SASA MSc Plant Production Bursaries

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Original text: To promote innovation in South African sugarcane agriculture, the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) hosts a dynamic post-graduate programme on the SASRI campus in Mount Edgecombe, KwaZulu-Natal. The research is conducted under the supervision of SASRI scientists who are affiliated with several leading South African universities, including the University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Pretoria, and University of the Free State and Stellenbosch University.

Project Details

Harvest age (HA) is one of the most important management factors affecting productivity of sugarcane in South Africa. The recent release of new, faster growing sugarcane varieties, the availability of insecticides to control the eldana sugarcane borer (which increases in older sugarcane), and questions around the economics of different harvest ages, have led to uncertainty around the optimal HAs for the different regions. This project will involve data mining of experimental and production databases, crop model simulations of different HA options, and an economic analysis of available data, to determine the optimal HA for the three major production regions in the industry Guidelines will be developed to assist growers with HA decisions under different yield potential conditions.

The Candidate

The ideal candidate must hold a BSc Hons in Crop Production/Agronomy

This is a team-orientated project and the ability work within a team is essential.

NB: Applicants are advised to submit a one page motivation highlighting reasons for their interest in the research study they have selected, along with a full curriculum vitae.

This post-graduate bursary offers tuition fees and board and lodging on site at our Sugarcane Research Institute in Mount Edgecombe. The successful candidate will be based at SASRI (Mount Edgecombe) and will register with one of the South African Universities.

Althoughnot an essential requirement, candidates who are securing free-standing NRF funding are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please apply on-line via the job portal on the SASA website (http://www.sasa.org.za/careers/Vacancies)

Closing date for applications is 17 October 2016 SASA reserves the right to consider applications received after this date but will not be obliged to do so.

The ideal candidate will have the following competencies:

Ability

  • analyse and interpret scientific literature
  • present research and findings
  • work indepedently as well as in a team
  • enter data in relevant database/s
  • write in a scientific manner

Experience

  • conducting research

Knowledge

  • Honours level understanding and interpretation of content
  • laboratory and field work
About The Employer

The South African Sugar Association (SASA) provides a diverse range of highly specialised services to the South African sugar industry and our activities are funded in the main by the sugarcane growers and sugar milling companies. Our mission is to provide specialist services that enhance the profitability, global competitiveness and sustainability of the South African sugar industry.

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