VACANCIES
VACANCIES
Plant Pathology Research Technician
(Gqeberha, South Africa)
Citrus Research International (CRI) aims to maximise the long-term global competitiveness of the southern African citrus growers through the development, support, co-ordination and provision of Research and Technical Services. Research on the management of Pre-and Postharvest diseases of citrus is a priority as these diseases can negatively impact citrus production and exports through yield reduction and phytosanitary regulations in certain markets. In order to advance the current research capacity with regards to citrus disease management, CRI wishes to employ a dynamic and dedicated disease management technician in Gqeberha. This position will include the following duties: general plant pathology laboratory work; field trials aimed at disease management; trial layout, execution and evaluation; data collection, analyses and report writing.
The candidate should have a natural science or agricultural tertiary qualification with Plant Pathology (minimum BSc degree; ideally MSc) and relevant experience (either as part of postgraduate studies or work related) in conventional plant pathology laboratory skills and the application and evaluation of agro chemicals.
The candidate must have an excellent inter-personal profile, be fluent in English (Afrikaans proficiency recommended), have good scientific writing skills and be competent in Microsoft Office and statistical software and have a driver’s license. Candidates with the relevant experience and training will be considered.
CRI offers a favourable working environment and a competitive and flexible remuneration package.
For more information, please contact Dr Jan van Niekerk (janvn@cri.co.za).
Please submit your application and CV to:
Me Eloise Coetzer
e-mail: jobapplications@cri.co.za
Phone: 013 759 8000
Receipt of applications will be acknowledged. If you do not receive any further communication within 2 weeks of the closing date, please view your application as unsuccessful.
Closing date for applications: 19 May 2026
Starting date: 1 August 2026 or as soon as possible after
FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCES
SENIOR LECTURER / LECTURER (PLANT PATHOLOGY) (ONE POSITION)
In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the above vacancy.
The University of Pretoria’s commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The incumbent will be responsible for:
- Undergraduate level teaching in plant pathology and basic plant biology;
- Honours level teaching in plant pathology;
- Supervision of postgraduate students in plant pathology;
- Acquiring research funding;
- Conducting and leading research in applied plant pathology;
- Initiating community engagement projects, and engaging in professional development activities.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Senior Lecturer:
- PhD degree in plant pathology or a related agricultural field, with prior undergraduate and MSc-level training in plant pathology or related fields;
- In-depth understanding of basic principles of plant pathology and experience in field-based applied plant pathology;
- A minimum of two (2) years teaching experience at undergraduate level;
- Evidence of postgraduate supervision as main supervisor of at least one (1) graduated Masters student in a relevant field;
- A track record of research in the relevant field published in Web of Science-indexed journals;
- Evidence of successful research grant funding applications;
- Intent to obtain a National Research Foundation Rating (NRF) rating in the next three years;
- Valid driver’s license;
Lecturer:
- PhD degree in plant pathology or a related agricultural field, with prior undergraduate and MSc-level training in plant pathology or related fields;
- In-depth understanding of basic principles of plant pathology and experience in field-based applied plant pathology;
- A minimum of one (1) year teaching experience at undergraduate level;
- Evidence of postgraduate supervision;
- A track record of research in the relevant field published in Web of Science-indexed journals;
- Intent to obtain a National Research Foundation Rating (NRF) rating in the next five years;
- Valid driver’s license.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
- Documented proof of own research outputs in plant pathology;
- Proven academic capabilities in teaching and learning both face to face and in an online and hybrid model environment, research and research supervision;
- Able to seek out funding opportunities and successfully apply for research funding;
- Appropriate language and communication skills, both written and verbal;
- Good knowledge of statistical analyses relevant to agricultural research;
- Be able to collaborate with colleagues within and between departments and foster a constructive research dynamic in the discipline.
ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:
- Preference will be given to a candidate with expertise in field-based and foundational disease diagnostics, and a track record of stakeholder engagement and farmer/grower extension;
- While all specializations are welcome, preference is for expertise in oomycete diseases, nematology, or diseases of emerging crops or natural environments to address national strategic needs and complement existing Departmental and Institutional strengths;
- Relevant post-doctoral experience;
- Evidence of successful funding applications;
- An NRF rating;
- Completed formal university level teaching training programmes;
- Being part of existing local or international research networks and collaborations;
- Verifiable involvement in science-based community engagement activities.
