Scientist Production Grade a Ref No: 3/3/1/30/2025 (X2 Posts) at Department of Agriculture(DOA)

CENTRE REQUIREMENTS :

• Gauteng (Pretoria): Head Office
• Bachelor of Science Honours or M Tech with Botany, Agronomy, Horticulture, Genetics and/ or Plant Biotechnology as a major subject.
• Compulsory registration with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNSP) as a Professional Natural Scientist.
• Job Related Work Experience: Three (3) years’ post qualification in the field of botany, plant taxonomy, plant breeding or administration of legislation related to Agriculture.

Job Related Knowledge:

Plant Breeders’ Rights Act.

• Plant Improvement Act. UPOV Convention.
• Plant morphology and physiology. Statistic.
• Crop specific knowledge.
• Planning and organising.
• Training.
• Finances.

Job Related Skills:

• Planning skills.
• Problem skills.
• Research.
• Computer skills (MS Office).
• Communication skills (oral and written).
• Plant variety evaluations.
• Organising skills.
• Required to work under harsh environmental conditions.
• Travelling nationally and internationally. Valid driver’s license (code EB).

DUTIES :

Develop and implement relevant systems, and procedures.

• Verifying applications and technical questionnaires submitted by applicants in terms of the Plant Breeders’
• Rights Act and the Plant Improvement Act.
• Establishment of trials in collaboration with the directorate’s farm Manager, applicant, or their appointed agent as applicable.
• Identify location of all candidates and comparative variety / liaise with the farm manager on field identification.
• Engage with clients on matters related to their applications and do site visits. Perform technical scientific analysis.
• Collect data on candidate and standard varieties according to prescribed guidelines.
• Observation and evaluation of candidates’ varieties in accordance with the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) or National Test guidelines as applicable. Variety characterization and documentation.
• Data analysis on candidates and standard varieties. Compile variety description and DUS reports for candidates’ varieties. Confirm that candidate’s varieties comply to prescribed DUS requirements in terms of the relevant legislation.
• Data processing and entering of data into database. Provide technical support and advice. Collect and technically/scientific data, information and advice to registrars and Plant Improvement Organisations. Provide technical support and advice to applicants in relations to Technical Questionnaires submitted in terms of the Plant Breeders’ Rights and the Plant Improvement Act.
• Research and Development. Draft and / or provide input to UPOV and / or national test guidelines.
• Review and study scientific publications, including internet searches, relevant to received PBR/VL applications.
• Participate at national, regional and international fora. Liaise with relevant scientific bodies on technical/science related matters and exchange of knowledge thereof.
• Ensure management of reference collections.
• Ensure proper management of filling system and crop and seed registers.
• Conduct or participate in research pertaining to variety characters or ring tests as applicable.