Intern: Technician and Extension Officer

Job Title - Intern: Technician and Extension Officer (Contract appointment: 1 year) (Job ID: 6042) - Organizational Unit - University of the Free State -> Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences -> Department Plant Sciences - Contract Type - Contract - Occupational Level - Temporary - Location - Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary) - Closing Date - 7/3/2025 - Description **Duties and responsibilities**: - Plant, maintain, and evaluate field and greenhouse trials of summer grain crops. - Assist with surveilling and monitoring summer grain crop diseases across production regions. - Isolate and purify pathogens from various agricultural crops. - Process cultures for morphological and molecular characterization of fungal pathogens. - Contribute to building and maintaining a culture collection. - Perform preliminary data analyses and compile technical reports. - Manage project facilities, consumables, and equipment to ensure optimal utilization of resources and capacity. - Report and communicate findings through various media to specific and wide audiences. - Contribute to publications in peer-reviewed scientific and popular journals. - Assist in organizing and contributing to scientific events, farmer information days, and open days. - Network and interact with researchers, producers, industry, and government to promote awareness about field pathology and integrated disease management. **Inherent requirements**: - A BSc (Hons) or BSc Agric on NQF Level 8 in Agronomy/Plant Pathology/Microbiology. - Relevant experience in technical aspects regarding plant pathological field research and/or diagnostics. - Applicants must hold a valid South African (Code B and/or EB) driver’s license or an international driver’s licence accepted in South Africa (attach a copy). - Must register with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) if not yet registered (attach proof of registration if applicable). **Recommendations**: - A MSc qualification in Agronomy/Plant Pathology/Microbiology. - Proficient in R programming - Effective communication skills, including scientific writing and public speaking - Knowledge of field and greenhouse trial management - Plant disease diagnostics, i.e., morphological and molecular - Proficiency in data analysis and statistical software (particularly R) - Skills in technical report writing - Event planning and organization skills - Knowledge of culture collection management - The applicant should not currently be participating in an existing learnership/internship programme. - The applicant should not have any previous formal work experience. - The applicant must be willing to sign a learnership/internship agreement with UFS. - The applicant must be available for the period of 1 year to participate in the learnership/internship. - Competencies **Required competencies**: - **Results oriented.**: - The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success. - The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations. **- Strategic thinking.** - The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner. - The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work. **- Business Acumen**: - The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations. - Proficient in using MS Office. **- Leading.** - The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm. - The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others. - The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together. **- Building coalitions** - The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others. - The ability to be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations. - The ability to be sensitive and understanding to the needs and feelings of others. - The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people. - The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision. - A detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter. - Copies of qualifications or proof of qualifications obtained (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications). - A copy of your identity document (SA ID or passport for foreign nationals). - Proof of registration with a Professional Body (if applicable). - A copy of your driver’s license. **Assumption of duties**: As soon as possible. **Closing date**: 7 March 2025 **Salary**: The salary is available on request. **Enquiries**: **General**: