AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (ARC) VACANCIES

​ 
 
 
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is a premier science institution that conducts research with partners, develops human capital and foster innovation in support of the agricultural sector. It provides diagnostic, laboratory, analytical, agricultural engineering services, post-harvest technology development, agrochemical evaluation, consultation and advisory services, food processing technology services as well as various surveys and training interventions. Through its wider network of research institutes and experimental farms, the ARC provides a strong scientific base and a broadly distributed technology transfer capacity to the entire agricultural industry in South Africa.
 
The ARC- Tropical and Subtropical Crops (ARC-TSC) seeks to appoint experienced and dynamic person to the following position at Addo in the Eastern Cape Province.
 
Farm Supervisor: Addo Research Farm
Salary (R 191 510 – R 287 264 pa) All-inclusive remuneration package
 
Key Performance Areas:
• Managing and controlling of the labour force on the farm,
• Ensuring adequate execution of farm activities including; general hygiene, weeding, fertilizing, pruning and also orchard establishment,
• Ensuring adequate utilisation of equipment in such a manner that optimal lifespan is realised,
• Managing the whole irrigation process,
• Controlling all farm produce and issuing of diesel; implements etc,
• Keeping the farm clean and neat at all times,
• Assisting with the organizing of events to be held on the farm,
• Assisting with the Occupational Health and Safety aspects on the farm as well as training of farm staff on personal safety and other health aspects,
• Controlling all the assets and stocks of the farm division,
• Supervising harvesting and marketing of farm produce,
• Optimising the utilization of all farm land.
 
Requirements:
• Grade 12 (Matric) with 3 years farming experience,
 A National Diploma in Agriculture/Horticulture will be an added advantage,
• The candidate must also have good interpersonal relations, oral and written communication skills,
• Ability to solve problems, organize and work without direct supervision,
• Good health and physical ability,
• Be able to adapt to different working conditions and willing to work long hours in the sun or adverse weather conditions,
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety aspects.
 
Enquires: Mr Andries Nkuna: Tel: (013) 753 7000
 
 
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 11 November 2022
 
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 and preference will be given to South African citizens.
 
Applications accompanied by covering letter, detailed CV (Including certificates, supporting documents, copy of driver’s license and nationality. NB: Non-RSA Citizens/work permit holders must attach certified copies) as well as the names and particulars of three (3) traceable referees must be e-mail to hritsc@arc.agric.za.
 
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 Agricultural Research Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles and processes of Employment Equity. The company has the right not to appoint.
 
 
 

​
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is a premier science institution that conducts research with partners, develops human capital and foster innovation in support of the agricultural sector. It provides diagnostic, laboratory, analytical, agricultural engineering services, post-harvest technology development, agrochemical evaluation, consultation and advisory services, food processing technology services as well as various surveys and training interventions. Through its wider network of research institutes and experimental farms, the ARC provides a strong scientific base and a broadly distributed technology transfer capacity to the entire agricultural industry in South Africa.
 
 
The ARC-Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants (ARC– VIMP) seeks to appoint a highly skilled, experienced and dynamic person to the following position at Roodeplaat (Pretoria):
 
SENIOR RESEARCH TECHNICIAN: LEGUMINOUS, LEAFY AND FRUIT VEGETABLES (AGRONOMY)
Salary (R381 841 – R572 759 p.a) all-inclusive remuneration package
 
Key Performance Areas:
 Co-ordinates and executes field trials, by compiling and executing technical activity plans,
 Identifies the need for human resources in projects and manages the allocated resources,
 Plans and co-ordinates own and/or other technical project work activities,
 Manages project facilities, materials and equipment,
 Ensures optimal utilisation of resources,
 Independently conducts specialist research/technical support, diagnostics, and other services within a project,
 Collects, captures, processes and interprets technical data and makes internal Project recommendations,
 Compiles detailed technical reports and submits to project managers and/or relevant managers,
 Optimises and implements equipment and/or processes and/ or systems,
 Recommends new technologies to be optimised,
 Develops technical capacity at an appropriate level,
 Identifies and participates in own learning opportunities,
 Renders diagnostic, technical or other services at a national level,
 Is aware of Intellectual Property opportunities,
 Manage allocated facilities, fields, material and equipment and ensure optimal utilization of resources,
 Assists with identifying new business opportunities,
 Participates in transfer of technology and promotion in the form of presentations, posters,
 Workshops, training, products, services, literature, information days, courses and other events,
 Ensures compliance with SHE/OHS policies and procedures.
 
Requirements:
 MTech or MSc Degree in Horticulture/Plant Production or related field, plus 3 years applicable experience,
 Alternatively BSc (Hons) degree or Advance Diploma (or equivalent NQF7) plus 6 years applicable experience,
 Agricultural research knowledge, skills and experience,
 Ability to set-up and manage research trials under open-field conditions,
 Experience and good understanding of weed control, soil cultivation methods, fertilization, spraying for disease and pest control, irrigation systems, soil health and sustainable field management,
 Demonstrable knowledge of irrigation scheduling, use of scientific equipment and use of soil water content monitoring equipment,
 Ability to set up research experiments and collect scientific data for analysis,
 Experience and good understanding of vegetable, and indigenous leafy and root crops production will be added advantage,
 Practical skills such as small repairs on irrigation system, tools and implements will be an added advantage,
 Good verbal and written communication and presentation skills,
 Proficiency in Ms office suite,
 Compliance to safety standards as prescribed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act,
 Valid driver’s license.
 
