Bursary Opportunity for MSc Candidate
Closing Date - 31 January 2025
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
The Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) in collaboration with the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) is looking for an enthusiastic Master’s student for an exciting project that will contribute knowledge towards the development of eucalypt hybrid clones which are essential for productive eucalypt plantations grown for pulp and timber.
The MSc. study will focus on improving hybridisation techniques to optimise and accelerate the development of eucalypt hybrids with these main objectives:
– Synthesizing existing information and data: Evaluating records from the hybrid development programme to assess the efficiency of current practices and identify challenges in hybridising eucalypt species.
– Crossing different eucalypt species: Using both traditional and novel techniques to compare their effectiveness, identify bottlenecks, and ultimately enhance existing protocols.
The MSc study will be supervised by Prof Hussein Shimelis (UKZN) and Nuveshen Naidoo (ICFR).
Required qualifications:
– Honours degree (or equivalent) in Crop Sciences, Genetics, Forestry, or a related field.
– Demonstrated analytical / statistical abilities and strong writing skills.
– A strong academic background, good communication skills, and the ability to work independently are highly desirable.
Location:
The successful candidate will be based at the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) in Pietermaritzburg, and registered at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
Compensation:
A full scholarship is offered for two years.
Application Process:
Email the following documents to Nuveshen Naidoo (nuveshen.naidoo@icfr.ukzn.ac.za) and Dr Ilaria Germishuizen (ilaria.germishuizen@icfr.ukzn.ac.za):
– A cover letter outlining your research interests
– A CV including your academic transcripts (tertiary only) and contact information for three references.
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The deadline for applications is 31 January 2025. The applicant will be expected to start in February 2025.