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AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (ARC)
 

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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-Plant Health and Protection (ARC-PHP) seeks to appoint highly skilled, experienced and dynamic persons to the following positions at Vredenburg and Roodeplaat: 
 
RECEPTIONIST - VREDENBURG 
 
Key Performance Areas: 
• 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. 
 
Requirements: 
• Grade 12 with at least 2 years relevant work experience in an environment with similar functions. 
• Proficient in MS Office Suite. 
• Good Communication skills (verbal and written). 
• Multitasking skills and customer service. 
• Organisational and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to work in a team. 
 
Enquiries: Ms Nhlanhla Mashinini, Tel: (021) 887 5090 
 
 
 
MSC STUDENT: CANNABIS - ROODEPLAAT 
(TWO (2) YEAR FIXED CONTRACT) 
 
Key Performance Areas: 
• Field collection of cannabis samples. 
• Conducting RNA extractions from cannabis leaf samples. 
• Conducting cDNA synthesis, RT-PCR, qPCR. 
• Phylogenetic analysis of virus strains. 
• Bioinformatics analyses of next generation sequencing data. 
 
Requirements: 
• BSc Honours in Plant Biotechnology/Plant pathology, or related field. 
• Knowledge and experience in field sampling, RNA extraction and PCRs. 
• Experience in Sanger sequencing and plant virology is desirable. 
 
Enquiries: Dr Tendekai Mahlanza, Email: mahlanzat@arc.agric.za  
 
 
 
 
MSC STUDENT: BANANA - ROODEPLAAT 
(TWO (2) YEAR FIXED CONTRACT) 
 
Key Performance Areas: 
• Tissue culture of banana suspension cells and apical meristems. 
• Cloning of CRISPR Cas9 T-DNA vectors. 
• Agrobacterium transformation. 
• DNA and RNA extraction, PCR, qPCRs. 
• Bioinformatic analyses. 
 
Requirements: 
• BSc Honours in Plant Biotechnology/Plant pathology. 
• Knowledge and experience with DNA extraction, PCRs, Sanger sequencing and cloning. 
• Experience in tissue culture and plant virology is desirable. 
 
Enquiries: Dr Tendekai Mahlanza, Email: mahlanzat@arc.agric.za
 
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 12 JUNE 2024 
 
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) must be attached on the form. 
 
❖ To apply for Receptionist – Vredenburg https://forms.office.com/r/N2gr4YzUjc
❖ To apply for MSc Student: Cannabis https://forms.office.com/r/f8FuTgQXZT
❖ To apply for MSc Student: Banana https://forms.office.com/r/vDLMs9W2eK
 
NB: Non-RSA citizens with work permit must attach certified copies as well as the names and particulars of three (3) traceable referees. 
 
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.








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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-Animal Production (ARC-AP) seeks to appoint a highly skilled, experienced, and dynamic person to the following positions at Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal: 
 
SENIOR RESEARCHER - FORAGE BREEDING 
 
Key Performance Areas: 
• Initiates, manages and contributes towards national/ international projects. 
• Actively sources new national/ international research opportunities including writing research proposals. 
• Build and maintain international and national relationships and networking opportunities. 
• Plan and coordinate research with single or multi-disciplinary team. 
• Conduct independent and advanced research. 
• Develop, Maintain and Protect Plant Breeders Rights of the unit. 
• Manages people within projects and compiles detailed reports to various stakeholders. 
• Compiles detailed internal 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. 
• Builds and maintains international and national relationships and networking opportunities. 
• Supervise or co-supervise PhD and MSc students with an emphasis on critical and scarce skills. 
• Complies with all occupational health and safety regulations. 
 
Requirements: 
• A PhD degree in Plant Breeding or equivalent with at least 5 years post PhD experience or 5 years proven relevant experience on the level. 
• A minimum of 12 peer-reviewed papers at the date of appointment. 
• Exposure to Biotechnology applications to marker-assisted selection and modern breeding technologies and Biometrical Genetics. 
• Practical experience and technical knowledge of appropriate research projects, financial and human resource management. 
• Registration with a scientific and professional body will be an added advantage. 
• Verbal and written communication skills. 
• Generates income from commercialisation of ARC IP for financially sustainable research teams. 
• Experience in technology transfer through popular and peer-reviewed articles, presentations and demonstrations. 
• Demonstrated ability to attract external research funds. 
 
 
Enquires: Dr TJ Tjelele, Tel: (012) 672 9314 
 
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 12 JUNE 2024 
 
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) must be attached on the form. 
 
Click on the link to apply https://forms.office.com/r/HvQ4LapgDu
 
NB: Non-RSA citizens with work permit must attach certified copies as well as the names and particulars of three (3) traceable referees. 
 
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.