Crop Protection Researcher (Agrochemicals) at Ntice Search

About the position

SASA- Crop Protection Researcher (Agrochemicals



The South African Sugar Association (SASA) has a permanent vacancy for a Crop Protection Researcher (Agrochemicals), based at Mount Edgecombe.

Effective management of current and emerging sugarcane pests, diseases and weeds is central to the sustainability of the SA sugar industry. In recognition of this, the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) conducts research and development on behalf of sugarcane farmers and millers to provide innovative area-wide integrated pest, disease and weed management approaches. In many instances, the responsible and targeted use of chemical and biological agents are necessary within these integrated approaches.

Within this context, the industry is seeking a crop protection researcher who has experience and expertise in the responsible deployment of agrochemical and biological agents as part of area-wide integrated pest, disease and weed management approaches.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Propose, refine, and drive research into the effective use of registered biological and chemical agents as part of integrated crop protection approaches for sugarcane.
• Report research findings at conferences and publish in scientific journals and the popular press;in collaboration with relevant third parties, investigate novel chemistries, new agrochemical, and biological agents for use in sugarcane agriculture.
• Communicate with and provide support and training to the SASRI Biosecurity Inspectorate and to sugarcane farmers through the SASRI Extension Service; and be willing to mentor early- to mid-career research staff to support their progress in developing independent science careers in sugarcane crop protection.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• A minimum of an MSc in the biological or agricultural sciences.
• Five years' experience in field and laboratory research connected with agrochemical/ biological evaluation
• Experience in research collaboration with commodity crop industries in the development and implementation of integrated crop protection tactics
• A willingness to mentor early- to mid-career colleagues
• Good project management skills
• A code EB driver's license
• Registration with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) 
• AVCASA accreditation

In addition, due to the SA Sugar Industry's commitment to the sustainability of small-scale and land-reform sugarcane farming communities, experience of working with these farming sectors in other commodity crop industries will be viewed as a further advantage.

Desired Skills:

• Crop
• Protection
• Researcher