Description:
South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) a division of the South African Sugar Association (SASA) has a permanent opportunity seeking a motivated and technically skilled Assistant Research Officer (Entomology) to join our multidisciplinary Crop Biology Resource Unit (CBRC) based in Mount Edgecombe.
The South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) is a world-class agricultural research institute within the South African Sugar Association (SASA). This role supports research aimed at improving the biosecurity and long-term sustainability of the South African sugarcane industry. This position will report to the Senior Entomologist .
Key Responsibilities:
Research
- Conduct insecticide bioassays on priority sugarcane pests including Eldana, yellow sugarcane aphid, longhorn beetle, and other economically important pests
- Perform entomological procedures such as pest rearing, dissections, colony maintenance, monitoring, microscopy, and specimen preservation
- Source insect diets, plant material, and host tissue for bioassays
- Conduct microbiological and molecular biology techniques
- Record, analyse, and interpret research data using appropriate electronic tools and statistical methods
- Contribute to proposal development and support research projects identified through the SASRI Programme of Work
Knowledge Exchange
- Communicate research findings through internal reports, peer-reviewed publications, conference papers, and non-peer-reviewed outputs (technical notes, extension articles, newsletters, and industry summaries)
- Present research at internal seminars, conferences, workshops, and industry forums
Training and Supervision
- Train interns, students, and junior staff in laboratory, field, and entomological procedures
- Mentor technical staff and research interns on relevant methodological aspects
Administration
- Forecast material requirements and assist with pre liminary project budgets
- Procure consumables using the SASA online system and maintain records
- Monitor expenditure on relevant cost codes and provide updates on request
- Log maintenance requests and liaise with technical support services
Safety, Health & Environment
- Complete SHE, first aid and fire extinguisher checklists
- Ensure correct PPE usage and adherence to SHE procedures
- Maintain chemical inventories and MSDS files within the entomology laboratories
Minimum Requirements:
Education and Experience:
- BSc (Hons) or MSc with Entomology as a major subject.
- Minimum two years' experience in entomology, microbiology, molecular biology, and laboratory-based research
- Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines and within team-based research environments
- Strong organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Computer literacy is essential
- Code EB driver ' s license
Requirements:
- Conduct insecticide bioassays on priority sugarcane pests including Eldana, yellow sugarcane aphid, longhorn beetle, and other economically important pests
- Perform entomological procedures such as pest rearing, dissections, colony maintenance, monitoring, microscopy, and specimen preservation
- Source insect diets, plant material, and host tissue for bioassays
- Conduct microbiological and molecular biology techniques
- Record, analyse, and interpret research data using appropriate electronic tools and statistical methods
- Contribute to proposal development and support research projects identified through the SASRI Programme of Work
- Communicate research findings through internal reports, peer-reviewed publications, conference papers, and non-peer-reviewed outputs (technical notes, extension articles, newsletters, and industry summaries)
- Present research at internal seminars, conferences, workshops, and industry forums
- Train interns, students, and junior staff in laboratory, field, and entomological procedures
- Mentor technical staff and research interns on relevant methodological aspects
- Forecast material requirements and assist with pre liminary project budgets
- Procure consumables using the SASA online system and maintain records
- Monitor expenditure on relevant cost codes and provide updates on request
- Log maintenance requests and liaise with technical support services
- Complete SHE, first aid and fire extinguisher checklists
- Ensure correct PPE usage and adherence to SHE procedures
- Maintain chemical inventories and MSDS files within the entomology laboratories
- BSc (Hons) or MSc with Entomology as a major subject.
- Minimum two years' experience in entomology, microbiology, molecular biology, and laboratory-based research
- Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines and within team-based research environments
- Strong organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Computer literacy is essential
- Code EB driver ' s license
09 Jan 2026;
from:
careers24.com