Enquires: Dr HT Araya: (012) 808 8000
 
 
 
 
 
 
SENIOR RESEARCH TECHNICIAN: AGRONOMY (SHARED SERVICES)
Salary (R381 841 – R572 759 p.a) all-inclusive remuneration package
 
Key Performance Areas:
 Co-ordination and execution of research field trials at Roodeplaat for various vegetable, industrial and medicinal crops as part of the Research and Development shared service support unit,
 Ensures sustainable utilisation of field trial sites by maintaining soil fertility, undertaking regular soil analysis with corrective actions when required, checking irrigation water qualities and implementing a rotational crop system,
 Maintain the general appearance of field trials sites,
 Identifies the need for human resources and manages the allocated resources,
 Plans and co-ordinates own research activities and those of supervised employees in the shared support R&D unit,
 Independently conducts specialist research/technical support, diagnostics, and other services within the unit,
 Manages allocated facilities, fields, material and equipment and ensures optimal utilization of resources,
 Collects, captures, processes, and interprets technical data and makes internal recommendations,
 Compiles detailed technical reports and submits to project managers and researchers,
 Recommends new technologies to be optimized,
 Develops technical capacity at an appropriate level,
 Identifies and participates in own learning opportunities,
 Assists with identifying business opportunities as part of the crop rotation system for unutilised trial sites,
 Compiles and manages allocated project budgets for trial management,
 Participates in transfer of technology and promotion in the form of presentations, posters, workshops, training, products, services, literature, information days, courses and other events.
 
Requirements:
 Master’s degree in Horticulture / Plant Production or related field, plus 3 years applicable experience,
 Alternatively Honours degree or postgraduate Diploma (NQF level 8) in Horticulture / Plant Production or related field, plus 6 years applicable experience,
 Agricultural research knowledge, skills and experience,
 Ability to design, set-up and manage research trials under open-field conditions, including irrigation scheduling for crops growing under open-field and protected environments,
 Experience and good understanding of weed control, soil cultivation methods, fertilization, spraying for disease and pest control, irrigation systems, soil health and sustainable field management,
 Experience in data collection including environmental monitoring data,
 Experience and demonstrable knowledge in vegetable and/or medicinal plant production, with experience in, and good understanding of specifically potato, sweet potato, cotton, leafy & seed vegetables, hemp and medicinal plant production as an added advantage,
 Practical skills, such as small repairs on irrigation system, tools and implements will be an added advantage,
 Experience in managing people, with management of larger teams (30 plus people) will be an added advantage,
 Excellent planning and organising skill is a key differentiating advantage,
 Good verbal and written communication and presentation skills,
 Ms Office suite
 Compliance to safety standards as prescribed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act,
 A valid driver’s license.
 
Enquires: Dr M Truter: (012) 808 8000
 
 
 
 
 
 
RESEARCH TECHNICIAN: LEGUMINOUS, LEAFY AND FRUIT VEGETABLES - NEMATOLOGY & IPM
Salary (R247 537 – R371 307p.a) all-inclusive remuneration package
 
Key Performance Areas:
 Compiling and executing technical activity plans,
 Plan, conduct, and supervise the execution and collection of data of laboratory, glasshouse and field trials,
 Plan, conduct and supervise the monitoring or collection of insect pests in research trails,
 Plan, conduct and supervise the extraction of plant parasitic nematodes from various agricultural crops and from soil,
 Process nematodes for characterization and/or identification,
 Independently prepare soils and plant field trials according to research trial plan,
 Maintain insectaries and live insect cultures for research projects,
 Capture and process technical data with basic analysis,
 Compile technical reports,
 Manage project facilities, material and equipment and ensure optimal utilization of resources,
 Assist with compiling and managing project budgets,
 Supervise and develop technical capacity of Research Assistants,
 Assist with organisation of scientific or marketing events,
 Participate in transfer of technology and promotion in the form of presentations, posters, workshops, training, products, services, literature, information days, courses and other events.
 
Requirements:
 BSc degree (3 years) in Crop Protection/Nematology/Entomology/Plant Pathology/ Agronomy plus 2 years applicable experience,
 Relevant experience in technical aspects of nematology, entomology, plant pathology or agronomy,
 Experience in biological control of nematodes or insects is an added advantage,
 Experience in insect rearing is an added advantage,
 Experience in molecular barcoding for species identification will be an added advantage,
 Verbal and written communication and presentation skills,
 Compliance to safety standards as prescribed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act,
 A valid driver’s licence.
 
Enquires: Dr D Visser: (012) 808 8000
 
 
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 09 NOVEMBER 2022
 
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 and preference will be given to South African citizens.
 
Applications accompanied by covering letter, detailed CV (Including certificates, supporting documents, copy of driver’s license and nationality. NB: Non-RSA Citizens/work permit holders must attach certified copies) as well as the names and particulars of three (3) traceable referees must be e-mail to VOPICV@arc.agric.za
 
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 Agricultural Research Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles and processes of Employment Equity. The company has the right not to appoint.