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AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (ARC)
JUNIOR RESEARCHER: SOIL SCIENCE (12 MONTHS FIXED TERM CONTRACT)
Pretoria
Job Reference Number: ARC-NRE114
Department: 07 - ISCW
Business Unit:
Industry: Research
Job Type: Contract
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related
The ARC seeks to appoint a dynamic persons to the following positions at Natural Resources and Engineering (ARC-NRE), Arcadia, Pretoria:
Job Description
• Conducting soil surveys, soil profile description and collect soil across South Africa,
• Collect, process and manage soil samples for laboratory analysis,
• Assist with soil classification, mapping and interpretation,
• Capture, manage and quality-check field and laboratory data,
• To ensure successful completion of research projects in compliance with set standards,
• Contribute to the implementation and reporting of soil science research projects.
• Assist in updating standard operating procedures and technical protocols.
• Ensure compliance with Occupational Health and Safety regulations and procedures.
• Participate in stakeholder engagement and technology transfer activities where required.
• Maintain field equipment and ensure efficient use of project resources.
• Contribute to scientific publications and technical reports where appropriate.
Job Requirements
• MSc in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science or related fields,
• Experience in soil surveying, soil classification, or related fieldwork will be an advantage,
• Strong interest in soil survey, land evaluation, and pedology.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to travel extensively and spend extended periods conducting fieldwork throughout South Africa.
• Ability to work with farmers, communities, and other stakeholders.
• Valid driver's license (Code B/EB).
Enquiries: Dr C Swanepoel, SwanepoelC@arc.agric.za
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 16 JULY 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.
RESEARCH TECNICIAN: SOIL SCIENCE (12 MONTHS FIXED TERM CONTRACT)
Pretoria
Job Reference Number: ARC-NRE115
Department: 07 - ISCW
Business Unit:
Industry: Research
Job Type: Contract
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related
The ARC seeks to appoint a dynamic persons to the following positions at Natural Resources and Engineering (ARC-NRE), Arcadia, Pretoria:
Job Description
• Assist with soil surveys and land resource assessments across South Africa.
• Collect soil samples and describe soil profiles according to established protocols.
• Record, capture, manage, and quality-check field and laboratory data.
• Assist with soil classification, site characterization, and related field investigations.
• Prepare, label, store, and transport soil samples for laboratory analysis.
• Operate and maintain field equipment, vehicles, and sampling tools.
• Assist researchers with the implementation of soil science research projects.
• Compile field reports and provide technical support for project activities.
• Liaise with farmers, communities, and other stakeholders during fieldwork.
• Ensure compliance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations and procedures.
• Assist with technology transfer and stakeholder engagement activities where required.
Job Requirements
• National Diploma in Soil Science, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Knowledge of soil morphology, soil classification, and soil sampling techniques will be an advantage.
• Experience with GPS devices, and digital data capture tools will be an advantage.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Good organisational, communication, and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work with farmers, communities, and other stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel extensively and spend extended periods away from home conducting fieldwork
throughout South Africa.
• Physical fitness and willingness to work under demanding field conditions.
• Valid driver's license (Code B/EB) with a good driving record.
Enquiries: Dr C Swanepoel, SwanepoelC@arc.agric.za
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 16 JULY 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.
ASSOCIATE RESEARCHER: IN VITRO PROPAGATION
Roodeplaat
Job Reference Number: ARC-VIMP 09125
Department: 09 - RVOPI
Business Unit:
Industry: Research
Job Type: Permanent
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related
The ARC seeks to appoint a highly skilled, experienced and dynamic person to the following position(s) at Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants (ARC-VIMP), Roodeplaat, Pretoria.
Job Description
Project Management & Coordination
The Associate Researcher will be responsible for conducting research projects across the Institute; and these include the following aspects of the projects:
- Research planning and initiation
- Equipment and Research Materials
- Project Human Resources
- Project Finances
- Risk Management and Mitigation
- Monitoring, Evaluation, reporting and project close out
Research, Development, and Innovation
The Associate Researcher will be responsible for conducting research, development and supporting innovation. These include supporting the following research aspects:
- Invention
- Translation
- Commercialisation
- Adoption and Use
Research Collaboration
The Associate Researcher will be responsible for supporting strategic research collaboration and collaboration opportunities; these include
- Strategic Research partnerships / networks / collaborators
- Intra-Inter Institutional Collaboration & Partnerships
Human Capacity Building
The Associate Researcher will be responsible for supporting Human Capacity Development that includes support of
- Project staff and students
- Self-development
Job Requirements
- MSc Degree (or equivalent NQF9) with three (3) years' experience in Plant Physiology, Plant Biotechnology, Plant Production, Botany, Horticulture, or closely related field.
