Economist; Post Level 8

Department Description

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Bureau for Economic Research (BER)
Economist (Post Level
8)
(Two positions)
(Stellenbosch Campus)
/023/0226

• Writing research reports on policy and macroeconomic issues.
• Conducting research projects on behalf of clients.
• Data analysis and critical interpretation of economic trends.
• Identifying relevant questions about South Africa's economic policy.
• Visiting clients and presenting on the South African and global macroeconomy.
• Contributing to maintaining and elevating the BER's research profile.
• Skryf navorsingsverslae oor beleids- en makro-ekonomiese kwessies.
• Uitvoering van navorsingsprojekte in opdrag van kliënte.
• Data analise en kritiese interpretasie van ekonomiese tendense.
• Identifisering van tersaaklike vrae oor Suid-Afrika se ekonomiese beleid.
• Besoek kliënte en doen aanbiedings oor die Suid-Afrikaanse en wêreld makro-ekonomie.
• Hulpverlening daarmee om die gehalte van die BEO se navorsing in stand te hou en te verbeter.

• At least an honours degree in Economics with five years' working experience, OR a master's degree in Economics with three years' working experience. The working experience must be in a macroeconomic research context.
• Proven ability to manage time and work under pressure.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English.
• The ability to analyse, interpret and effectively communicate data and economic information.
• Proven ability to start and complete research projects independently.
• Experience with working as part of a research team.
• Experience with building and maintaining Excel-based or similar models, including working with high-frequency or survey data.
• Minstens 'n honneursgraad in Ekonomie met vyf jaar se werkservaring, OF 'n meestersgraad in Ekonomie met drie jaar se werkservaring. Die werkservaring moet in
  ¿ n makroekonomiese navorsingskonteks wees.
• Bewese vermoë om tyd te kan bestuur en onder druk te kan werk.
• Uitstekende mondelinge en skriftelike kommunikasievaardighede in Engels.
• Die vermoë om data en ekonomiese inligting te analiseer, interpreteer en effektief te kommunikeer.
• Bewese vermoë om navorsingprojekte selfstandig te begin en te voltooi.
• Ervaring as deel van 'n navorsingspan.
• Ervaring met die ontwikkeling en instandhouding van Excel- of soortgelyke modelle, insluitend werk met hoëfrekwensie- of opname-data.

• Practical experience (i.e. not academic) with econometric software, particularly EViews (or similar) is highly recommended.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, investigate, and address applied economic research questions, supported by practical research outputs (e.g. internal notes, reports, or published work).
• Familiarity with the South African manufacturing sector.

Candidates who are invited for an interview will be required to submit samples of their research work and may be asked to complete a skills test.

Please note that this position is based in Stellenbosch and the incumbent will be expected to be in the office most days of the week.

• The University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the institutional EE Plan.
• Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and e‑mail addresses of at least three references), must reach the University before or on the closing date in the advertisement.
• Apply online by clicking "Apply now" at the top right of the page for the specific vacancy.
• The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.
• The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires people in occupations that entail potential exposure to certain hazards (such as noise, hazardous chemical substances and hazardous biological agents) to undergo medical screening to determine whether they be fit to work in those occupations.
• If you have received no feedback from the University after four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application was unsuccessful.
• Enquiries about this post:
  Prof Johann Kirsten on .
• Enquiries about remuneration/benefits and technical assistance with the electronic application process:
  Human Resources Client Services Centre on  (Stellenbosch) or  (Tygerberg).

Currency: ZAR
Commencement Date: 01-Apr-2026
Closing Date: 27-Feb-2026
Amount of Travel:
Work At Home