Senior Assistant Officer x1

Senior Assistant Officer x1

Job Details

• Job Title: Senior Assistant Officer: Technical Research Officer (Post Level 12)

• Job ID: 6367

• Contract Type: Fixed-term contract (4 years)

• Occupational Level: Semi-Skilled

• Location: Bloemfontein Campus, Free State

• Organisational Unit: Faculty of Health Sciences → School of Clinical Medicine → Department of Pharmacology

• Closing Date: 3 March 2026

• Assumption of Duties: As soon as possible

Job Overview

University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications for the position of Senior Assistant Officer: Technical Research Officer (Post Level 12) on a four-year fixed-term contract. This role is based within the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and plays a key role in supporting research, community engagement, and quality assurance activities related to medicinal plant production and herbal medicine development.

The successful candidate will work closely with rural communities, research teams, and laboratory partners to ensure sustainable cultivation practices, quality control, and compliance with international standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support the cultivation, harvesting, transport, storage, and processing of medicinal plant material in accordance with Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP)

• Facilitate training and mentorship for rural communities involved in commercial cultivation and wild harvesting of medicinal plants

• Provide technical guidance and resource management support to improve productivity, quality, and sustainability

• Participate in quality control training and accreditation processes within African Medicines Innovations and Technologies Development (AMITD), with focus on ISO, GACP, GLP, and quality assurance systems

• Maintain documentation and records for audit and compliance purposes

• Assist with basic quality control procedures at community post-harvesting facilities

• Contribute to research and development of herbal medicines and botanical health products

• Monitor project timelines, progress, and compliance with research protocols and community agreements

• Liaise with researchers, students, laboratories, and partner stakeholders

• Travel regularly to rural project sites across South Africa and neighbouring countries

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7), or a three-year National Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Agriculture or a related field

• Minimum of one (1) year relevant experience in plant production, rural development, or medicinal plant research

• Proven experience in community engagement, capacity building, or training delivery

• Knowledge of plant propagation, including tissue culture, nursery, and greenhouse management

• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel extensively to rural areas

Recommended Skills and Experience

• Postgraduate qualification in agriculture or rural development

• Experience in project management and monitoring deliverables

• Understanding of indigenous knowledge systems and their integration into scientific research

• Experience in university-based or interdisciplinary research environments

• Multilingualism in South African languages

• Strong communication, coordination, and interpersonal skills

• Experience in community-based research and commercial agriculture

Salary and Benefits

• Annual remuneration: R388,426.59 – R487,479.38 per annum (depending on experience, qualifications, and budget availability)

• Benefits include:

  • Pension scheme

  • Medical aid

  • Group life insurance

  • Housing allowance

  • Annual and sick leave

  • Service bonus

  • Study benefits (subject to conditions)

Application Process

Applications must be submitted online only via the official UFS vacancy website. Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

Applicants must submit:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae

• Certified copies of qualifications (including SAQA accreditation for foreign qualifications)

• A copy of a South African ID or passport

• Proof of current or previous employment (for external applicants)

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Closing Date: 3 March 2026
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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