Senior Researcher – in Vitro Propagation (Roodeplaat) at Agricultural Research Council

Description

• Oversees the management of (supervision of lab managers) for the various in vitro/tissue culture labs (Conservation tissue culture labs, commercial tissue culture lab, quarantine tissue culture lab and mutation breeding tissue culture lab) and associated green/glasshouse infrastructure.
• Initiates and manages research projects on plant tissue culture, method development and optimization of existing protocols.
• Conducts specific research with focus on developing supporting technologies (somatic embryogenesis, cryopreservation, meristem culture etc.) for mass propagation, virus elimination and in vitro breeding.
• Actively sources and secures new research opportunities and funding related to plant tissue culture.
• Compiles quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports (internal and external).
• Captures, analyses, and interprets data.
• Provides leadership, supervision and mentoring of postgraduate students, researchers, research technicians and assistants.
• Contributes towards the seed systems development by optimizing the functions of the commercial tissue culture lab.
• Human resources management to ensure efficient deployment and utilisation, setting objective assessment and training.
• Disseminates technology through peer-reviewed scientific articles, popular publications, manual production, radio, and TV talks, etc.
• Initiates links and collaborates with national and international organisations.
• Trains postgraduate students and technical personnel in the use of specialised analytical instruments and associated software.
• Compliance with human resource policies and procedures.
• Compliance with occupational health and safety policies and procedures

Requirements

• PhD in Plant Biotechnology, Plant physiology, Horticulture and/or related fields.
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in plant tissue culture systems and 8 relevant peer reviewed publications.
• Experience in plant tissue culture method development and validation.
• Demonstrable experience in designing and execution of biotech method development research.
• Knowledge and experience in genetic resources management is an added advantage.
• Evidence of substantial publications in ISI-rated scientific journals.
• Evidence of popular article publications will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrable experience in project management.
• Postgraduate student mentoring or supervision experience.
• Registration with a relevant scientific registration body, where applicable.
• Management skills including personnel and research project management.
• Good communication (verbal & writing) skills.
• Agricultural Research knowledge and skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Knowledge of intellectual property opportunities.
• Knowledge of work-place health and safety regulations and procedures.
• Valid driver’s license.