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SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE (SANBI) VACANCIES
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE (SANBI)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
Kirstenbosch Research Centre or University of Cape Town, Newlands, Cape Town
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral fellowship with the Division Biodiversity Research Assessment and Monitoring at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and with the South African Research Chair (SARChI Chair) in Intellectual Property, Innovation and Development at the University of Cape Town’s Law Faculty, to support SANBIs protection and commercialisation of Intellectual Property and empowerment of staff in that regard.
The postdoctoral fellowship is to address a key knowledge gap identified in SANBI in terms of protection of Intellectual Property (IP) and identifying potential commercialisation opportunities for SANBI.
Requirements
The postdoctoral fellowship is open to anyone who has completed a PhD in the last five years, or who has submitted the final version of their PhD (i.e. letter/form from supervisors noting that all corrections requested by reviewers have been addressed) by the time of applying for this fellowship.
Candidates must have a strong IP background, preferably including an appreciation or understanding of biodiversity and/or bioprospecting. Candidates must be independent and productive with a peer-reviewed publication track record.
Applicants may not previously have held full-time permanent professional or academic posts. Applicants must be familiar and comfortable with engaging with partner organisations on IP related matters. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to undertake research, synthesise literature and information, and use evidence to formulate defendable recommendations on SANBIs management of IP and bioprospecting opportunities.
The position also involves coordination and convening workshops with SANBI staff for capacity building purposes, visiting SANBI offices across the country and engaging with key partner organisations.
Research areas
The main avenues of research are:
(1) undertake a benchmarking exercise with similar biodiversity institutions globally in their management of IP and bioprospecting;
(2) conduct a comprehensive IP audit for SANBI to identify existing IP in need of protection, as well as IP and bioprospecting opportunities for potential commercialisation;
(3) develop a SANBI IP register;
(4) engage SANBI staff in workshops to understand the nature of the work at SANBI and the IP protection needs together with bioprospecting opportunities. Engage staff in workshops and seminars for capacity building purposes to empower staff in the management of IP and bioprospecting;
(5) develop easy to follow guidelines for staff on the management of IP and bioprospecting; and
(6) finalise IP Policy and procedures, including for bioprospecting, and facilitate the establishment of an IP Management Committee.
Value: A fellowship of R300,000 per year for two (2) years is available. Funds for running expenses will also be made available each year.
Application procedure
Each application is to be accompanied by a standard bursary application cover sheet (attached to this advert). Applications are to include 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 (no longer than a page) describing the applicant’s suitability for the position in terms of skills, experience and published research.
Send all documents to students@sanbi.org.za and students.sanbi@gmail.com with ‘SANBI-Intellectual Property Postdoctoral Fellowship’ in the subject line.
The successful candidate will be notified by end August 2023.
SANBI and UCT reserve the right not to fill this fellowship. If no response has been received by end August 2023, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful.
Academic queries:
Dr Theressa Frantz
E-mail: T.Frantz@sanbi.org.za
Prof Caroline Ncube
E-mail: caroline.ncube@uct.ac.za
General enquiries:
Ms René du Toit
E-mail: r.dutoit@sanbi.org.za
Application form
Closes: Friday, 18 August 2023
Value: R300,000 per annum
Location: Cape Town
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
Kirstenbosch Research Centre or University of Cape Town, Newlands, Cape Town
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral fellowship with the Division Biodiversity Research Assessment and Monitoring at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and with the South African Research Chair (SARChI Chair) in Intellectual Property, Innovation and Development at the University of Cape Town’s Law Faculty, to support SANBIs protection and commercialisation of Intellectual Property and empowerment of staff in that regard.
The postdoctoral fellowship is to address a key knowledge gap identified in SANBI in terms of protection of Intellectual Property (IP) and identifying potential commercialisation opportunities for SANBI.
Requirements
The postdoctoral fellowship is open to anyone who has completed a PhD in the last five years, or who has submitted the final version of their PhD (i.e. letter/form from supervisors noting that all corrections requested by reviewers have been addressed) by the time of applying for this fellowship.
Candidates must have a strong IP background, preferably including an appreciation or understanding of biodiversity and/or bioprospecting. Candidates must be independent and productive with a peer-reviewed publication track record.
Applicants may not previously have held full-time permanent professional or academic posts. Applicants must be familiar and comfortable with engaging with partner organisations on IP related matters. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to undertake research, synthesise literature and information, and use evidence to formulate defendable recommendations on SANBIs management of IP and bioprospecting opportunities.
