KZN Agriculture Candidate Scientific Technician Vacancies: Crop, Livestock and Resource Research
The KZN Scientific Technician vacancies at Cedara cover three candidate-level routes: crop research, livestock research and resource management. Each is a three-year contract. Applicants must match the route’s diploma requirements and hold the specified SACNASP candidate registration and driver’s licence. The closing date is 30 October 2026.
KZN Scientific Technician: key details
- Employer: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
- Location or access: Cedara Research Station
- Reference: SSC46/2026 — crop research; SSC47/2026 — livestock research; SSC48/2026 — resource management
- Contract: Three-year fixed-term
- Posts: 3
- Annual salary: R352,299 for each post
- Closing date: 30 October 2026
Eligibility and requirements
- NQF Level 6 Diploma in Plant or Crop Production for crop research or resource management
- NQF Level 6 Diploma in Animal Production for livestock research
- Compulsory SACNASP registration as a Candidate Certificated Natural Scientist
- Valid driver’s licence
- No experience required; research, scientific-method and computing knowledge expected
What the role involves
- Assist with scientific methods, policies and procedures
- Support technical advice and research work
- Develop and maintain databases and assist with analysis
- Undertake related administration and reporting
KZN Scientific Technician: application or access steps
- Use the KZN online recruitment portal and the correct reference.
- Manual applications require the new fully completed, signed and initialled Z83 and comprehensive CV.
- SSC-reference applications may be hand-delivered or couriered to 4 Pin Oak Avenue, Hilton, 3245.
- No emailed or late applications. Certified supporting documents are requested from shortlisted candidates.
- Interviews are at the applicant’s own cost; a contract does not guarantee a subsequent permanent post.
Prepare carefully
Choose the research route that matches your diploma and use its exact reference. A plant or crop qualification is not interchangeable with the animal-production requirement for livestock research. State your SACNASP registration accurately and prepare clear examples of data recording, practical investigations or scientific report writing from your studies.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee shortlisting. Selection remains subject to the department’s checks and employment-equity process. Read the complete advert before submitting, and keep a copy of your application and any confirmation.
Three routes, with different subject requirements
The crop-research post is reference SSC 46/2026, livestock research is SSC 47/2026 and resource management is SSC 48/2026. Crop research and resource management require the specified Plant or Crop Production diploma, while livestock research requires Animal Production. A single general science qualification should not be assumed to satisfy every route.
The KZN Scientific Technician duties combine scientific-method support with practical research administration. Appointees will assist with methods, procedures, technical advice and research; maintain or develop databases; and contribute to analysis and reports. Computer literacy and understanding of scientific work are therefore relevant even though prior experience is not required.
Professional registration is a separate condition
KZN Scientific Technician registration is required with SACNASP as a Candidate Certificated Natural Scientist. It is not ECSA registration, and the advert does not say that applying for these jobs automatically supplies or substitutes for the professional registration.
All three KZN Scientific Technician posts are three-year contracts at Cedara Research. Use the correct SSC reference when applying online or delivering a manual application to the Hilton address. As with the department’s other listed posts, late or emailed applications are not accepted, and applicants pay their own interview-attendance costs.
Practical preparation checklist
Match your subject background to the individual reference before preparing the form. For a research example, briefly explain what was investigated, how information was recorded and your own contribution to analysis or reporting. Do not claim to have designed a whole study if you supported only one part. This is advice on presenting genuine learning, not an extra research proposal requirement. The department’s diploma, registration and licence criteria remain the deciding entry conditions.
Questions about KZN Scientific Technician
Are there three identical posts?
No. The three routes cover crop research, livestock research and resource management, with separate references and subject requirements.
What professional registration is needed?
SACNASP registration as a Candidate Certificated Natural Scientist is compulsory.
Do I need previous employment experience?
The advert says no experience is required, alongside the specified diploma, registration, licence and knowledge requirements.
What are the salary and closing date?
R352,299 annually for each post. Applications close on 30 October 2026.
Official source
KZN Scientific Technician: official information. Information checked on 22 October 2026. Recheck the source before applying, as opportunities and service requirements can change.
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