MSc bursary: Scientific Authority

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is responsible for the logistical and administrative functions of the Scientific Authority (see https://www.sanbi.org/biodiversity/science-into-policy-action/science-authority/), and also provides technical support for its proper functioning.  The Scientific Authority was established in terms of Section 60 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act of 2004 (NEMBA) to assist government with regulating the trade in specimens of threatened or protected species (TOPS) and species included in the Appendices to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

SANBI is offering an MSc bursary to an enthusiastic student with strong conservation interests to undertake a research project to generate information required for the making of non-detriment findings by the Scientific Authority for one of the CITES-listed plant species below.

• Aloe peglerae
• Euphorbia flanaganii
• Euphorbia groenewaldii
• Euphorbia obesa
• Euphorbia stellata
• Stangeria eriopus

The successful applicant will be expected to identify an appropriate supervisor at a South African university and then register with the university before the end of March 2023.  SANBI will provide a co-supervisor and will cover operational costs of the project.

Duration:  April 2023 – April 2025

Bursary value:  R 150 000 p.a. for two years (to cover university fees and living expenses)

Application procedure:  The attached application cover sheet should be completed and submitted together with all the required documents (listed on the sheet) to students@sanbi.org.za  and students.sanbi@gmail.com Subject: Scientific Authority MSc bursary (priority plant project).

The applicant must motivate in his/her letter of interest why SANBI should award the bursary to him/her.  The closing date for applications is 22 March 2023 (09:00).

For further details regarding the project please contact:

Tasneem Variawa (SANBI)
Tel.:  +27 (0)12 843 5188
E-mail:  T.variawa@sanbi.org.za

SANBI reserves the right not to fill this bursary. If no response has been received within 30 days of the closing date, candidates may assume that their applications were unsuccessful.