Field Technician Assistant at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
The SAEON Elwandle Coastal Node is based in Port Elizabeth at the Ocean Sciences Campus of the Nelson Mandela University. The Elwandle Coastal Node is mandated to undertake long-term monitoring and research on South Africa’s coastal zone. The node comprises a dynamic team of driven individuals who have a passion for the sustainable utilization of our coastal resources.

Key Responsibilities:

• Providing assistance with the execution of field activities at sea and on estuaries
• Providing assistance with the preparation of, retrieval and deployment of scientific monitoring instruments
• Support the maintenance of the in situ long-term continuous monitoring platforms (CMP·s)
• Provide assistance with maintenance of data and metadata records (data capture, processing and data collation)
• Ad hoc technical assistance to researchers and students

Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelors Degree / Advanced Diploma / NQF 7

Minimum Experience:

• 0-2 years

• BTech or BSc in marine sciences or equivalent qualification
• A valid code B driver·s license
• Category R skippers ticket would be advantageous
• Class IV diving qualification would be advantageous

Experience:

• Previous experience in the setup, operation and maintenance of oceanographic instruments (CTD·s, ADCP·s, data-loggers) is not essential but would be advantageous

Knowledge:

• Preparation and handling of equipment such as field sampling gear and scientific instruments
• Pre- and post-field trip servicing of 4x4 vehicles, coastal and estuarine research vessels, sampling equipment and dive gear
• The servicing of field and in- situ mooring instruments
• The sorting of biological material and the preparation of specimens for laboratory analysis
• The collection of ground control points for the Airborne Remote Sensing Platform (ARSP)

Additional Notes:
Willingness to spend time away from the office in the field, either along the coast or at [URL Removed] successful candidate should pass the SAMSA seafarers [URL Removed] to bend, stoop, stand for long hours and lift heavy [URL Removed] to swim would be [URL Removed] candidates will be subjected to a practical assessment of their technical skills and [URL Removed] NRF website provides more details on the initiatives and activities Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by registering and apply online through the NRF Recruitment and Selection Portal. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant·s suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.

Desired Skills:

• Skilled in applied field of position
• Knowledge to be relevant
• Responsible in performing duties

About The Employer:

The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) is a research platform funded by the Department of Science Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF) since 2002. SAEON conducts long term observation and research in ecosystems on land, the coast and the oceans to understand how those systems function and are changing in time and space through human influences and climate change. We deliver information to our informed policy-making towards a sustainable society.