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AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (ARC)
SENIOR RESEARCHER: WATER SCIENCE: TRANDISCIPLINARY WETLAND RESEARCH (TWO YEARS FIXED TERM CONTRACT): READVERTISEMENT
Cedara
Job Reference Number: ARC-NRE/116
Department: 07 - ISCW
Business Unit:
Industry: Research
Job Type: Contract
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related
The ARC seeks to appoint a highly skilled, experienced and dynamic persons to the following position at Natural Resources and Engineering (ARC-NRE), Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal.
Job Description
- Project management coordination: Initiates manage and participates in national and international research projects on wetland science.
- Plans and co-ordinates research: With multi- or transdisciplinary teams, conducts and participates in research projects, manages data collection and analysis, interpretations and recommendations for implementation.
- Scientific writing: Publishes peer reviewed articles with high impact and writes popular articles.
- Technology transfer: Disseminates research results, initiates, builds and maintain relationships with local, national and international stakeholders and strategic partners to secure funds.
- Scientific status requirements: Member of scientific society, perform research with impact.
- Human Resources: Manage and supervise research teams and technicians, co-supervise students, take responsibility for own performance career and development.
- Research – actively sources new research opportunities. Providing research direction in the division including cross-cutting team proposal writing, adoption of new technologies, establishing collaborative partnerships, leveraging scientific, networks, actively sourcing alternative income stream generation activities.
- Accountable for project budgets: Exercise quality control over project progress and outputs.
- Service delivery and facilities: Identifies the need for human resources, equipment and consumables and manages them accordingly.
Job Requirements
- PhD Degree in Environmental Science/ Environmental Management or related field.
- At least five (5) years post PhD experience.
- Minimum of 12 peer-reviewed publications.
- Meets peer norm requirements for specific fields of expertise, with a minimum (on average) of two peer reviewed publications per year.
- Proven track record of building national and international partnerships and networks.
- Proven track record of strategic and operational planning skills and expertise.
- Ability to work with communities and conduct fieldwork.
- Experience in project management, postgraduate student supervision or mentoring.
- Experience in securing external income and projects.
- Willingness to travel away from home for intermediate periods.
- Good communication skills (written and verbal).
- A valid driver's license (code: 8/EB).
- 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.
Enquiries: Dr AT Grundling, Tel: 012 310 2500
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 17 AUGUST 2026
A competitive remuneration package will be congruent with the scope, responsibilities and the stature of the position. The appointment will be subject to a positive security clearance (as well as competency and leadership assessments).
Preference will be given to designated groups in terms of the ARC Employment Equity Plan. The Agricultural Research Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles and processes of Employment Equity Act.
Applications accompanied by a covering letter, detailed CV with at least three recent (3) contactable referees, certified copies of certificates, supporting documents and a copy of driver’s license must be attached on the form.
A SAQA evaluation report must accompany foreign qualifications. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who do not receive any response four (4) weeks after the closing date must regard their applications as unsuccessful. Permanent appointments are subject to six (6) months’ probation period. The organisation reserves the right not to appoint.
CHIEF RESEARCH TECHNICIAN: WATER SCIENCE (TWO YEARS FIXED TERM CONTRACT): READVERTISEMENT
Cedara
Job Reference Number: ARC-NRE/119
Department: 07 - ISCW
Business Unit:
Industry: Research
Job Type: Contract
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related
The ARC seeks to appoint a highly skilled, experienced and dynamic person to the following position at Natural Resources and Engineering (ARC-NRE), Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal
Job Description
- Technical infrastructure coordination: Independently responsible for the installation, configuration, and ongoing maintenance of field-based monitoring equipment, including driving to remote sites, setting up systems, ensuring correct deployment, and addressing site-specific challenges.
- Maintains high standards of equipment functionality through regular calibration, diagnostics, and troubleshooting.
- Field and laboratory operations: Personally, conducts fieldwork across multiple sites, including the installation of technical infrastructure, manual data collection, and environmental sampling (e.g. soil, water).
- Engages in laboratory work as required, including sample processing and supporting standard procedures in soil science and related disciplines.
- Data management and processing: Develops and implements code to facilitate semi-real-time data retrieval from deployed field equipment.
- Manages the curation and integrity of environmental datasets and supports data processing workflows to ensure timely availability of reliable, structured data for researchers.
- Research support and collaboration: Serves as a technical point of contact for all project researchers, providing flexible and responsive support on tasks ranging from field deployments and sample collection to laboratory procedures and data-related coding or troubleshooting.
- Maintains clear communication to align with project timelines and technical requirements.
- Technical reporting and documentation: Maintains comprehensive logs of all equipment deployments, calibrations, site visits, and data handling procedures.
- Prepares internal documentation to support reproducibility and continuity across the project’s technical components.
Job Requirements
- MSc degree in Climatology, Meteorology, Environmental Science, Data science plus 8 years applicable experience or a related Hons degree or B Degree/B.Tech. plus 10 years applicable. National Diploma plus 15 years applicable experience.
