There are three available at this time:

 

Postdoctoral Position in the Hans Merensky Chair in Avocado Research
We seek to hire an experienced postdoctoral research fellow to conduct whole-genome resequencing of South African Phytophthora cinnamomi isolates to assess pathogenicity and adaptive potential.
Click here for more information about eligibility and how to apply.

MSc Position in the Hans Merensky Chair in Avocado Research
We seek a BSc Hons graduate to register full-time at the University of Pretoria in 2026. The project will focus on assessing the virulence of Phytophthora cinnamomi isolates.
Click here for more information about eligibility and how to apply.

MSc Position in the Hans Merensky Chair in Avocado Research
We seek a BSc Hons graduate to register full-time at the University of Pretoria in 2026. The project will investigating the role of Nectriaceae fungi in avocado root rot.
Click here for more information about eligibility and how to apply.

New Publications

Joubert M, van den Berg N, Theron J, Swart V. (2026) Leaf bleaching is associated with extensive transcriptional reprogramming in avocado trees with sunblotch disease. Virology 620:110903. 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110903 PDF
Joubert M, van den Berg N, Theron J, Swart V. (2025) Small RNAs derived from avocado sunblotch viroid and their association with bleaching symptoms: implications for pathogenesis in avocado sunblotch disease. Archives of Virology 170(10):205. 10.1007/s00705-025-06360-z PDF
Prabhu AS, Naicker P, Duong TA, Govender IS, Engelbrecht J, Backer R, Stoychev SH, van den Berg N. (2025) Phosphite inhibits Phytophthora cinnamomi by downregulating oxidoreductases and disrupting energy metabolism. Frontiers in Microbiology 16:1632726. 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1632726
Magagula P, Swart V, Fourie A, Vermeulen A, Nelson JH, van Rooyen Z, van den Berg N. (2025) Avocado rhizosphere community profiling: white root rot and its impact on microbial composition. Frontiers in Microbiology 16 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1583797
van den Berg N, Magagula P, Backer R, Swart V. (2025) Towards developing an integrated approach for the treatment of white root rot in commercial avocado orchards. Phytoparasitica 53(32) 10.1007/s12600-025-01250-1 PDF