Researcher- Range And Forage Sciences (Roodeplaat) needed at Agricultural Research Council

Description

• Conducts research and manages research projects.
• Initiates, manages and contributes towards national projects.
• Identifies the need for human resources in project(s) and manages the allocated resources.
• Is accountable for compiling and managing the project budgets.
• Actively sources new national research opportunities and write research proposals.
• Plans and co-ordinates research with single or multi-disciplinary team.
• Identifies the need for resources (equipment and material) in project(s) and manages them accordingly.
• Manages data capture, analysis, interpretations and recommendations.
• Compiles detailed reports and seeks approval for final reports.
• To ensure successful transfer of scientific technology i.e. compilation of reports, oral and poster presentations at local and International fora.
• Publishes peer reviewed articles and popular articles (in line with the competency profile).
• Builds and maintain relationships with national stakeholders and strategic partners to secure external funding.
• Develop capacity at an appropriate level within or outside projects,
• Strong practical experience and technical knowledge of appropriate research projects, financial and human resource management.
• Supervise or co-supervise PhD and MSc students.

Requirements

• PhD degree or an MSc plus a minimum of 3 years working experience in Biology/Botany/Plant Ecology/Plant Eco-Physiology with a strong focus on molecular sciences.
• Experience in field work (sample collection), specimen curation as well as controlled laboratory trials.
• Experience in working in a molecular lab with skills in aseptic lab techniques (ensuring the laboratory is a sterile environment), Spectrophotometry, DNA and RNA extraction, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and Advance PCR techniques (qPCR, RT-PCR), Next-generation sequencing preparation (DNA/RNA extractions, library prep, Illumina sequencing, data analysis).
• Experience in data analyses using appropriate statistical packages. Basic Bioinformatics and Computational biology (R, Ubuntu, Qiime, Mothur, Python) is essential.
• A publication record with a minimum of 3-5 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.
• Ability to make informed decisions quickly, and execute those decisions with confidence.
• 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.
• Must have a Driver’s license Code 8 or 10.