Fresh Openings 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 

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Description

• Contributes towards research projects,
•  Assists in coordinating of work activities, and supervises allocated resources if applicable,
• Adheres to financial administrative controls,
• Plans own work activities,
• Utilises and maintains own facilities, material and equipment,
• Conducts research support, diagnostics, and other services,
• Collects, captures and processes data with basic analysis,
• Provides verbal/written reports on work activities and results,
• Adheres to quality standards; Assists in the preparation for presentations,
• Assists in optimising of equipment and/or processes and/or systems,
• Provides input in the optimisation of new technologies,
• Pro-actively provide technical input within the context of the research projects
• Comply to all occupational health and safety regulations,
• Meet peer norm requirements for specific field of expertise, by recognising authorship or Contributions
• Assists in training junior staff and identifies and participates in own learning opportunities

Requirements

• National Diploma in Food Sciences/Technology or Animal Science/Health.
• At least three years’ experience in Meat Processing environment.
• Knowledge of red meat or poultry abattoir processes.
• Basic knowledge of meat processing techniques and packaging systems.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite.
• A valid South African driver’s license

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Description

• Attendance to clients and enquiries
• Update of information directories.
• Maintaining the office space and re-stocking office supply.
• Handling all incoming and outgoing correspondence.
• Perform routine administrative tasks.
• Administration regarding human resources documents.
• Booking of trips, issue vehicles and submit transport information.
• Report IT problems to relevant department.
• Record minutes of meetings.
• Venue bookings.
• Distribution of information to public relations officer.
• Organise and assist in campus events.
• Provide assistance for campus exhibitions and public awareness events.
• Handling of petty cash, advances and claims on pre-agreed deadlines.

Requirements

• National Senior Certificate (Grade 12).
• At least 2 years' experience as receptionist, front desk, an administrator, or in a related field.
• Customer services.
• Basic Computer Literacy.
• Ability to organise prioritise and work systematically.
• Ability to organise, prioritise and work systematically.
• Good communication skills (verbal & written).
• Valid driver's licence.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

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Description

Project Management & Coordination

The Researcher is responsible for management, coordination and delivery of research projects; these include aspects of:

• Planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, reporting.
• ­Equipment and Consumables.
• ­Human Resources.
• Finances. 
• Risk Management and Mitigation.  

Research, Development, and Innovation

The Researcher is responsible for conducting research, development and supporting innovation, these include:

• ­Invention.
• Translation.
• ­Commercialisation.
• ­Adoption and Use  

Research Collaboration

• The Researcher is responsible for supporting and establishing strategic research collaboration and identifying collaboration opportunities; these include:
• ­Strategic Research partnerships / networks.
• ­Intra-Inter Institutional Collaboration.
• National Collaboration.

Human Capacity Development

• The Researcher is responsible for supporting Human Capacity Development that includes:
• Supervision/ co-supervision of students.
• ­Mentoring staff and students.
• ­Training staff and students to develop skills in analytical chemistry
• ­Self-development.

Income generation

The Researcher is responsible for generating income by:

• ­Writing research proposals and securing funding.
• Offering analytical services to clients (internal and external) through analysis of samples using advanced analytical equipment.
• ­Developing and validating new methods for providing additional services.

Requirements

• PhD in Chemistry (Analytical Chemistry/ Natural Products Chemistry or related).
• At least 3 years’ experience in chemical profiling of plant extracts, identification of chemical compounds (qualitative and quantitative analysis using LC-MS, GC-MS, etc.).
• 3 years' experience of research on Masters level.
• Proven record of peer reviewed scientific publications (3), relevant to chemical analysis of plant samples and identification of compounds.  
• Proven record of writing proposals.
• Proven record for generating external income. 
• Proven record of participating as a speaker at conferences. 
• Proven record for initiation, planning and execution of research projects, personnel management and financial management of projects.
• Proven track record of mentoring and/or supervising/co-supervising students.
• Record of national and/or international partnerships and/or networks.
• Registration with a scientific and/or professional body will be an added advantage.
• Valid driver’s license.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION: 29 SEPTEMBER 2025 

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Description

• Assists in coordination of projects research implementation and administration (e.g. booking of flights and accommodation for the core research team, overtime & leave schedule).
• Assist with project budgets (including petty cash), plan, and assist with procurement activities and adheres to financial administrative controls.
• Assists with capturing PDAs and PDEs for the team.
• Assist with CAPEX management
• Compiling reports
• Schedules meetings with external research collaborators.
• Provide verbal and written feedback on work activities.
• Answer incoming telephone calls, determine purpose of callers, and forwards calls to appropriate personnel and departments.
• Direct and escort visitors/guests/members to appropriate destination or waiting rooms.
• Monitor visitors’ access.
• Sort and distribute correspondence, mail, messages and courier deliveries.
• Support the Mission, Vision and core values of the ARC.
• Other general administrative duties as required by the supervisor.

Requirements

• Administration/Secretarial Diploma.
• A minimum of 1 year clerical admin or receptionist and switchboard operator experience.
• Experience in working on ESS and SAGE will be an added advantage.
• Prior experience in project administration will be beneficial.
• Prior experience in petty cash management will be an advantage.
• Good Interpersonal skills.
• Telephone etiquette.
• Proficiency in MS Office,
• Excellent Communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to deliver excellent customer service, externally and internally as well with maintaining confidentiality.
• Experience in handling multiple tasks.
• Ability to make informed decisions quickly and execute those decisions with confidence.
• Proven experience in working with large teams.
• A Driver’s license Code 8 or 10 will be an added advantage.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 24 September 2025