SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE (SANBI) VACANCIES

​ 
 
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR 2024 GBIF GRADUATE RESEARCHERS AWARD
 
The call is now open for the GBIF 2024 Graduate Researchers Award previously the Young Researchers Award. The award fosters innovative research and discovery in biodiversity informatics by graduate students in master’s and doctorate programmes at universities, whose studies rely on GBIF mediated data, in countries participating in the GBIF network.
 
The 2024 programme will provide €5,000 prizes recognizing the work of two early-career researchers preferably, one master’s and one PhD candidate—nominated by the Heads of Delegation and Node Managers from GBIF Participant countries.
 
CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
 
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
 
Closes: Friday, 24 May 2024
 
 
 
 

​ 
 
 
 
CALL FOR REGISTRATION ON RESEARCH ASSISTANT’S DATABASE
 
APRIL 2024 – MARCH 2025
SANBI manages a database of unemployed students including new graduates who are interested in periodically working as research assistants to our scientists and post graduate students.
 
We invite interested individuals who will be available for occasional work between April 2024 and March 2025 to register on our database. Formal qualifications are a prerequisite, however we will under exceptional circumstances consider individuals who have no formal tertiary qualifications. Some experience and, in the case of fieldwork, enthusiasm for working outdoors, are important considerations.
 
Applicants must be South African citizens or have valid South African permanent residency.
 
This is an opportunity to gain practical research experience of South Africa’s rich biodiversity, and to work with established scientists. However appointment is funding and need dependent.
 
Compensation will be determined by the guidelines as outlined in the SANBI Research Assistants Policy (rates range between R45.00 and R110.00 per hour, depending on qualification – 8 hours per day maximum).
 
 
Application
Please send a brief CV (not more than 2 pages), certified copies of your academic record, highest qualification, ID and/or permanent residency, driver’s license and reference letter to recruitmentct@sanbi.org.za
 
For more information, please contact Ms Zena Appollis on (021) 7998648/8800.
 
Attachments may not exceed 10MB.
 
Please note that registration on the database will be required annually. If you have previously registered you are required  to resubmit an updated application form. Current names on the database will be discarded unless a renewed application is submitted.
 
APPLICATION FORM
 
Closes: Tuesday, 30 April 2024
Location: South Africa
 
 
 
 

​
CHIEF DIRECTOR: BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH, ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING
Reference number: BRAM/001/2024
 
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is looking for a highly motivated individual to provide strategic leadership for SANBI, particularly in the thematic areas of work assigned to the Biodiversity Research, Assessment and Monitoring Division (i.e. biodiversity assessment, pressures, and knowledge/evidence required to inform decision making and policy).
This position requires a postgraduate degree at NQF level 8 in Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, Ecology, Biology, Botany, or an equivalent and relevant qualification at NQF level 8. A relevant postgraduate degree at NQF level 9 or equivalent qualification will be an added advantage. This position also requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience and at least 5 years must be in Senior Management, at Director or equivalent level. The successful candidate should be self-motivated, innovative and must have in-depth understanding of national and global biodiversity conservation and knowledge about legislation pertaining to biodiversity conservation. The candidate must be in possession of a valid driver’s licence and must be willing to travel nationally and internationally. The successful candidate will be required to acquire a Senior Management Service Pre-entry Certificate offered by National School of Government before assumption of duty.
 
Key Performance Responsibilities include:  

• Provide direction in the development and implementation of strategy for the Biodiversity Research, Assessment and Monitoring Division, and contribute to the development and implementation of SANBI’s Research Strategy.
• Lead SANBI’s technical and scientific support for the Scientific Authority and advise the Head: Biodiversity Science and Policy Advice on issues relating to biodiversity research, monitoring and assessment.
• Strategically increase the profile and impact of SANBI science on biodiversity assessments, biological invasions, the Scientific Authority and biodiversity economy.
• Strategically lead the biodiversity assessment aspect of SANBI’s work including relevant cross functional steering committees.
• Strategically lead, manage and direct teams undertaking research and development activities to provide evidence that can inform decisions and actions relating to priority biodiversity issues.
• Develop, promote, facilitate and expand effective partnerships to achieve SANBI strategic outputs in biodiversity conservation, research and assessments.
• Promote human capital development, change management and transformation in the division.
• Ensure proper governance, planning, reporting, performance management, effective risk management and compliance to applicable legislation.
• Facilitate Resource mobilisation that supports the Biodiversity Research, Assessment and Monitoring.

 
Application procedure:
1) An application form must accompany the CV together with a letter motivating why the applicant should be favourably considered for this position, and certified qualifications confirming that the minimum qualifications are met (applicants lacking evidence of meeting minimum qualifications and relevant experience will not be considered).
2) A skills test, competency assessment, qualifications and criminal record checks will be conducted as part of the selection process.
3) Applicants must also provide the full names, addresses and telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least three referees.
4) Failure to submit the requested information and reference number may result in your application not being considered.
 
