Lecturer

The incumbent’s responsibilities will include:

• Joining a world class team of researchers working in the field of plant health and productivity in the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI);
• Associating with the Department of Computer Science and the African Institute for Data Science and AI (AfriDSAI);
• Undertaking goal directed research in the field of Data Science and AI related to plant health and productivity and supervising postgraduate students in these fields;
• Contributing to undergraduate and honours teaching in the associated Department;
• Participating as a member of the FABI Management Committee to advance the goals of the institute;
• Participating in the activities of other research teams within FABI and contributing to the effective operation of the Institute;
• Engaging with a broad range of stakeholders linked to the Institute including other UP collaborators, international collaborators, local government and industry (including extension), as well as funding organisations that provide external support for FABI’s research.

• A relevant PhD degree;
• Teaching and research experience with an established publication record in leading international journals that demonstrates research at a high international standard;
• Specialisation in the field of data science and AI, related to plant health, sensor technologies or related fields with applications relevant to Forestry and Agriculture;
• Evidence of the ability to gain an NRF rating in the near future.

• The ability to inspire students;
• Commitment to working in a strong multidisciplinary research team and addressing grand challenges in Agriculture and Forestry;
• The ability to teach classes effectively;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• A research focus on data science and AI;
• Experience in working with emerging technologies in the field of plant health or productivity or plant phenotyping;
• Experience working with other forms of biological data;
• Experience working with sensor and imaging technologies;
• Experience working with GIS linked data;
• Experience working with climate change data;
• Experience in engaging a broad range of academic and non-academic stakeholders and fundraising experience.

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 medical aid scheme 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.

• A comprehensive CV;
• Certified copies of qualifications;
• Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact;
• Names and contact details of peer reviewers (academic and research);
• Self-evaluation.

CLOSING DATE: 16 May 2025

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

Mr T Moodley, Tel: (012) 420 2108 for application-related enquiries, and Prof B Slippers, Tel: (012) 420 2463 for enquiries relating to the post content.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 July 2025, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.