- Applicable experience in research support, technical operations, laboratory or field procedures, infrastructure maintenance, calibration, data collection, or related technical research environments, depending on qualification level.
- Registration with relevant scientific registration body.
- Demonstrated experience in project management and coordination, including project planning, budgeting, technical risk management, and resource coordination.
- Proven ability to support and lead technical aspects of research projects, including data collection, processing, analysis, interpretation, and technical reporting.
- Experience in the maintenance, calibration, and management of scientific infrastructure and equipment.
- Knowledge and experience in technology transfer, innovation, prototype development, testing and validation, and/or commercialization processes will be advantageous.
- Evidence of scientific contribution through technical reports, innovation outputs, presentations, or authorship/co-authorship of scientific publications.
- Experience supervising, mentoring, or coordinating technical staff or small teams.
- Sound understanding of safety, health, environmental compliance, and regulatory standards applicable to research and technical environments.
- Strong technical problem-solving, analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills.
- Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to compile and present technical reports.
- Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary research environments and engage effectively with researchers and stakeholders.
- A valid driver's license (Code 8/EB) is required, as the position involves regular travel.
- Willingness and ability to travel and spend intermediate periods away from home for fieldwork and project-related activities.
Enquiries: Dr AT Grundling, Tel: 012 310 2500
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 17 AUGUST 2026.
A competitive remuneration package will be congruent with the scope, responsibilities and the stature of the position. The appointment will be subject to a positive security clearance (as well as competency and leadership assessments).
Preference will be given to designated groups in terms of the ARC Employment Equity Plan. The Agricultural Research Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles and processes of Employment Equity Act.
Applications accompanied by a covering letter, detailed CV with at least three recent (3) contactable referees, certified copies of certificates, supporting documents and a copy of driver’s license must be attached on the form.
A SAQA evaluation report must accompany foreign qualifications. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who do not receive any response four (4) weeks after the closing date must regard their applications as unsuccessful. Permanent appointments are subject to six (6) months’ probation period. The organisation reserves the right not to appoint.
SENIOR RESEARCHER: WATER SCIENCE: HYDROLOGIST: READVERTISEMENT
Cedara
Job Reference Number: ARC-NRE/118
Department: 07 - ISCW
Business Unit:
Industry: Research
Job Type: Contract
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related
The ARC seeks to appoint a highly skilled, experienced and dynamic persons to the following positions at Natural Resources and Engineering (ARC-NRE), Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal:
Job Description
- Project management coordination: Initiates manage and participates in national and international research projects on wetland science.
- Plans and co-ordinates research: With multi- or transdisciplinary teams, conducts and participates in research projects, manages data collection and analysis, interpretations and recommendations for implementation.
- Scientific writing: Publishes peer reviewed articles with high impact and writes popular articles.
- Technology transfer: Disseminates research results, initiates, builds and maintain relationships with local, national and international stakeholders and strategic partners to secure funds.
- Scientific status requirements: Member of scientific society, perform research with impact.
- Human Resources: Manage and supervise research teams and technicians, co-supervise students, take responsibility for own performance career and development.
- Research – actively sources new research opportunities. Providing research direction in the division including cross-cutting team proposal writing, adoption of new technologies, establishing collaborative partnerships, leveraging scientific, networks, actively sourcing alternative income stream generation activities.
- Accountable for project budgets: Exercise quality control over project progress and outputs.
- Service delivery and facilities: Identifies the need for human resources, equipment and consumables and manages them accordingly.
Job Requirements
- PhD Degree in Hydrology. Environmental Science/ Environmental Management, GIS or related field
- At least five (5) years post PhD experience.
- Minimum of 12 peer-reviewed publications.
- Meets peer norm requirements for specific fields of expertise, with a minimum (on average) of two peer reviewed publications per year.
- Proven track record of building national and international partnerships and networks.
- Proven track record of strategic and operational planning skills and expertise.
- Ability to work with communities and conduct fieldwork.
- Experience in project management, postgraduate student supervision or mentoring.
- Experience in securing external income and projects.
- Willingness to travel away from home for intermediate periods.
- Good communication skills (written and verbal).
- A valid driver's license (code: 8/EB).
- 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.
Enquiries: Dr AT Grundling, Tel: 012 310 2510
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 17 AUGUST 2026
A competitive remuneration package will be congruent with the scope, responsibilities and the stature of the position. The appointment will be subject to a positive security clearance (as well as competency and leadership assessments).
Preference will be given to designated groups in terms of the ARC Employment Equity Plan. The Agricultural Research Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles and processes of Employment Equity Act.
Applications accompanied by a covering letter, detailed CV with at least three recent (3) contactable referees, certified copies of certificates, supporting documents and a copy of driver’s license must be attached on the form.
A SAQA evaluation report must accompany foreign qualifications. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who do not receive any response four (4) weeks after the closing date must regard their applications as unsuccessful. Permanent appointments are subject to six (6) months’ probation period. The organisation reserves the right not to appoint.
