NRF-Sasol Announcement: Awards for Research Chairs and Postdoctoral Innovation Fellowships

Johannesburg, South Africa – Sasol Ltd and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are pleased to announce the establishment and awarding of four jointly-funded South African Research Chairs.

A competitive call was launched during 2022 for two Chairs that considered the critical areas of research investment necessary in Energy and Power Systems Modelling, and Green Hydrogen. Informed by the excellence of the proposals submitted, it was agreed that two additional Chairs will be funded. This total joint investment of more than R40 million over the next five years will significantly increase the capacity and capability of South Africa in just energy transition.

In addition, and considering the specialist areas of skills necessary, six Fellowships have been awarded as part of the bespoke joint Postdoctoral Innovation Fellowships Programme. These awards will stimulate and accelerate joint academia-industry research in clean and sustainable energy and contribute to South Africa’s transition towards sustainable clean energy.

Awards are as follow:

Two Sasol-NRF Research Chairs in Energy and Power Systems Modelling: Professor Ramesh Bansal, University of Pretoria; and Professor Sunetra Chowdhury, University of Cape Town.

Two Sasol-NRF Research Chairs in Green Hydrogen: Professor Tien-Chien Jen, University of Johannesburg; and Professor Prathieka Naidoo, Stellenbosch University.

Six Postdoctoral Innovation Programme Fellowships: The foci of research includes the specifically identified areas of Green Hydrogen, Energy Storage, Waste Utilisation Towards a Circular Economy, In-Situ Characterisation of Catalysts, and Fischer-Tropsch Catalysis for Power-to-Liquids Applications. The successful applicants are from the University of Johannesburg, University of Pretoria, University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban University of Technology, and North-West University. The two-year Fellowship will include dedicated research time at Sasol’s research facilities in Sasolburg.

The growing partnership between Sasol and the NRF not only plays a key role in the acceleration of the co-creation of knowledge for impact and skills development, but especially addresses the critical energy challenges, showcasing the value of effective partnership within the innovation ecosystem.

These programmes further advance the strong partnership among Sasol, the Sasol Foundation and the NRF that has supported 400 students and researchers from academic and research performing institutions in South Africa. To date, Sasol Ltd and the NRF have collectively committed more than R150 million to industry-linked research and innovation projects over the next five years to support clean energy programmes. Working with key stakeholders, both organisations intend to expand the scope and investment of this initiative.