The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent’s level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.
Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za, and follow the link: Careers@UP.
In applying for these posts, please attach:
- A comprehensive CV in the University of Pretoria format (Download template);
- Certified copies of qualifications;
- A self-evaluation addressing the minimum requirements, required competencies, and added advantages and preferences. The self-evaluation must indicate the appointment level (i.e. Senior Lecturer or Lecturer) at which the applicant wishes to be considered and then address the relevant selection criteria;
- Outline of intended research programme and how this links to existing research in the Department and Institution;
- Teaching portfolio detailing University-level teaching philosophy, teaching practice, and experience;
- Names, e-mail addresses and telephone contact details of three referees who can attest to your academic and research profile, and whom we have permission to contact.
NOTE: Shortlisted applicants will be required to present a 20-minute undergraduate lecture on a topic that will be provided prior to the interviews.
CLOSING DATE: 14 May 2026
No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.
ENQUIRIES:
Ms M Huma, mokopa.huma@up.ac.za for application-related enquiries, and Prof DK Berger, dave.berger@up.ac.za for enquiries relating to the post content.
Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 July 2026, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.
The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.
In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference will be given, but is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups.
All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply. All candidates agree to undergo verification of personal credentials.
By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record, credit record, current and historic disciplinary proceedings as part of the selection process.
The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised positions.
Head – Digital Agriculture
Resilient Farming Systems - Digital Agriculture
ICRISAT seeks applications from motivated professionals for a global position of Head – Digital Agriculture to lead, coordinate and support landscape management research portfolio under Global Research Program on Resilient Farming Systems (RFS) at ICRISAT. The Head – Digital Agriculture will provide the vision, technical competence and operational capacity to design and implement a catalytic strategy for digital inclusion and service industrialization at the nexus of agriculture, finance, and technology. The incumbent will be based at the Headquarters in Hyderabad, Telangana.
ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi – arid or dryland tropics has over 2 billion people and 644 million of these are the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower these disadvantaged populations to overcome poverty, hunger and a degraded environment through better agricultural production systems.
ICRISAT is headquartered at Patancheru near Hyderabad, India, with two regional hubs and eight country offices in sub-Saharan Africa. ICRISAT envisions a prosperous, food-secure and resilient dryland tropics. Its mission is to reduce poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation in the dryland tropics. ICRISAT conducts research on its mandate crops of chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet in the arid and semi-arid tropics. The Institute focuses its work on the drylands and in protecting the environment. Tropical dryland areas are usually seen as resource-poor and perennially beset by shocks such as drought, thereby trapping dryland communities in poverty and hunger and making them dependent on external aid. Please visit – www.icrisat.org
Designation Program Director
Resilient Farming Systems
OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD THE GLOBAL RESEARCH PROGRAM OF A GLOBAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE AS THE GLOBAL RESEARCH PROGRAM DIRECTOR – RESILIENT FARMING SYSTEMS
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‑Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is currently seeking a Global Research Program Director – Resilient Farming Systems.
ICRISAT is a non‑profit, non‑political organization conducting agricultural research for development in Asia and sub‑Saharan Africa.
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is currently seeking a Global Research Program Director for their research Program, “Resilient Farming Systems”.
ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi- arid or dryland tropics has over 2 billion people
and 644 million of these are the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower these disadvantaged populations to overcome poverty, hunger and a degraded environment through better agricultural production systems.
ICRISAT is headquartered at Patancheru near Hyderabad, India, with two regional hubs and eight country offices in sub-Saharan Africa.
ICRISAT conducts research on its mandate crops of chickpea, pigeon pea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet in the drylands. The Institute focuses its work on the drylands and in protecting the environment. Tropical dryland areas are usually seen as resource-poor and perennially beset by shocks such as drought, thereby trapping dryland communities in poverty and hunger and making them dependent on external aid.
ICRISAT envisions a prosperous, food-secure and resilient dryland tropics. Its mission is to reduce poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation in the dryland tropics. The approach is through partnership-based international agricultural research-for-development that embodies Science with a Human Face.
