A vacancy currently exists for a Scientist: Vegetation Ecology position. Research in the Garden Route and Frontier national parks to deliver the biodiversity management mandate for SANParks through generating, leveraging and sharing high-quality scientific knowledge, mentoring the next generation of researchers, and ensuring that the research-derived evidence base and findings influence policy and management practice. This position will specifically focus on the range of vegetation dynamics and ecological research across the ecosystems in the Garden Route and Frontier national parks (including indigenous forests, fynbos, thicket and karooid vegetation types). The position will report to the Senior Scientist; Garden Route, Frontier and Marine Node and will be based at Garden Route National Park (either Knysna, Rondevlei or George locations). It is a full-time position.

Location

Garden Route National Park

Requirements

• NQF Level 9 or equivalent in Botany / Biology/ Environmental studies/ Ecology
• At least 3-6 years as practicing Scientist in a relevant research/science-related environment
• A portfolio of at least 6 peer-reviewed papers published
• At least 1 paper published in rated scientific journals as first author
• Demonstrated ability and experience working as independent scientist, conceptualizing and implementing ecological research and monitoring programmes
• Track record of scientific collaboration with diverse research partners
• Highly articulate with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate ecological complexities as well as research findings to diverse audiences, including for informed decision-making

ADDED ADVANTAGE:

• PhD
• 6-10 years working actively as scientist in a science environment
• >10 papers published in rated journals

Responsibilities

1.     KNOWLEDGE GENERATION THROUGH SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND MONITORING

• Plan and conduct key research projects in the Garden Route & Frontier region (Addo, Karoo, Mountain Zebra and Camdeboo) national parks
• Leverage and coordinate external research, including through partnerships and collaborations, to address key vegetation ecology knowledge needs
• Review and coordinate research permit applications
• Where appropriate, participate in national and/or international research initiatives or consortia
• Plan and conduct plant/vegetation monitoring, including inter alia species of concern, red list plants, and veld condition assessments
• Monitoring vegetation ecosystem change / impacts, which also includes aspects related to fire, alien-vegetation and climate change-related monitoring
• Maintain plant species lists (biodiversity inventories) for Garden Route & Frontier national parks
• Publish original scientific research in relevant scientific journals

2.     KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION AND SCIENCE-BASED COMMUNICATION

• Lead and contribute to public communication of science undertaken through various media (e.g.

blogs, reports, webinars, popular articles, comment on press releases, interviews, annual reports).

• Promote science in society
• Input to and/or participate in environmental awareness initiatives as appropriate
• Contribute to knowledge harvesting and reflection meetings and processes (internal but may also include externally led initiatives)
• Collaborate with relevant scientific institutions and various stakeholders

3.      SCIENCE-MANAGEMENT ENGAGEMENT IN SUPPORT OF DECISION-MAKING

• Provide relevant and expert input to mid-term review and/or revision of park management plans and Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) assessments
• Contribute to conservation-oriented science-management engagements and where appropriate respond to new and emerging management knowledge needs and/or decision-making
• Where appropriate input to alien invasive plant management and ecological fire management planning
• Where appropriate and in area of expertise, comment on Environmental Impact Assessments

(EIAs), policies, and/or other internal or national documents of importance

4.     SCIENCE LEADERSHIP IN VEGETATION ECOLOGY, ONGOING GROWTH AND CONSTITUENCY BUILDING

• Representation on national/international advisory or working groups
• Present and attend at scientific conferences, forums, symposia
• Student supervision; peer-review
• Keep abreast with scientific developments and literature in field of expertise

5.     GENERAL ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE

• Supervision of biotechnicians
• Mentorship of junior staff where appropriate
• Management of budget and assets allocated to position
• Oversight of Garden Route National Park Herbarium

6.     ATTRIBUTES AND QUALITIES

• Capable of initiating new research programmes and collaborations with external scientists in field of vegetation ecology
• Time and project management – ability to trade-off various time commitments and deliver on range of outputs and outcomes (research, publishing, communicating, etc.)
• Problem-solving and adaptability – staying abreast and contributing to growth of field of research and in response to changing organisational needs
• Initiative and self-motivation – highly self-driven, finds reward in the joy of research, its communication and integrating with management
• Able to function within a dynamic environment which includes professional, intellectual and operational colleagues within and outside the organisation
• Able to conceptualize new research ideas and projects and execute these
• Able to analyze and package data and findings into various forms to communicate with various audiences (academic, organisational, stakeholders)
• Strong analytical and statistical abilities, analyzing diverse forms of written and/or verbal information
• Interrogating data, literature or other information for useful content and/or evidence for park-based knowledge needs
• Co-ordination of diverse monitoring and research activities in the team, assisting with defining work priorities to meet organisational needs and SANParks’ research needs and/or objectives
• Strong logical and/or sequential planning ability for research and monitoring events or tasks
• Ease and confidence in addressing a science, management, and/or science-management gathering or audience
• Ability to liaise with senior and professional colleagues within and external to the organisation, building trust and achieving co-operation from peers, colleagues and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Ability to advise on operational-level decisions after thorough evaluation of a body of evidence, including drawing on experience to make sense of information and turn this into meaningful and situation-specific applied knowledge; deciding on a course of action related to research and/or its implications on own initiative where appropriate and/or in conjunction with others
• A strong social-ecological and systems approach towards problem solving
• Comfortable with adaptive management principles and uncertainty

Please Note

SANParks is an equal opportunity employer and reserves the right not to make an appointment. Preference will be given to qualifying candidates with disabilities

Paterson Grade

D3

How To Apply

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should forward their applications accompanied by the required documentation listed below to the following:

Documents Required

Interested persons who meet the above qualifications should forward their applications which should consist of a covering letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae, certified copies of qualification(s) and Identity

Document (certified with the past 3 months) to [email protected]

Applicants in possession of foreign qualifications to submit evaluated results by the South African Qualification Authority.

APPLICATION WILL ONLY BE COMPLETED WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE BELOW

STEPS  

1. COMPLETE THE LINK BELOW

Link : SCIENTIST: VEGETATION ECOLOGY – Fill out form

2. SUBMIT CV

accompanied by a Cover letter, CV, Certified copies of ID, Driver’s License, and relevant qualifications to:

[email protected]

Closing Date

09 November 2026