- Minimum of one (1) peer-reviewed scientific publication.
- Experience in plant tissue culture method development and validation.
- Experience in project management, postgraduate student supervision or mentoring.
- Record of mentoring and/or supervising/co-supervising students.
- Agricultural research knowledge and skills.
- Good communication skills (verbal and written).
- Computer literacy.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Registration with a scientific and professional body will be an added advantage.
Enquiries: Prof Stephen Amoo, Tel: (012) 808 8000
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION: 16 July 2026
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 and preference will be given to designated groups in terms of the ARC Employment Equity Plan. Permanent appointments are subject to six (6) months’ probation period.
The Agricultural Research Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles and processes of Employment Equity Act.
Applications accompanied by covering letter, detailed CV (Including certified copies of certificates, supporting documents, copy of driver’s license and at least three contactable referees) must be attached on the form.
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. The company has the right not to appoint.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT: GLASSHOUSE
Roodeplaat
Job Reference Number: PHP0658
Department: 06 - PPRI
Business Unit:
Industry: Research
Job Type: Permanent
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related
The ARC seeks to appoint a highly skilled, experienced and dynamic person to the following position(s) at Plant Health Protection (ARC-PHP), Roodeplaat, Pretoria. Roodeplaat Roodeplaat
Job Description
- Keeping the washroom, pot preparation and industrial autoclave room clean.
- Assist research technicians and researchers with any research activity especially glasshouse trials
- and field trials
- Autoclaving soil, pots and glassware, water and media etc
- Prepare and set up pots and Leonard jars for trial and make sure there is enough distilled water in
- the glasshouses
- Carry heavy soils for trials to the glasshouses
- Washing BNF glassware manually or with dishwasher machine
- Recoding of incubation rooms, cold rooms and fridges temperatures on the log sheets (ISO)
- Laboratory stock solution preparation and all good laboratory practice duties
- Support collection research and diagnostic activities
- Collecting stock from stores and delivered items for the Unit
Job Requirements
- Grade 12/National Senior Certificate.
- Diploma in Crop productions preferably Biological Sciences and soil science will be advantageous.
- One (1) year lab experience and culture collection will be advantageous.
- Knowledge of preparing soil and conducting rhizobia or PGPR trials on crops in the glasshouse
- Knowledge and handling of bacteria and their maintenance.
- Knowledge of operating equipment’s industrial autoclave.
- Experience in working with soil for trials in the glasshouses or working in the field.
- Able to carry heavy materials.
- Basic computer literacy.
- Good Communication Skills (Written and Verbal).
- Ability to organize, prioritize and work systematically.
- Driver’s license as added advantage.
Enquiries: Dr Francina Bopape, Tel: (012) 808-8199
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 14 JULY 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 RESEARCH ASSISTANT: STORE GRAIN
Roodeplaat
Job Reference Number: PHP0657
Department: 06 - PPRI
Business Unit:
Industry: Research
Job Type: Permanent
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related
The ARC seeks to appoint a highly skilled, experienced and dynamic person to the following position(s) at Plant Health Protection (ARC-PHP), Roodeplaat, Pretoria. Roodeplaat
Job Description
- Assist and support in the efficacy trial work under supervision of a researcher, which can include and is not limited to trial set up, observations and insect progeny counting in the Stored Grain Pests Unit.
- Assist and support taste tests and pesticide application spraying trials
- Assist with ad hoc activities relating to pesticide efficacy trial work.
- Lab maintenance and preparation, which includes cleaning of equipment and consumables, preparing moth medium and good lap practices.
- Assist with fieldwork, should the need arise
Job Requirements
- Grade 12/National Senior Certificate (or equivalent/RPL).
- Five (5) years relevant experience with insect rearing, entomology and fieldwork.
- Computer literacy (including MS Office, statistical software). Additional computer skills advantageous.
- Code B/EB driver’s license required, with at least two (2) years of frequent driving experience (distance / off-road advantageous).
Enquiries: Ms Robin Lyle (012) 808-8186
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 15 JULY 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.