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NOW HIRING: RESEARCH TECHNICIAN

Location: Potchefstroom
Salary: Market Related

A dynamic agricultural research team is seeking a motivated Research Technician to support crop trials, data collection, and field research activities aimed at improving crop performance and agricultural innovation. This role is ideal for someone who is hands-on, detail-driven, and passionate about agricultural research and fieldwork.

Key Responsibilities:
Assist with planning, monitoring, and harvesting crop trials
Collect, record, and manage research data accurately
Support field research and marketing trial activities
Work with sunflower, maize, soybean, and sorghum trials
Participate in farmer days and demonstration plantings

Minimum Requirements:
Agricultural Degree or related qualification
25 years relevant experience
Strong computer and administrative skills
Excellent communication and organisational abilities
Valid drivers licence
Fluent in Afrikaans and English
Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and team-focused

Ideal Candidate:
Practical and research-driven mindset
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Comfortable working in field and research environments
Ability to work independently and within a team

1. Grade 12
2. Degree in Food Science or Food Technology or a related qualification
3. 2-3 Years' previous experience having worked in a NPD environment
4. Very well developed computer and AI prompting skills for writing, accessing, analysing and reporting data
5. Experience in project management, critical path and NPD Stage Gate management with detailed focus on optimisation of current lines
6. Previous experience working within an FMCG or food manufacturing environment is preferred
7. Can-do attitude and eagerness to learn

• Governance, Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance: uphold food safety, regulatory, and labelling standards across all PD activities to ensure audit readiness to prevent non-conformances and product recalls
• Quality, Launch Readiness & Collaboration: attention to detail throughout process with a clear understanding of the NPD Process from briefing to launch
• Strong cross-departmental implementation for final sign-off on product, processes and packaging to deliver a successful launch
• Ensure all products meet internal quality standards and client specifications prior to production in alignment with internal timelines for market readiness
• Operational Contribution & Growth Enablement: continually assess current product lines to recommend and redevelop where necessary
• Give valuable input to the project team through technical insight, troubleshooting, recommendations and follow-ups

INTRODUCTION
This position offers the opportunity to join a dedicated research team focused on agricultural innovation and plant breeding. The successful candidate will play a vital role in planning, executing, and monitoring crop trials while ensuring the integrity of research data to support high-performance crop varieties.

Location: Potchefstroom, North West
Salary: Market-related
Benefits: Provident Fund and Company Vehicle
Employment Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

REQUIREMENTS

Two to five years of relevant experience
Fully bilingual in Afrikaans and English (read, write, and speak) non-negotiable
Agricultural Degree or related qualification
Valid drivers license (non-negotiable)
Excellent computer skills, specifically in Microsoft Excel
Strong communication and organizational skills
High level of self-motivation and a fine eye for detail
Practical and technical mindset
Willingness to travel and work overtime or weekends during peak seasons
Ability to work effectively both alone and within a team

RESPONSIBILITIES

Plan and outline statistical trials for Sunflower, Soybean, Sorghum, and Maize
Plant, monitor, and harvest trials according to company protocol
Collect and manage research and marketing trial data
Ensure the accuracy and quality of all captured data
Support Marketing Managers during planting and harvesting of marketing trials
Actively participate in farmer days and demonstration plantings
Assist with the general planning and execution of various crop trials

• Design and develop robust clinical trial protocols in alignment with therapeutic area strategies and regulatory guidelines.
• Oversee the operational aspects of clinical trials, ensuring compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and all applicable regulations.
• Analyze and interpret complex clinical data, generating comprehensive reports and summaries for internal stakeholders and regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams (e.g., biostatistics, data management, regulatory affairs) and external partners (e.g., CROs, investigators) to ensure efficient trial execution.
• Contribute to the scientific and strategic direction of drug development programs.
• Prepare scientific presentations and publications for conferences and peer-reviewed journals.
• Provide scientific expertise and guidance to project teams throughout the drug development lifecycle.

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. or Pharm.D.) in a life science, pharmacology, or related field is required.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in clinical research within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven track record in designing, executing, and managing clinical trials, preferably in areas such as oncology, immunology, or cardiovascular disease.
• Strong understanding of regulatory affairs and compliance requirements (FDA, EMA, ICH GCP).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific information clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects effectively in a remote setting.
• Proficiency in clinical trial management systems and data analysis software is a plus.

• Competitive annual salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.
• Professional development opportunities and support for continuing education.
• Fully remote work environment with flexible working hours.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research and development projects.

