Research Support Assistant

The Agricultural Research Council; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural research organization seeks a Junior Laboratory Technician in Stellenbosch. The role involves assisting in the breeding and evaluation of grapevines, conducting laboratory tasks, and tending plants in greenhouses. Candidates should have Grade 10 and good hand-eye coordination, with laboratory experience preferred. This is a full-time, permanent position with a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Good hand-eye coordination skills are required.
• Attention to detail and work accuracy.
• Experience working in a tissue culture or laboratory.
• Experience in nurseries with young plants recommended.
• Experience in a repetitive task work environment.
• Valid driver's license recommended.

Responsibilities

• Execute tasks in collaboration with researchers on breeding and evaluation of grapevine.
• Assist with flower emasculation and pollination.
• Perform embryo rescue procedures.
• Plant seedlings from glass jars to seed trays.
• Tend to plants in greenhouses and tunnels.
• Monitor pests and diseases.

Skills

Laboratory Experience

Data Collection

DNA Isolation

Biochemistry

Statistical Software

Molecular Biology

Research Experience

SPSS

Stata

Qualitative Research Interviewing

Education

Grade 10

Job description

Description

• Execute tasks in collaboration with researchers on breeding and evaluation of grapevine.
• Assist with flower emasculation and pollination.
• Embryo rescue procedures (tissue culture of seedless grape crosses). This includes aseptic removal of rudimentary seeds from surface sterilized berries (crosses), culture & dissection of rudimentary seeds to remove embryos for further culture and development, and transferring germinating embryos to glass jars.
• Plant seedlings from glass jars to seed trays to harden-off plants from tissue culture.
• Plant seedlings from seed trays to plastic plant bags.
• Assist with tending to plants in greenhouses and tunnels (watering, weeding, fertigation).
• Assist with monitoring of pests and diseases in tunnels and greenhouses.
• Washing glassware and general cleaning of laboratory.
• Correct use of equipment according to specification (autoclaves, stereo microscopes, laminar flow benches, etc.).
• Keep equipment neat and clean.
• Any other ad hoc tasks that may be reasonable to be assigned to the job incumbent.

Requirements

• Grade 10 with experience working in an environment where good hand-eye coordination skills are required.
• Attention to detail and work accuracy is extremely important (rudimentary seeds and especially embryos are very small and very steady hands are needed to not damage embryos when dissecting rudimentary seeds).
• Previous experience working in a tissue culture or other laboratory will be a recommendation.
• Experience working in nurseries and with young plants (especially with grape plants) will be a recommendation.
• Experience in a work environment where tasks are repetitive.
• Excellent communication skills (mostly verbal but also written).
• Valid drivers licence recommended but not excluding applicants.

Enquiries: Ms. P Burger Tel: (021)

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS : 18 SEPTEMBER 2025

Competitive remuneration package will be congruent with the scope responsibilities and the stature of the position. The appointment will be subject to a positive security clearance and preference will be given to designated groups in terms of the ARC Employment Equity Plan. Permanent appointments are subject to six (6) months probation period. The Agricultural Research Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles and processes of Employment Equity Act.

Applications accompanied by covering letter, detailed CV (Including certified copies of certificates supporting documents, copy of driver’s license and at least three contactable referees) must be attached on the form.

SAQA evaluation report must accompany foreign qualifications. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who do not receive any response four (4) weeks after the closing date must regard their applications as unsuccessful. The company has the right not to appoint.

Work Level Junior

Job Type Permanent

Salary Market Related

EE Position No

Location Stellenbosch

Required Experience : Junior IC

Key Skills

Laboratory Experience, Spss, Data Collection, DNA Isolation, Stata, Biochemistry, Qualitative Research Interviewing, Research Experience, Statistical Software, Molecular Biology, Research Laboratory Experience, Western Blot

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1