Junior Lecturer: Precision Agriculture in Field Crops

Junior Lecturer: Precision Agriculture in Field Crops

• Type of engagement: Permanent appointment

(Five-year fixed-term appointment)

Ref. AW01/044/0325

The Department of Agronomy within the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University (SU) is dedicated to advancing the science and technology that underpin key agricultural sectors, including grain and oilseed crops, pastures, and vegetables. An emerging focus is to leverage new advances in crop production systems and precision farming technologies to enhance productivity and sustainability. This role emphasises precision agriculture, integrating innovative technologies to optimise field crop production through data-driven decision-making and precision management practices. This position supports the objectives of the SU-BFAP Research Chair in Precision Agriculture which aims to perform focused research in the discipline of precision agriculture, balancing business-related problems and pure academic research. The Chair will collaborate with other research and funding institutions to advance the field and disseminate research results to benefit the broader industry.

Job Description

Duties:

• Participating in an active and productive research programme within precision agriculture technologies for field crops, and publishing such research in relevant, peer-reviewed journals.
• Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in compliance with the general teaching focus of the Department of Agronomy, with a particular emphasis on precision agriculture and field crop management.
• Developing and evaluating course material related to precision farming techniques and technologies.
• Participating in active research funding applications to support precision agriculture initiatives.
• Co-supervising postgraduate students, particularly those involved in precision agriculture research projects.
• Engaging and maintaining national and international research and industry partnerships and networks to advance the field of precision agriculture in field crops.
• Engaging in community or industry interaction projects that promote the adoption of precision farming practices.
• Participating in administrative service delivery at departmental, Faculty, and University levels.
• Collaborating with the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) to align research projects with industry needs and ensuring practical applications of research findings.
• Reporting to the Steering Committee on all Chair-related matters and contributing to the strategic objectives of the Chair.

Inherent Criteria

Requirements:

• MSc in Agronomy, Crop Science, or a closely related field.
• The ability and willingness to conduct research in precision agriculture or field crop management.
• The ability and willingness to participate in an active teaching programme at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Demonstrated knowledge of precision farming technologies and their applications in field crops.
• Knowledge of precision agriculture tools and software.
• Written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals.
• The ability to collaborate with industry stakeholders to ensure the practical application of research findings.
• The ability to demonstrate and uphold SU’s core values.

Application Requirement

Commencement of duties:

01 June 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter

Enquiries regarding this post: Prof Pieter Swanepoel on 021 808 4803, or at pieterswanepoel@sun.ac.za

Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits, as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 8082753 (Stellenbosch) / 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at sun-e-hr@sun.ac.za

Stellenbosch University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the EE plan for the specific environment as well as the institutional EE Plan of the University.

Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and email addresses of at least three referees), must reach the University before or on the closing date of the advertised post.

The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires people in occupations that entail potential exposure to certain hazards (such as, but not limited to: noise, hazardous chemical substances and hazardous biological agents) to be subjected to medical screening, to determine their fitness to work in the said occupations.

Should no feedback be received from the University within four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application did not succeed.