Senior Researcher – Rangeland And Forage Sciences at Agricultural Research Council

• The ARC-Animal Production (ARC-AP) seeks to appoint a highly skilled, experienced, and dynamic persons to the following positions at Pretoria, Roodeplaat

Job Description

• Manages day to day activities at the National Forage Genebank including planning and coordinating seed collection activities and curation of the plant genetic resources maintained at the Genebank.
• Must have experience in data and specimen curation as well and database development and management.
• Builds collaboration between the National Forage Genebank and Cedara forage breeding campuses.
• Actively sources new national/international research opportunities.
• Identifies and pursue strategic research collaboration opportunities.
• Compiles detailed internal reports as well as reports to external funders.
• Conducts independent and specialised research as an internationally renowned senior research scientist.
• Publishes in peer reviewed / refereed journals with high impact factor, including books, chapters in books, and training courses. Meets peer norm requirements for specific field of expertise, with a minimum (on average) of 2 peer reviewed publications per year.
• Builds and maintains international and national relationships and networking opportunities.
• Supervise or co-supervise PhD and MSc students with an emphasis on critical and scarce skills.
• Comply with all occupational health and safety regulations.

Job Requirements

• A PhD or DSc in Botany, plant physiology, plant ecology, or related fields.
• At least 5 years post PhD experience or 5 years proven relevant experience on the level.
• Proven record of accomplishment that expertise and scientific standing is acknowledged at national and moving towards international level.
• Proven record of project management.
• Minimum 12 peer reviewed publications at date of appointment with a minimum (on average) of two peer-reviewed publications per year.
• Proven record of accomplishment for generating external income for research and projects, a minimum of national projects and initiated participation in international projects.
• Proven record of accomplishment of being an invited national speaker and actively participating as speaker internationally or being involved/invited as participant in national/international events of high importance.
• Proven record of accomplishment that expertise and scientific standing is acknowledged at national level and moving towards international level. Magnitude of measurable outcomes should be on national level, but increased international level should be visible with a clear record of accomplishment of high quality and high impact.
• Proven track record of mentoring and supervising/co-supervising other researcher and students' development. Supervise or co-supervise at least 2xPhD and 2xMSc every 5 years with an emphasis on critical and scarce skills. Minimum 5 students graduated.
• Proven track record of building national and international partnerships and networks.
• Proven track record of strategic and operational planning skills and expertise.
• Proven track record of minimum 5 students’ supervision in relevant fields of study.
• Registration with a scientific and professional body will be an added advantage
• NRF rating of at least C1 or higher will be an added advantage.
• A valid South African driver’s license.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:  16 MARCH 2026