The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a research-led, strongly internationalised university, and the only one in Africa included in the Times Higher Education Supplement's Top 200 world universities. The School of Economics at UCT is the top-ranked economics department, both in South Africa, as well as Africa. Its PhD programme is in a strong growth phase and is particularly drawing students from the economically growing African continent and other emerging regions. The School hosts the DSTI-NRF/Swiss Bilateral Chair in Blockchain Technology, a distinguished appointment under the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI). This prestigious programme, supported by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Research Foundation, provides substantial funding and a strategic platform to drive excellence in research, innovation, and capacity development in emerging technologies.
The School is seeking to make an academic appointment at the level of Professor in the field of Financial Technology (FinTech) with a focus on blockchain technology to hold the DSTI-NRF/Swiss Bilateral Chair in Blockchain Technology in the School of Economics. As part of the Bilateral Chair, the successful candidate will be expected to work closely with the Blockchain Center at the University of Zurich to collaborate on research, supervision and teaching. In addition to the annual cost of employment, the DSTI-NRF / Swiss Bilateral Chair will also have access to funding for administrative support, travel, scholarships, bursaries, and other research-related expenses. This is a 5-year full-time contract appointment, with a possibility for renewal depending on funding availability.
The successful candidate will be required to prepare a proposal in the defined research area, in collaboration with the Head of the School, for approval by the NRF prior to finalisation of the appointment.
To view and apply for this position, please visit the UCT Jobs site:
View (for internal applicants) and view (for external applicants) to create a profile and to submit your application.
Closing date: 30 January 2026
Reference: ID 1202
UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf
When you apply for a position at UCT, we collect your personal information to assess your application, communicate with you, and coordinate interview logistics. Information such as race, gender, nationality, and disability status is used to support our Employment Equity obligations. We also verify your references, qualifications, conduct criminal and, for certain roles, credit checks. For more information about how the University of Cape Town uses personal information and your rights, please email popia@uct.ac.za
The University reserves the right to extend the closing date for applications if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.
