists, climatologists, geographers, and social scientists to integrate hydrological insights into broader socio-ecological frameworks and resilience strategies; e) Capacity Building: The successful candidate will i) mentor postgraduate students, train field assistants, and build technical capacity among local institutions and community-based organizations in hydrological monitoring and data interpretation; f) Policy and Stakeholder Engagement: The position-holder will i) provide scientific advice to local and national authorities, NGOs, and transboundary institutions (e.g., OKACOM) on water governance, wetland conservation, and climate adaptation; h) Academic Output: The research fellow will i) publish peer-reviewed articles, policy briefs, and technical reports, and contribute to academic teaching within the University of Botswana; 2) Teaching: The successful candidate will be expected to i) Offer guidance and support to students throughout their research process, ensuring academic success and scholarly growth; ii) Deliver high-quality ; instructions and facilitate meaningful learning experiences through course modules and short courses (Wildlife scientists- carnivore ecology); iii) Utilize holistic approach to assess students’ academic performance and provide constructive feedback to promote continuous improvement 3) Personal/ Professional Development: i) Register as a member of professional bodies/ committees in relevant area of expertise; ii) Assist with organising faculty/ university symposium and conferences of national importance; iii) Engage in continuous professional development to stay current in both academic and professional realms locally; iv) Adhere to performance targets as reflected in the performance contract and prepare for performance review and appraisals; v) Identify learning opportunities and follow up on own training and development in line with departmental needs; 4) Risk and Compliance: i) Participate in the identification of operational risk; ii) Participate in internal and external audits in line with University policies; iii) Comply with relevant regulations and legislation; 5) Customer Service: i) Respond to customer/stakeholder queries and inquires related to area of expertise; ii) Collaborate with relevant internal and external stakeholders as needed to effectively deliver duties as defined. Undertake any other duties as directed by the Drector: Okavango Research Institute or as required by the University in line with the role.
Requirements: The successful candidate should possess; i) a PhD in Hydrology, Hydrogeology or a related field with strong hydrological components; ii) proven experience in field hydrology, hydrological modelling, and use of geospatial tools (e.g., GIS, remote sensing); iii) experience working in wetland, floodplain, or tropical semi-arid systems; iv) a demonstrated ability to secure research funding and manage interdisciplinary research projects; vi) the ability to communicate effectively with both scientific and non-scientific audiences. The following will be considered as added advantages: a) university-level teaching experience or equivalent, and b) familiarity with the Okavango Delta, the Cubango Okavango River Basin or similar seasonal flood-pulsed fluvial ecosystems and c) knowledge of Southern African transboundary water issues and institutions, d) (ii) evidence of engagement in research (i.e., proof of submitted manuscripts and/ or published journal articles, book chapters, peer reviewed conference proceedings, etc. in reputable outlets).
Remuneration: the University offers competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.
How to Apply: Letters of application are to address the stated qualifications and provide any other information to assist the University to determine your suitability for the position. You should quote the vacancy number of the post applied for; provide current CVs (including telephone, telex and telefax number and e-mail), certified true copies of educational certificates, transcripts and names and addresses of three referees. Applicants should inform their referees to (i) quote the Vacancy Number(s) and Position(s) applied for and (ii) submit their references directly to the below address before the stipulated closing date. Send your application to: The Manager: Administrative Support Services, Okavango Research Institute, Private Bag 285 Maun, Botswana, Tel. 681-7228; Fax. 686-1835: e-mail, ori_recruitment@ub.ac.bw
Hand delivered applications should be submitted to Manager: Administrative Support Services at the Administration Building, Okavango Research Institute, Sexaxa, along Shorobe Road, Maun, Botswana. Google maps; -19.93871, 23.48969
The Institute is based in Maun in the Northwest District of Botswana, and specializes in natural resources management, sustainable natural resource use and conservation in the world-famous Okavango Delta and the Kgalagadi (Kalahari) region. Additional information on ORI including its Strategic Plan can be found on www.ori.ub.bw.
NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: 24 September 2026