The position also involves coordination and convening workshops with SANBI staff for capacity building purposes, visiting SANBI offices across the country and engaging with key partner organisations.
Research areas
The main avenues of research are:
(1) undertake a benchmarking exercise with similar biodiversity institutions globally in their management of IP and bioprospecting;
(2) conduct a comprehensive IP audit for SANBI to identify existing IP in need of protection, as well as IP and bioprospecting opportunities for potential commercialisation;
(3) develop a SANBI IP register;
(4) engage SANBI staff in workshops to understand the nature of the work at SANBI and the IP protection needs together with bioprospecting opportunities. Engage staff in workshops and seminars for capacity building purposes to empower staff in the management of IP and bioprospecting;
(5) develop easy to follow guidelines for staff on the management of IP and bioprospecting; and
(6) finalise IP Policy and procedures, including for bioprospecting, and facilitate the establishment of an IP Management Committee.
Value: A fellowship of R300,000 per year for two (2) years is available. Funds for running expenses will also be made available each year.
Application procedure
Each application is to be accompanied by a standard bursary application cover sheet (attached to this advert). Applications are to include 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 (no longer than a page) describing the applicant’s suitability for the position in terms of skills, experience and published research.
Send all documents to students@sanbi.org.za and students.sanbi@gmail.com with ‘SANBI-Intellectual Property Postdoctoral Fellowship’ in the subject line.
The successful candidate will be notified by end August 2023.
SANBI and UCT reserve the right not to fill this fellowship. If no response has been received by end August 2023, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful.
Academic queries:
Dr Theressa Frantz
E-mail: T.Frantz@sanbi.org.za
Prof Caroline Ncube
E-mail: caroline.ncube@uct.ac.za
General enquiries:
Ms René du Toit
E-mail: r.dutoit@sanbi.org.za
Application form
Closes: Friday, 18 August 2023
Value: R300,000 per annum
Location: Cape Town
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE RESEARCHER
Reference Number: BRAM/007/2023
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is looking for a self-motivated individual to contribute towards achievement of SANBI’s mandate by gathering indigenous knowledge from traditional healers for use in the National Biodiversity Assessment.
This position requires an Honours Degree in Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, Ecology, Biology, Botany or equivalent qualification at NQF 8. There is no work experience required for this position. A postgraduate qualification in Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, Ecology, Biology, Botany or equivalent qualification at NQF level 9 will be an added advantage.
The following competencies are required for the candidate to be successful in this position: experience in participatory methodologies and community engagement; knowledge of priority medicinal plants and the cultural practises required to respect indigenous knowledge holders; workshop facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills; project and time management knowledge and skills; engaging and mentoring students and interns; basic Geographical Information System (GIS) skills. must be responsible, self-motivated, proactive and able to work with minimal supervision; ability to work well independently, as well as effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, and as part of a team; well-developed relationship-building skills; good time management skills with the ability to deliver on deadlines; effective verbal and written communication capabilities are essential; computer literacy will be an advantage; and the possession of a valid driver’s licence with at least one-year practical driving experience and a willingness to travel is essential.
Key Performance Responsibilities include:
- Interview traditional healers to ascertain availability of priority medicinal plants, and feed data into the red list assessment process;
- Engage traditional authorities and traditional healers on knowledge sharing of the location of sacred sites and key medicinal plant resource zones;
- Document spatially the location of scared sites and key medicinal plant resource zones using appropriate spatial software;
- Co-ordinate a team of national experts on medicinal plants; and
- Distribute cultivated medicinal plant materials to traditional healers to help alleviate pressure on wild populations of threatened medicinal species.
Salary commensurate with a range of inputs and outputs in terms of the SANBI career ladder for scientists.
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 competency test will be conducted as part of the selection process.
3) Applicants must also provide the full names, addresses and telephone numbers and if possible e-mail addresses of at least three referees.
4) Failure to submit the requested information and reference number shall 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 authorised 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 Stephen Mahlangu on 012 583 5217 for any queries related to seeking clarity on this position. Applications consisting of the completed application form, motivation letter, a concise CV, and certified qualifications must be submitted via an e-mail to recruitmentpta@sanbi.org.za
Postal applications must be addressed to:
Assistant Director: Human Resources
South African National Biodiversity Institute
Private Bag X101
Pretoria
0001
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 If no response has been received within 30 days of the closing date, candidates must consider their applications unsuccessful.
Application form
Closes: Wednesday, 09 August 2023
Salary: Salary commensurate with a range of inputs and outputs
Location: Pretoria