Senior Technical Assistant; Crop Physiology​/Plant Phenomics - Department of Plant and Soil S

UP PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPORT

FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCES

SENIOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANT (CROP PHYSIOLOGY/PLANT PHENOMICS) – PEROMNES POST LEVEL 10

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following 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.

• Teaching support:
  • Supporting undergraduate modules in Horticultural Science, Crop Physiology and Agronomy;
  • Preparing and assisting during practical sessions;
  • Assisting with course and mark administration;
• Research support:
  • Supporting research activities in the Horticultural Science, Agronomy and Plant Phenomics sections of the department;
  • Assisting postgraduate students with research, and demonstrating the use of laboratory and field equipment (for example photosynthesis systems, ceptometers, pressure chambers, plant canopy analysers, data loggers, weather stations and soil water sensors);
  • Assisting with the establishment of research trials in orchards, crop fields and glasshouses;
  • Organising and leading research field excursions; maintaining and operating ecophysiology equipment, data loggers and phenotyping sensors; collecting data in field and glasshouse experiments;
  • Pilot UAVs (drones), and downloading and managing drone data;
• Administration:
  • Liaising with equipment suppliers and managing the procurement of research equipment and consumables through the UP-finance system (Peoplesoft);
  • Arranging accommodation and transport for field excursions;
  • Representing the Department on the Faculty Occupational Health and Safety committee, and act as First-Aider for laboratories and field excursions;
  • Performing asset management duties;
  • Assisting with departmental marketing activities and organise departmental events;
  • Supporting the administration of field outings and community engagement;

• National 3-year Diploma with specialisation in broadly agricultural or botanical subjects;
• At least two (2) years’ experience working in a general agronomy/horticulture laboratory and field environment as well as in general equipment maintenance and repair;
• Hands‑on experience in setting up and conducting field or glasshouse experiments, including the installation of irrigation systems;
• Experience in measuring plant growth parameters and plant physiological performance;
• Experience in servicing scientific equipment or a good working knowledge of electronics and mechanics;
• Experience in performing statistical analysis;
• Driver’s licence (Code 08);

• Good knowledge of plant growth and plant physiology and appropriate data analysis;
• Ability to accurately process large datasets;
• Proficiency in the MS Office suite of software;
• Appropriate language and communication skills.

• BSc, BTech, BSc (Agric), BSc (Honours), MTech or MSc in Horticultural Science or Agronomy or related field;
• A drone RPL (remote pilots’ licence);
• Certificate in health and safety and first aid;
• Postgraduate field or glasshouse experience;
• Remote Pilot License for drone flying or willingness to complete the training course;
• Basic practical knowledge of electronics and irrigation systems;
• Competence in implementing data management and processing software for scientific instruments;
• Experience in performing statistical analysis;
• Experience in practical preparation for undergraduate classes;
• Experience in undergraduate tutoring/demonstration;
• Experience with procurement and administrative systems;
• Experience with photosynthesis systems, ceptometers, Campbell Scientific data loggers, automatic weather stations, leaf area meters, plant canopy analysers, pressure chambers, sap flow systems, soil water sensors, neutron probes, drones and appropriate sensors (RGB and multispectral cameras).

PLEASE NOTE:

All shortlisted candidates may be required to participate in relevant skills assessments as part of the selection process.

The annual remuneration…