Data Science Research, Data Science For Social Impact

Zindi; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job description

About DSFSI

DSFSI is a transdisciplinary research lab working at the intersection of:

• Data Science for Society – building tools, systems, and insights to support evidence-based decision-making in the public interest.
• Local Language Natural Language Processing (NLP) – advancing African language technologies through inclusive, culturally grounded approaches.
  
  

Our lab is home to researchers, students, and collaborators who are building the future of responsible, African-centered data science. From public health and education to social justice and language inclusion, we are focused on work that matters.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds—not just computer science or engineering. If you’re committed to social impact and curious about how data science can help, this is the place for you.

We aim to be an open and inclusive lab. We especially encourage applications from underrepresented groups and those who might not traditionally see themselves in tech or academic spaces.

Support & Funding

We aim to provide support to as many students as possible. This includes:

• Fellowships
• Research and teaching assistantships
• Project-based funding
  
  

Support will depend on your needs, program level, and whether you are studying full-time or part-time.

Application Timeline & Process

• Apply between 15 May and 15 July 2025
• Decisions by end of August
• Start date: January/February 2026
  
  

Important

• For MSc and PhD: You must first apply to DSFSI, go through an internal selection process, and then (if successful) apply to the University of Pretoria with our support.
• For Honours and MIT students: You can apply to those programs directly and then also apply to join DSFSI as your research group.
  
  

Ready to Apply?

Visit our application page for full details and the application form:

https://dsfsi.github.io/prospective/apply