Senior Lecturer: Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The incumbent will join a world class team of researchers working in the field of plant health and productivity in the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), and associated with the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. S/he will be a Plant and Fungal Virologist who will undertake goal directed research and supervise postgraduate students in these fields. The incumbent will also contribute to undergraduate teaching in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. S/he will be a member of the FABI Management Committee, participate in the activities of other plant molecular biotechnology related research teams in FABI and contribute to the effective operation of the Institute. S/he will be required to engage with a broad range of stakeholders linked to the Institute, including international collaborators, local government and industry (including extension), as well as funding organisations that provide external support for FABI’s research.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• An applicable PhD-degree, and teaching and research experience with a publication record in leading international journals that demonstrates the potential to perform research to the highest international standards;
• Specialisation in Plant Virology, Mycoviruses or related fields with applications relevant to agriculture and forestry;
• A current NRF-rating or evidence of the ability to gain a reasonable rating in the near future.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to teach classes effectively;
• The ability to inspire students and a commitment to work in a strong multidisciplinary research team addressing grand challenges in agriculture and forestry.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• A research focus on plant protection or plant productivity in the context of plant and fungal virology;
• Experience in working with emerging technologies in the fields of plant molecular genetics and virology;
• Experience in engaging a broad range of academic and non-academic stakeholders, and fundraising.

CLOSING DATE: 24 February 2026