RESEARCH SUPPORT ASSISTANT: PLANT IMPROVEMENT X2

Agricultural Research Council; KwaMaqoma; On-site; ZAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural research organization is looking for an assistant to support research activities in KwaMaqoma, Eastern Cape. Responsibilities include assisting with land preparation, pest monitoring, and sample processing. Ideal candidates will be engaged, proactive, and compliant with safety regulations. This role offers valuable hands-on experience in agricultural research.

Responsibilities

• Assist with basic research services under supervision.
• Assist with land preparation, markers and seed counting.
• Assist with planting, fertilization, weeding, and harvesting.
• Monitor unwanted pests and apply pest control.
• Assist with processing samples for analysis.
• Perform manual data capturing.
• Help maintain glasshouses and the farm.
• Support organizing scientific events.
• Provide feedback on work activities to supervisors.
• Identify personal learning opportunities.
• Use research equipment according to specifications.
• Comply with safety regulations.

Job description

• Assists with basic research services under supervision.
• Assist with land preparation, markers and seed counting.
• Assisting with planting, fertilization, weeding, watering and harvesting of glasshouse and field trials.
• Monitoring of unwanted pests (mealybugs, thrips, scale insects, fruit flies, and mites etc.) and spraying with pesticides (pest control).
• Assisting with the processing of samples for disease and pest analysis.
• Manual data capturing.
• Assist with upkeep of glasshouses and the farm.
• Provides support with organizing and hosting scientific events.
• Provides written and verbal feedback on work activities to supervisors.
• Identifies and participates in own learning opportunities.
• Correct use of research equipment and consumables according to specifications.
• Complies with SHE/OHS regulations and procedures.