Personal Information will be processed by SANBI for purposes of assessing your suitability for the advertised position. SANBI may also share your personal information including special personal information with service providers or third parties, both within the Republic of South Africa and in other jurisdictions, to carry out verification of qualifications and other necessary documents, background and reference checks, competency assessment tests, and criminal record checks. In this regard, by virtue of your application, you acknowledge that SANBI’s authorized verification agent(s) and service providers will access your personal information including special personal information to conduct background screening, verification of qualifications and other necessary documents, reference checks, competency assessment tests, and criminal record checks. For more information, kindly refer to SANBI’s website.
 
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. SANBI reserves the right not to fill this position. All applications will be considered with the understanding that, in terms of the SANBI Employment Equity Plan, preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups.
 
Contact Mr Maano Netshiombo on (+27) 12 843 5295/082 453 0497 for any clarity. Applications consisting of the completed application form, motivation letter, a concise CV, and certified qualifications are to be submitted via an e-mail to recruitmentpta@sanbi.org.za      
 
Candidates are expected to be available for selection interviews on a date and time as determined by SANBI. If no response has been received within 30 days of the closing date, candidates may consider their applications unsuccessful.
 
APPLICATION FORM
 
Closes: Friday, 26 April 2024
Job type: Permanent
Salary: R1 371 558.00 - R 1 635 897 per annum
Location: Cape Town/Pretoria

​
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP: CLIMATE ADAPTATION IN MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
Duration: One year
 
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral fellow to join the Climate and Marine teams at SANBI. The successful candidate will lead research to improve the planning for climatic adaptation in marine ecosystems. This could potentially contribute to the proposed Green Climate Fund marine and costal adaptation concept proposal. Applicants can share their vision of how their postdoctoral research can build upon existing local and or international research and innovate in terms of advancing climate resilience in marine ecosystems in South Africa. This work should feed into climate adaptation planning and or spatial planning to support climate adaptation in resilience under the global biodiversity framework. This could include spatial analysis to support protected area expansion or other effective conservation measures that advance the protection marine ecosystems. Research could focus on literature review and local application or innovation draw from international progress in this context. The successful candidate will be able to contribute to South Africa’s National Biodiversity Assessment.
 
Requirements: The postdoctoral fellowship is open to anyone who has completed a PhD in the last five years, or who has submitted their PhD thesis for examination and it will likely be awarded within the next few months. Requirements include demonstrated aquatic biodiversity and oceanographic knowledge, knowledge of climate change and an ability to synthesise literature and apply this in a local context. Good writing skills are essential as is a track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Experience with spatial analyses may be an advantage if the postdoc is likely to contribute to spatial planning and assessment, but there is flexibility in terms of the focus and approach of the successful candidate.
 
Research Areas: The main focus of this fellowship is to support climate adaptation in marine ecosystems. There is some flexibility depending on the research experience and interests of potential candidates, with scope to tailor the postdoc to be mutually beneficial across research teams. The successful candidate will be expected to work with climate scientists and the marine biodiversity programme staff at SANBI. There is potential to be involved in both the National Biodiversity Assessment and spatial planning to improve ecosystem protection.
The work will include interrogation of literature, identifying, sourcing and managing relevant data, collaborating with scientists, and potentially spatial or other planners, to advance planning for improved climate resilience in marine ecosystems. The incumbent will work within a small team that networks and collaborates broadly and will be exposed to the exciting array of science-to-policy work that SANBI conducts in multiple realms.
 
Bursary value: The value of the fellowship is R 350 000 per year.  Please note that this fellowship is not subject to income tax, the university will pay a stipend to the fellow as per their procedures. Limited running expenses may be made available.
 
University: The postdoctoral fellow may propose a South African University of their choice or work with SANBI to find a host university. The postdoctoral fellow will be co-supervised by multiple SANBI staff including scientists from the climate and aquatic programmes.
 
Application procedure: Applications must include a standard bursary application cover sheet (attached to this advert); a full CV; certified copies of ID and academic records; two letters of reference (one must be from an academic supervisor); examples of published work and a motivation letter describing the applicant’s suitability for the position in terms of skills and experience and highlights of achievements to date, research interests, a potential vision for the postdoc and future goals should be included in at least 2 paragraphs (max two-pages in total for the overall letter).
 
Send all application documents to students@sanbi.org.za and students.sanbi@gmail.com with “Marine Climate Adaptation Postdoc Fellowship” in the subject line and copy G.VonMaltitz@sanbi.org.za.
 
SANBI reserves the right not to fill this fellowship. If no response has been received within 21 days of the closing date, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful.
 
Contact details:
Academic queries:
Dr Graham von Maltitz (G.VonMaltitz@sanbi.org.za)
Prof Kerry Sink (k.sink@sanbi.org.za).
Application process:
Ms René du Toit (r.dutoit@sanbi.org.za).
 
APPLICATION COVER SHEET
 
Closes: Thursday, 18 April 2024 (successful candidate will be notified before end April 2024)
Location: Cape Town