A four-year post-doctoral research fellowship is open for specialists in plant virology, biotechnology and plant pathology. The Agricultural Research Council is seeking a researcher with strong proteomics experience to work on plant-virus interactions, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, maize mutant screening and scientific publication.
The Agricultural Research Council is inviting applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Plant Virology. This is a four-year fixed-term contract within ARC-Plant Health and Protection, with one position available under reference number PHP0656.
Applications close on 13 May 2026.
The fellowship is based at Roodeplaat, Pretoria, and is aimed at a highly skilled researcher with a PhD in Plant Biotechnology or Plant Pathology.
This opportunity is especially relevant for candidates with mandatory experience in proteomics and research interests in plant-virus interactions, molecular analysis and gene editing.
This is a specialist research opportunity for candidates ready to contribute to advanced plant health science.
What Is The ARC Plant Virology Post-Doctoral Fellowship?
The ARC Plant Virology Post-Doctoral Fellowship is a research-focused position within ARC-Plant Health and Protection.
The fellowship will support plant virology research, including protein-protein interaction studies, molecular analysis and maize mutant screening.
The successful candidate will also contribute to student support, publications and scientific congress presentations.
This makes the role suitable for a researcher who can balance laboratory work, academic output and mentorship.
Where Is The Fellowship Based?
The fellowship is based at:
Roodeplaat, Pretoria
The position sits within the ARC-Plant Health and Protection environment.
Applicants should consider the location and research setting before applying, especially because this is a fixed-term appointment over four years.
What Is The Contract Duration?
The appointment is offered as a:
Four-year fixed-term contract
This longer contract period gives the successful fellow time to contribute meaningfully to research outputs, student supervision support and scientific publication.
It also allows for deeper involvement in plant virology and biotechnology research projects.
What Will The Post-Doctoral Fellow Do?
The appointed fellow will conduct advanced research activities linked to plant-virus interactions and maize resistance.
Core duties include conducting yeast two-hybrid assays to study plant-virus protein-protein interactions.
The fellow will also generate maize mutants using T-DNA vector-based CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.
In addition, the role includes molecular analysis of target genes using PCR, Sanger sequencing and high-throughput sequencing.
What Are The Main Responsibilities?
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Conduct yeast two-hybrid assays
- Study plant-virus protein-protein interactions
- Generate maize mutants using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing
- Conduct molecular analysis of target genes
- Use PCR, Sanger sequencing and high-throughput sequencing
- Screen maize mutants for virus resistance
- Support MSc and PhD students
- Publish in reputable scientific journals
- Present research at scientific congresses
These duties require strong technical expertise, research discipline and the ability to work in a high-level scientific environment.
What Qualification Is Required?
Applicants must have a:
PhD in Plant Biotechnology or Plant Pathology
This qualification is essential because the fellowship involves advanced research in plant virology, molecular biology and biotechnology.
Applicants with foreign qualifications must attach a SAQA evaluation report.
What Experience Is Required?
The advert states that experience in proteomics is mandatory.
This is one of the most important requirements.
Applicants must also have a proven record of publishing scientific papers.
Experience in plant transformation and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing is desirable.
Proteomics experience should be clearly visible on the CV and research record.
What Experience Will Strengthen An Application?
Applicants may strengthen their application by highlighting experience in:
- Proteomics
- Plant virology
- Plant biotechnology
- Plant pathology
- Molecular biology
- Yeast two-hybrid assays
- PCR
- Sanger sequencing
- High-throughput sequencing
- CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing
- Plant transformation
- Maize research
- Scientific publishing
- Student mentorship
The CV should also show research outputs, journal publications and conference presentations clearly.
What Documents Are Required?
Applications must include the required supporting documents.
Applicants must attach:
- Covering letter
- Detailed CV
- At least three recent contactable referees
- Certified copies of certificates
- Supporting documents
- Copy of driver’s licence
- SAQA evaluation report, if qualifications are foreign
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicants should check every attachment before submitting.
How Do You Apply For The ARC Post-Doctoral Fellowship?
Applications must be submitted online.
Applications must be submitted through the official ARC online application portal.
Applicants should use reference number:
PHP0656
Before submitting, make sure the covering letter, CV, certified documents, referees and driver’s licence copy are attached correctly.
When Is The Closing Date?
Applications close on:
13 May 2026
Applicants should submit before the deadline.
Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Who Can Applicants Contact For Enquiries?
For enquiries, applicants can contact:
Dr Tendekai Mahlanza
Email: mahlanzat@arc.agric.za
Applicants should use professional email wording and include the reference number when making enquiries.
What Should Applicants Know Before Applying?
The appointment will be subject to a positive security clearance.
Competency and leadership assessments may also apply.
Preference will be given to designated groups in line with the ARC Employment Equity Plan.
The Agricultural Research Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principles and processes of the Employment Equity Act.
Applicants who do not receive a response within four weeks after the closing date should regard their applications as unsuccessful.
How Can Applicants Strengthen Their Application?
A strong application should show research depth, technical experience and publication output.
The covering letter should not be generic.
It should connect the applicant’s PhD research, proteomics experience and plant virology or molecular biology background to the fellowship duties.
Applicants should also make their scientific publications easy to find on the CV.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: For a post-doctoral fellowship, your CV should read like a research profile, not a basic employment CV. Place your PhD title, research methods, proteomics experience, publications, conference presentations and technical laboratory skills near the top. The panel should see your research fit within seconds.
Why Is This Fellowship Worth Considering?
This fellowship offers advanced research exposure within one of South Africa’s key agricultural science institutions.
The successful fellow will work on plant-virus interactions, maize mutant development and molecular screening for virus resistance.
The role also includes student support, publication expectations and scientific presentation opportunities.
For researchers in plant biotechnology, plant pathology and virology, this four-year contract can support a strong academic and scientific career path.
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Final Thoughts
The ARC Plant Virology Post-Doctoral Fellowship 2026 is a specialist four-year fixed-term research contract for candidates with a PhD in Plant Biotechnology or Plant Pathology.
Applicants must have mandatory proteomics experience, a proven scientific publication record and strong molecular research skills.
Applications close on 13 May 2026, and candidates must submit a complete online application through the official ARC portal using reference number PHP0656.
