ICFR News
Meet Dr Mesfin Gossa – Senior Scientist Forest Protection team
ICFR are excited to welcome Senior Scientist Dr Mesfin Gossa to their Forest Protection team.
Mesfin will work closely with Dr Benice Sivparsad until the end of the year for the remainder of her time at the ICFR to ensure continuity in the program and ongoing projects. Mesfin is a passionate forest entomologist who combines excellent field and laboratory research experience with a broad interest in forestry in sub-Saharan Africa. He comes to the ICFR from FABI, where he collaborated with the ICFR on postgraduate student projects and the Ethiopian project.
Prof Ilaria Germishuizen – She Is Forestry SA Award Winner
Congratulations Prof Ilaria Germishuizen, winner of the annual She Is Forestry SA: Resounding Contribution to Forestry Science and Research Award. Nominated by three separate organisations, all recognising Ilaria’s valuable contribution to the South African forestry sector as a pioneer in her field. They also commended Ilaria on her role as a mentor in the selfless development of others in the industry and her willingness to forge collaborative partnerships, both locally and internationally, for the benefit of the sector.
Congratulations Enos Ngubo
2024 has been a great year for Enos Ngubo, who was awarded his BTech (Agricultural Management) degree earlier this year, after a long journey of studies with the ICFR through both the diploma and BTech programs. Then in July he successfully moved to the next level in the ICFR technical job family, promoted to Technician from Senior Technical Assistant.
From everyone at the ICFR, congratulations Enos on these incredible achievements, your perseverance to your studies and dedication to your role at the ICFR has not gone unnoticed.
Dr B Sivparsad, Senior Scientist (Forest Protection) to take on new position at UKZN from December
It is with regret that I inform you of Dr Benice Sivparsad’s resignation from her role of Senior Scientist in the ICFR’s Forest Protection Program, effective 31 December 2024.
Benice has been with the ICFR since September 2016 and has been instrumental in growing the forest protection research program. She is a wonderful mentor to students and interns and has actively pursued collaborative project work with various academic and industry partners, increasing stakeholder value from projects. It has been a privilege and a pleasure working with Benice and it is with much sadness that we will say farewell to her at the end of the year.
We wish her all the very best in her future position at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) as a Senior Lecturer (Plant Pathology) in the School of Agriculture, Earth, and Environmental Sciences and are pleased that her changed role provides renewed opportunities to work together and to strengthen collaborations with UKZN.
Replacement recruitment plans will be initiated immediately and Benice will collaborate closely with her successor for a few months to ensure a smooth handover and to maintain continuity in the program and ongoing projects.
Direct communications with stakeholders will also take place immediately to confirm transition and contact arrangements.
Contact Dr Ilaria Germishuizen (Ilaria.germishuizen@icfr.ukzn.ac.za) in the meantime with any queries.
Forest Protection Research Assistant
The Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) is a non-profit organisation that provides innovative research solutions and related services to support tree growers in southern Africa. ICFR’s Forest Protection research program includes a suite of projects aimed at minimising the risk to tree plantations from biotic and abiotic factors.
The ICFR is seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join our dynamic Forest Protection team. This is a one-year contract position, supporting projects in the Forest Protection research portfolio, with a focus on pest and disease impact studies in forestry crops. The incumbent will be required to work closely with the Forest Protection Research project leader at the ICFR. The position involves significant fieldwork in plantation forests and nursery environments. This is a great opportunity for a young graduate to acquire research experience in applied forest entomology and pathology.
Key responsibilities:
- Assist in field research on plantation forest pests and diseases, including preparation, trial implementation, data collection, and management.
- Conduct laboratory-based work as required.
- Support the team in data analysis, and preparing research reports, presentations, and publications.
Qualifications and Experience:
- A MSc (preferred) or BSc (Hons) in Entomology, Plant Pathology, or a related field.
- Strong aptitude for field work, including setting up and maintaining experiments in plantation forests and nurseries
- Interest in pest and disease impact studies.
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Valid, unendorsed driver’s license (code 08 or 10).
Application process:
Applications and enquiries are to be emailed to Mrs Karin Nagel (karin.nagel@icfr.ukzn.ac.za), by the closing date: 1 November 2024. The proposed appointment date is 1 January 2025. Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- A completed ‘ICFR Application for Employment Form.’
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV) with contact details for a minimum of two referees, and certified copies of key supporting documentation (i.e., highest relevant qualification and identity document).
In applying for this position, applicants agree that the ICFR may verify all details recorded in the application and contact referees. ICFR confirms that the information received is processed according to its POPI policy and privacy statement, which is available on the ICFR website. By applying, the applicant consents to the ICFR processing personal information. Late applications will not be considered and ICFR reserves the right not to make an appointment to this advert. If a reply is not received by the proposed start date, the application may be considered unsuccessful.