• Design, develop, and implement computational tools and algorithms for drug discovery, including virtual screening, molecular modeling, and property prediction.
• Apply machine learning techniques to large chemical and biological datasets to identify potential drug targets and lead compounds.
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists and biologists to guide experimental design and interpret results.
• Develop and maintain robust cheminformatics databases and workflows.
• Contribute to the generation of scientific publications and presentations.
• Work effectively in a remote, asynchronous team environment, leveraging collaboration tools.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in computational chemistry, machine learning, and AI in drug discovery.
• Mentor junior computational scientists and contribute to the team's technical growth.

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in computational drug discovery.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, with experience in scientific libraries (e.g., RDKit, SciPy, NumPy).
• Expertise in molecular modeling techniques (e.g., docking, molecular dynamics) and structure-based drug design.
• Demonstrated experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn) applied to chemical data.
• Familiarity with cheminformatics toolkits and databases.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with proven ability to work effectively in a remote setting.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for innovation in drug discovery.

• Develop and implement comprehensive clinical trial protocols and management plans.
• Select, train, and monitor clinical investigators and site staff to ensure compliance with protocols and GCP.
• Manage trial budgets, track expenses, and ensure timely delivery of project milestones.
• Oversee the collection, data management, and quality assurance of trial information.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities, ethics committees, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with clinical trial execution.
• Prepare clinical study reports and contribute to regulatory submissions.
• Foster strong relationships with clinical sites and external partners.
• Ensure all trial activities are conducted ethically and in accordance with international standards.

• Bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, or related field; Master's degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in clinical trial management within the pharmaceutical industry or a Contract Research Organization (CRO).
• In-depth knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines, clinical trial methodologies, and regulatory requirements in South Africa and internationally.
• Proven experience in managing multiple clinical trials simultaneously.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Proficiency in clinical trial management software and electronic data capture (EDC) systems.
• Ability to travel as required for site visits and meetings.

• Lead the research and development of new FMCG products from concept ideation through to commercialization.
• Develop innovative product formulations and prototypes, optimizing for performance, cost, and consumer appeal.
• Conduct laboratory experiments, analyze results, and document findings meticulously in technical reports.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to understand consumer needs and translate them into product development briefs.
• Work closely with regulatory affairs to ensure all product formulations comply with local and international standards.
• Support pilot plant and full-scale manufacturing trials, troubleshooting any process or formulation issues.
• Conduct shelf-life studies and stability testing to ensure product quality and integrity.
• Stay abreast of scientific advancements, new ingredients, and emerging technologies relevant to product development.
• Evaluate raw materials and potential suppliers to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of existing product lines.

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline. A Ph.D. is a strong asset.
• Minimum of 4-6 years of hands-on experience in product development within the FMCG sector, with a focus on formulation science.
• Proven track record of successfully launching new consumer products.
• Strong understanding of formulation principles, ingredient interactions, and manufacturing processes relevant to FMCG products.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques and analytical instrumentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in a remote setting.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance and quality assurance standards in the food or consumer goods industry.
• A proactive and creative approach to product innovation.

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Allowance for home office equipment and professional development resources.
• Flexible working hours and the autonomy of a remote role.
• Opportunity to work with a respected company and contribute to innovative products.
• Access to online learning platforms and virtual conferences.
• A supportive and collaborative remote team environment.

• Design and synthesize novel polymers with specific, tailored properties (e.g., mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical).
• Develop and optimize polymerization processes, including emulsion, solution, bulk, and condensation polymerization.
• Characterize the molecular weight, architecture, morphology, and thermal properties of synthesized polymers using techniques such as GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, and rheometry.
• Evaluate the performance of new polymer formulations in target applications through rigorous testing and analysis.
• Collaborate with engineers and product development teams to translate laboratory discoveries into commercially viable materials.
• Investigate structure-property relationships to guide material design and optimization.
• Troubleshoot and resolve material-related issues in manufacturing and product performance.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in polymer science and engineering through literature review and conference participation.
• Contribute to patent applications and scientific publications.

• Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Organic Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in polymer synthesis, characterization, and application development.
• Extensive hands-on experience with various polymerization techniques and polymer characterization methods.
• Strong theoretical understanding of polymer physics, organic chemistry, and materials science principles.
• Proven ability to design and execute complex research projects.
• Experience with polymer processing techniques (e.g., extrusion, injection molding) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for reporting and collaboration.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.