Environmental Sciences & Management NWU

09/08/2026

🌍 NWU co-hosts inaugural IAIA Academic Symposium

The North-West University (NWU), in partnership with the University of Liverpool, is co-hosting the first academic symposium of its kind, titled “The Future of Impact Assessment?”

Taking place from 8 to 10 September 2026, the symposium brings together more than 200 impact assessment academics and practitioners from around the world to exchange knowledge, challenge established thinking, and explore the future of impact assessment.

UESM is proud to be part of this important international platform for collaboration, critical reflection, and innovation.


NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU FNAS Student Chapter IAIA - International Association for Impact Assessment IAIAsa NWU - North-West University NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG NWU Water Research Group NWU - North-West University African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS), NWU

09/07/2026

🌿 Join us for the upcoming UESM Talks!

The Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management invites you to two insightful presentations:

🔬 Talk 1: Ms. Aleksandra Vasileva
Exploring pollen–vegetation relationships: Preliminary results from South African semi-arid grasslands

🌍 Talk 2: Dr. Bianca Cavazzin
From Molecules to Landscapes: Using Organic Geochemistry to Understand Environmental Change

📅 Friday, 11 September 2026
🕚 11:00–13:00
📍 Building E4, Room G02
💻 Online via Microsoft Teams

Join online:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/373264341236309?p=ijGiKktswSKH6zqzDG

Meeting ID: 373 264 341 236 309
Passcode: BQ9mL2MA

Light refreshments will be served to those attending in person.



NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU - North-West University NWU Water Research Group NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG African Amphibian Conservation Research Group NWU Microbiology

09/03/2026

📢 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

The Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM) at the North-West University invites suitably qualified candidates to apply for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship within the Water Research Group.

The successful candidate will conduct research focusing on ectotherm parasitology and apicomplexan blood parasites under the supervision of Prof. Cook.

📍 Potchefstroom
📅 Application deadline: 11 October 2026
🚀 Appointment date: As soon as possible
📧 Inquiries and applications: [email protected]
Subject line: Postdoc blood parasites

Please consult the attached advertisement for the full requirements, responsibilities and application documentation.


NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU - North-West UniversityNWU: Green Campus Initiatives NWU Green Team NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Water Research Group NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG

09/02/2026

🌍 Advancing clean air research and leadership

The North West Branch of the National Association for Clean Air (NACA) held its branch meeting, featuring a presentation by Prof. Volker Wulfmeyer.

Prof. Wulfmeyer has devoted his career to understanding the fundamental processes connecting the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. His research focuses particularly on the exchange of water, energy, and momentum between soil, vegetation, and the atmospheric boundary layer; and how these processes influence clouds, precipitation, and extreme weather.

The UESM is also proud to congratulate Dr. Niké Wesch on her appointment as the new Chair of the North West NACA Branch. We wish her every success in this important leadership role! 👏


NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU - North-West University NWU Microbiology

09/02/2026

🌍 The UESM is proud to share this insightful discussion featuring Prof. Christo Coetzee from the African Centre for Disaster Studies. Listen as he explores the risks associated with melting glaciers and the lessons Nepal offers for disaster preparedness in a warming world.

🌍 ACDS in the Media

Prof. Christo Coetzee from the African Centre for Disaster Studies recently joined John Maytham on CapeTalk to discuss the deadly flooding in Nepal and Tibet.

The conversation explored the causes of these events, the role of climate change, and how inadequate monitoring and early-warning systems can increase the risks faced by vulnerable communities. Prof. Coetzee also highlighted the need for more proactive measures to help prevent and reduce the impact of similar disasters in the future.

🎧 Listen to the full interview here:
https://omny.fm/shows/the-john-maytham-show/melting-glaciers-rising-risks-what-nepal-can-teach-us-about-a-warming-world


NWU - North-West University Environmental Sciences & Management NWU NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG NWU Water Research Group NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU FNAS Student Chapter

09/01/2026

🌱🌸 Hello, Spring! 🌸🌱

A new season has officially arrived!

This Spring Day, 1 September, we celebrate new beginnings, fresh ideas, and the incredible environment around us; from the smallest signs of new life to the bigger systems that keep our planet thriving. 🌍

From all of us at the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM), we wish you a Happy Spring Day and a blooming great season ahead! 🌼🐝

08/27/2026

🌱 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

The NWU's Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position in Plant Photosynthesis and Crop Ecophysiology, under the supervision of Prof. Jacques Berner.

The three-year fellowship is based in Potchefstroom and will focus on research into the photosynthetic responses of crops to drought, heat, and related environmental stresses.

📅 Application deadline: 2 October 2026
📆 Appointment: ASAP
💰 Stipend: R320 000 per annum (tax-free)
🔬 Research funding: R40 000 per annum

See the attached advertisement for the full requirements, responsibilities, and application information.

📧 Applications and inquiries: [email protected]
Subject line: PDRF application

Please share this opportunity with suitable candidates and within your research networks.



NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU - North-West University NWU Green Team NWU Microbiology NWU: Green Campus Initiatives

08/19/2026

🥂🎓 Conference Gala Dinner | Celebrating Our Students! ✨

After two inspiring days of research, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, the 3rd UESM Postgraduate Conference 2026 came to a memorable close with our Conference Gala Dinner.

The evening was an opportunity to celebrate the success of the conference and, most importantly, the hard work, dedication, and achievements of our postgraduate students. 🌿🎓

🏆 Congratulations to our 2026 prize winners!

MSc Poster Presentation
🥇 Kayla Kritzinger
🥈 Tarren Harrison
🥉 Bonolo Mofokeng
🏅 Liam Webster
🏅 Abraham Ryke

MSc Short Oral Presentation
🥇 Karin Kooij
🥈 Jonathan Mark Birch
🥉 Yolanda Makgale
🏅 Zander Arthur Coetzee
🏅 Carla Fourie

PhD Poster Presentation
🥇 Jody Howard
🥈 Marcel Kruger
🥉 Aimée Dumont

PhD Short Oral Presentation
🥇 Chandra le Roux
🥈 Lungile Mlangeni
🥉 Karabo Makgaretse

PhD Full Oral Presentation
🥇 Tiaan Botha
🥈 Nolwandle Nolen Khumalo
🥉 Frans Labuschagne

✨ Special Recognition

The evening also included two special recognition prizes for students who stood out through their enthusiasm, engaging presence, and memorable personalities throughout the conference. Selected by the organising committee and Separations, congratulations to:

🌟 Duan van der Vyver
🌟 Njabulo Luyanda Mahlobo

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and suppliers for supporting the conference and helping us recognise and reward our students. Your contribution to the success of the event is greatly appreciated.

And, most importantly, thank you to every postgraduate student who participated. Whether you presented a full talk, short talk or poster, you helped make this conference a true celebration of the incredible research taking place across UESM and all three NWU campuses.

To all our winners and participants- congratulations! 👏🎉

✨ Here’s to our students, their achievements, and the exciting research shaping our future! 🥂🌍🎓



NWU - North-West University NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU Water Research Group African Amphibian Conservation Research Group NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS), NWU NWU Microbiology NWU Green Team Marelize Marsay Willie Cloete Marliese Truter

08/19/2026

🌱 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY | NWU

Are you passionate about soil ecology, plant ecology and sustainable agricultural systems? 🌾🔬

The Agrobiology Lab at the North-West University (NWU) invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellowship focusing on Soil Ecology in Agricultural Landscapes.

📍 Based in: Potchefstroom
📅 Contract: 3 years, subject to annual performance reviews
💰 Stipend: R320 000 per annum (tax-free)
🚚 Relocation: R20 000 once-off relocation fee
🗓️ Application deadline: 28 August 2026
🎓 Appointment: September 2026

We are looking for a researcher with a strong background in soil and plant ecology, advanced R skills, and a passion for producing impactful research that contributes to soil health and agroecosystem sustainability.

See the attached advertisement for the full requirements and application details.

📩 Applications and inquiries:
Prof. Gerhard Du Preez
[email protected]

Please share this opportunity with researchers in your network who may be interested! 🌍🌱



NWU - North-West University NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU Green Team

08/18/2026

🎓🌿 UESM Postgraduate Conference 2026 | Day 2

On 5 August 2026, we wrapped up the academic programme of the 3rd UESM Postgraduate Conference with another inspiring day of research, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

Day 2 began with an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Ché Weldon, followed by a presentation from the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation. Later in the morning, we welcomed Inqaba Biotec for a sponsor talk, bringing valuable industry perspectives and opportunities to our postgraduate researchers.

Our students once again showcased the incredible diversity of research taking place within UESM, with presentations spanning:

🌍 Earth System Sciences, Soils & Resources
🌦️ Climate Change, Air Quality & Impacts
🌱 Environmental Management
🐝 Ecological Interactions & Ecosystem Resilience
💧 Aquatic Ecosystem Health
🦋 Biodiversity & Conservation Ecology
🐛 Integrated Pest Management
🌪️ Disaster Risk Science

The presentations explored a fascinating range of topics – from climate variability, agricultural resilience and biodiversity conservation to groundwater systems, nanomaterial toxicity, air quality, environmental management, geological processes and disaster risk. The academic programme concluded with a final poster session, providing another opportunity for students to share their work and engage with fellow researchers.

✨ Across both days, the conference highlighted the breadth, depth, and interdisciplinary nature of postgraduate research within UESM, while creating valuable opportunities for students, academics, and industry partners to connect, exchange ideas, and build new relationships.

And with that, the academic programme of the 3rd UESM Postgraduate Conference came to a close! 🎉🎓

But the celebrations weren’t over just yet… 🥂 Stay tuned for highlights from our Conference Gala Dinner!

A special thank you to our sponsors for helping make this conference possible and even more memorable: Separations, Lasec, Inqaba Biotec, Marang a Kitso, and SymbioLab.



African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS), NWU African Amphibian Conservation Research Group NWU Water Research Group NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERGNWU Climatology Research Group_CRG NWU - North-West University NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Microbiology NWU Green Team NWU: Green Campus Initiatives NWU - North-West University