Researcher (4-Years Contract)-Re-Advert (University Of Western Cape) at Agricultural Research Council

Description

• Design, lead, and implement transdisciplinary research in communal rangeland management, restoration, and governance.
• Facilitate participatory action research and strengthen community engagement platforms in support of sustainable rangeland use and social-ecological resilience.
• Apply ecological restoration principles to develop context-specific, community-driven rangeland rehabilitation plans.
• Develop and manage projects that integrate biophysical, socio-economic, and institutional dimensions of communal rangelands.
• Actively sources new national/ international research opportunities including writing research proposals.
• Build and maintain international and national relationships and networking opportunities
• Mentor and supervise postgraduate students (MSc/PhD) in rangeland science, community-based natural resource management, and related fields.
• Initiate and manage national and international research collaborations and partnerships.
• Manages people within projects and compiles detailed reports to various stakeholders.
• Compiles detailed reports and approves final reports.
• Manages data capture and shows advanced analysis, interpretation, and recommendations.
• Publishes semi-scientific and peer reviewed articles and publishes in journals with a high impact factor.
• Engage in science-policy dialogue and support local capacity development through workshops, demonstrations, and advisory services.
• Complies with all occupational health and safety regulations.

Requirements

• PhD or MSc with a minimum of 3 years’ post MSc relevant work experience in communal rangeland management or related fields.
• A publication record with a minimum of 2 scientific publications already published with a record of additional work in progress.
• Record of presenting research at national and/or international conferences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with proposal writing, field-based research, and stakeholder coordination.
• Proven record of generating research funding and collaborations.
• Proven experience in working with large teams and on multiple projects at the same time. 
• Proven track record of PhD and/or MSc student supervision in relevant fields of study.
• Experience in rangeland ecology with strong emphasis on plant animal interactions.
• Experience in long-term ecological monitoring.
• Competency in managing large datasets.
• Must have a Driver’s license Code 8 or 10.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 18 SEPTEMBER 2025