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AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (ARC)
 
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-Soil, Climate and Water (ARC-SCW) seeks to appoint a highly, experienced and dynamic persons to the following positions in Arcadia, Pretoria; Glen, Bloemfontein and Stellenbosch: 
 
 
SENIOR RESEARCHER / RESEARCHER: GEO-INFORMATION SCIENCE (3 THREE POSI-TIONS): STELLENBOSCH AND PRETORIA 
 
Key Performance Areas: 
 Drive strategic research direction for the Geo-information Science Programme towards the fourth Industrial revolution, 
 Pro-active personnel management in terms of application and effective utilisation to maintain and strengthen the core of expertise within the Geo-information Science discipline, 
 Project management and recruitment of funding in an agricultural and natural resource environment both nationally and internationally, 
 Design data modelling processes to create algorithms and predictive models and perform custom analysis, 
 Manipulate large data sets and use them to identify trends and reach meaningful conclusions to inform strategic business decisions, 
 Knowledge of programming languages like SQL, Python, R, and Scala, 
 Postgraduate student supervision and research team leadership, 
 Strong mathematics skills (e.g. statistics, algebra), 
 Scientific networking both nationally and internationally, 
 Technology transfer. 
 
 
Requirements:
 PhD in Natural Sciences or Geographical Information Systems (GIS) / Remote Sensing with a strong background in Data Science, 
 At least (5)five years’ post-PhD research experience for Senior Researcher, with a minimum of eight relevant peer-reviewed publications, 
 At least three years’ post-PhD research experience for Researcher, with a minimum of three relevant peer-reviewed publications, 
 Experience in crop statistics (MATLAB or other relevant statistical package) and crop modelling; will be an added advantage, 
 Experience in programming, bush encroachment, alien invasive plant species work and web-based systems development would be an added advantage, 
 Ability to work with rural communities and conduct fieldwork, 
 Good communication skills (written and verbal), 
 Valid driver’s licence (code 08/EB), 
 Registration with PLATO or SACNASP (or evidence indicating that registration could be granted). 
 
Enquiries: Dr G Chirima, Tel: (012) 310 2500 
 
 
 
 
 
RESEARCHER: AGRO-METEOROLOGY 
 
Key Performance Areas: 
 Conduct research on agrometeorological analysis/modelling, 
 Undertake the development of new research projects on climate change and its impact on agriculture, climate change mitigation and adaptation, 
 Support the climate monitoring network and database management, 
 Seek new clients and develop proposals in collaboration with other researchers and technicians, 
 Evaluate research needs and develop, plan and conduct research projects. 
 
Requirements:
 PhD in Agro-meteorology, 
 Minimum of (3) three relevant peer reviewed publications, 
 (3) three years post PhD work experience, 
 Candidate must have proven research background in agriculture and climate-related disciplines, 
 Knowledge of working on soil moisture, evapotranspiration and crop modelling would be added advantage, 
 Ability to work with communities and conduct field work, 
 Successful applicant needs to be in possession of valid driver’s license (code8/EB) as position requires extensive traveling, 
 Willingness to travel away from home for intermediate periods, 
 Good communication skills (written and verbal). 
 
 
Enquiries: Dr ME Moeletsi, Tel: (012) 310 2500 
 
 
 
 
 
RESEARCHER: ANALYTICAL SOIL CHEMISTRY 
 
Key Performance Areas: 
 Grow the Soil Science division as a whole, and the Analytical Services unit in particular, 
 Provide relevant soil chemical inputs to research projects and a range of soil and other analyses, 
 Project management and recruitment of funding in an agricultural and natural resource environment, both nationally and internationally, 
 Monitoring and evaluation of analytical processes, and maintenance of scientific quality standards, 
 Acquisition and maintenance of research and analytical equipment, computers, peripherals and specialized software, 
 Compile analytical reports for clients, 
 Contribute to reporting research findings in scientific articles, 
 Mentoring young scientists / technicians / postgraduate students and discharging duties in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural research team. 
 
Requirements:
 PhD in Soil Science, specialising in soil chemistry, 
 (3) three years post PhD experience in a soil (or related) laboratory environment, 
 Knowledge of a wide range of analytical instrumentation, including ICP-MS and ICP-OES,
 Experience of supervising and managing within research projects, 
 Experience of SANAS accreditation procedure would be an advantage. 
 
Enquiries: Dr G Paterson, Tel: (012) 310 2500