Research Officer-Sugar Technologist job at National Agricultural Research Organisation

Background information about the job or company:

To support the planning, execution, and monitoring of sugarcane research activities, including laboratory analyses, field trials, data management, and technology dissemination.

Responsibilities or duties:

• Assist in the design, establishment, and management of sugarcane field trials, including planting, treatment application, and data collection.
• Support laboratory-based research activities such as plant tissue culture, molecular diagnostics, soil and plant analysis, and disease/pest screening.
• Maintain experimental protocols, ensure quality control, and adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Operate and maintain research equipment, machinery, and specialized instruments for sugarcane research.
• Conducts chemical and physical analysis of sugar, sugarcane and its byproducts
• Conduct research on sugar waste management
• Work closely with other disciplines in advancing sugar research
• Collect, record, and verify research data from field and laboratory experiments.
• Provide hands-on training to students, interns, and junior technicians involved in sugarcane research.
• Conduct training to sugar value chain actors and students
• Liaise with sugar companies, farmer associations, universities, and research institutions to support collaborative research.
• Ensure proper maintenance and calibration of laboratory and field equipment.
• Observe safety, ethical, and environmental standards in research operations.

Qualifications or requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Plant Science, Biotechnology, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, or related field plus a Master’s degree in any of the above fields.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in crop research, preferably in sugarcane or other industrial crops.
• Practical experience in field trial management, plant tissue culture, molecular diagnostics, or soil/plant analysis.
• Strong data management and statistical analysis skills.
• Familiarity with extension, technology dissemination, and stakeholder
• Proven record of publications in referred journals is an added advantage.
• Possession of a PhD is an added advantage.

Experience needed:

At least 3 years of relevant experience in crop research, preferably in sugarcane or other industrial crops.

• Assist in the design, establishment, and management of sugarcane field trials, including planting, treatment application, and data collection.
• Support laboratory-based research activities such as plant tissue culture, molecular diagnostics, soil and plant analysis, and disease/pest screening.
• Maintain experimental protocols, ensure quality control, and adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Operate and maintain research equipment, machinery, and specialized instruments for sugarcane research.
• Conducts chemical and physical analysis of sugar, sugarcane and its byproducts
• Conduct research on sugar waste management
• Work closely with other disciplines in advancing sugar research
• Collect, record, and verify research data from field and laboratory experiments.
• Provide hands-on training to students, interns, and junior technicians involved in sugarcane research.
• Conduct training to sugar value chain actors and students
• Liaise with sugar companies, farmer associations, universities, and research institutions to support collaborative research.
• Ensure proper maintenance and calibration of laboratory and field equipment.
• Observe safety, ethical, and environmental standards in research operations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Plant Science, Biotechnology, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, or related field plus a Master’s degree in any of the above fields.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in crop research, preferably in sugarcane or other industrial crops.
• Practical experience in field trial management, plant tissue culture, molecular diagnostics, or soil/plant analysis.
• Strong data management and statistical analysis skills.
• Familiarity with extension, technology dissemination, and stakeholder
• Proven record of publications in referred journals is an added advantage.
• Possession of a PhD is an added advantage.