Lecturer/Junior Lecturer: Vegetable Production or Greenhouse Management

Job Details

• Expires 30 June 0 days left to apply

• Reference number: AW01/127/0625
• Province: Western Cape
• Type of engagement: Permanent appointment
• Posted: June 13th

Background to Position

Lecturer/Junior Lecturer: Vegetable Production or Greenhouse Management

Faculty of AgriSciences

Department of Agronomy

(Three-year fixed-term contract)

(Stellenbosch Campus)

Ref. AW01/127/0625

The Department of Agronomy in the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University (SU) is a recognised leader in the advancement of sustainable crop systems in South Africa. Our work spans cereal and oilseed crops, pastures, vegetables, hydroponics, and protected cropping, with strong links to commercial producers and research networks. We are seeking an academic to contribute to our teaching and research in vegetable production systems, with a strong emphasis on greenhouse and hydroponic cultivation.

Job Description

Duties: 

• Conducting and publishing high-quality research on hydroponic, greenhouse, and field-based vegetable production systems. 
• Leading undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in vegetable physiology, crop management, and protected cropping systems.  
• Developing and evaluating innovative, industry-current curricula and teaching materials. 
• Securing external research funding and managing projects to support hydroponic, greenhouse and vegetable systems research.
• Supervising postgraduate students.
• Establishing and maintaining national and international research and industry partnerships.
• Contributing to departmental administration and Faculty-level committees.
• Supporting transformation, community engagement, and industry outreach.

Inherent Criteria

Requirements:

• MSc (for the appointment of junior lecturer), or a PhD (for the appointment of lecturer) in agronomy or a crop science-related field linked to vegetable production.
• Demonstrated expertise in commercial vegetable production systems, including hydroponic and greenhouse technologies.
• A record of peer-reviewed research publications commensurate with the level of appointment.
• Willingness and the ability to supervise postgraduate students.
• The ability to attract and mange external research funding.
• Communication and digital skills for modern teaching, learning, and research. 
• Willingness and the ability to obtain industry-related, applied research funding.

Recommendations:

• NRF rating or equivalent research recognition. 
• National and or international recognition within the field or discipline.
• Proficiency in data analysis and statistics for agricultural research.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in diverse academic and industry teams.

Application Requirement

Commencement of duties: 

01 August 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter 

Closing date: 

30 June 2025

Enquiries regarding this post: Prof Pieter Swanepoel on 021 808 4668, or at pieterswanepoel@sun.ac.za 

Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits, as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch) / 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at sun-e-hr@sun.ac.za

Stellenbosch University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the EE plan for the specific environment as well as the institutional EE Plan of the University.

Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and email addresses of at least three referees), must reach the University before or on the closing date of the advertised post. 

The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.

Should no feedback be received from the University within four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application did not succeed.

About Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University (SU) is home to an academic community of 29 000 students (including 4 000 foreign students from 100 countries) as well as 3 000 permanent staff members (including 1 000 academics) on five campuses. ​The historical oak-lined university town amongst the Boland Mountains in the winelands of the Western Cape creates a unique campus atmosphere, which attracts local and foreign students alike. On the main campus, paved walkways wind between campus buildings – some dating from previous centuries; others just a few years old. Architecture from various eras attests to the sound academic foundation and establishment of an institution of excellence. This, together with the scenic beauty of the area; state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facilities and technology, as well as visionary thinking about the creation of a sustainable 21st-century institution, makes for the unique character of Stellenbosch University.