Post-Doctoral Fellowships: One Food Program (Two-year contract) at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the Fellowships:

The CSIR, in collaboration with the United Kingdom (UK) Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), and the One Food Community have temporary vacancies for eight Post-Doctoral Fellowships. The incumbents in each of the eight focus areas will be involved in cross-disciplinary research and collaboration to develop the One Food Risk Analysis tool. The aim of the project is to promote cross-food system approaches to hazard identification and mitigation in support of climate-resilient, safer, healthier, and more sustainable food supplies. These positions will be hosted by the various Research Councils/Institutes in South Africa.

The Hosting Institutions are:

• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
• Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
• Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
• South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)

Research Focus Areas:

• Aquatic Animal Health (CSIR): Develop and implement methods to integrate aquatic animal health into the One Food Risk Tool. May include research on aquatic animal hazards, combining plant and animal health measures and economic models to link food yield to the Risk Tool requirements.
• Terrestrial Animal Health (ARC): Develop and implement methods to integrate Terrestrial animal health into the One Food Risk Tool. May include research on Terrestrial animal hazards, combining plant and animal health measures and economic models to link food yield to the Risk Tool requirements.
• Food Safety (CSIR): Look at food safety risks, chemical and microbiological, to integrate into the One Food Risk Tool. This may include consideration of the impact on the quality of food and risks to the consumer.
• Nutrition (CSIR / ARC): Conduct research to embed food nutrition into the One Food Risk Tool. Consider methods and metrics to represent elements of nutrition and hazards to nutrition.
• Plant Health (ARC): Develop and implement methods to integrate plant health into the One Food Risk Tool. May include research on plant hazards, combining plant and animal health measures and economic models to link food yield to the Risk Tool requirements.
• Biodiversity (SANBI): Test and implement methods to integrate biodiversity into the One Food Risk Tool. May also consider pollution and other relevant environmental concerns.
• Climate (ARC / HSRC): Test and implement methods to integrate climate resilience into the One Food Risk Tool. May also consider pollution and other relevant environmental concerns.
• Socio-cultural (HSRC): Conduct research to embed social science into the One Food Risk Tool. May consider socio-cultural hazards, methods, and metrics to represent elements of access to food, equity, and other aspects of physical and mental wellbeing.

Key responsibilities:

• Design, plan and execute projects, with a focus on commercial uptake and implementation;
• Contribute to the management of projects to gain experience as a Researcher;
• Disseminate research through reports, technology demonstrators and scientific publications;
• Contribute to the writing of peer reviewed journal publications, of which the successful candidate would be expected to be the lead author for at least one publication per annum;
• Present research findings to both internal, external, as well as at national and international stakeholders;
• Supervise and/or co-supervise postgraduate students;
• Keep up to date with trends and new developments, approaches and techniques in the field and initiate their introduction and adoption;
• Collaborate and communicate with the other fellows to ensure the research in the focus areas aligns with the needs of the One Food Risk Tool;
• Lead engagement in the community of practice for the respective Research Focus Area; providing content, managing conversations and facilitating community engagement.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Doctoral degree in one of the Research Focus Areas (listed above) or related fields;
• Experience working on elements of food systems in South Africa or elsewhere will be advantageous;
• Experience in techno-economic evaluation and working in a cross-disciplinary environment will be advantageous;
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with others in a research group;
• Must have clear demonstration of problem-solving and independent research abilities is essential;
• Must have a track record of publications;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Closing date: 23 August 2023