The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) invites unemployed South African graduates to apply for the Biological Invasions Graduate Placement Programme 2026–2028.
Internship Application Closing Date: 21 August 2026
Internship Locations: Pretoria, Mbombela, Bloemfontein, Thohoyandou, East London, Cape Town and Durban, South Africa
SANBI Biological Invasions Graduate Placement Programme 2026–2028
SANBI is offering a 24-month workplace-based graduate training programme aimed at strengthening skills and professional capacity in biological invasions and related biodiversity work.
The programme runs from:
1 October 2026 to 30 September 2028
Successful graduates may gain workplace experience, professional development and technical mentorship while contributing to SANBI’s Biological Invasions programme.
No previous working experience is required.
Programme Overview
Organisation: South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
Programme: Biological Invasions Graduate Placement Programme 2026–2028
Duration: 24 months
Programme Period: 1 October 2026 – 30 September 2028
Experience Required: No previous working experience required
Monthly Stipend: R6,233 or R8,050 depending on placement
Citizenship: South African citizens
Closing Date: 21 August 2026
Application Method: Online
Funding: Programme funded through an agreement between SANBI and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Important Note on the Number of Opportunities
The supplied programme information describes the opportunity as an intake of approximately 30 graduate placements.
However, the individual placement numbers supplied in the detailed breakdown appear to total more than 30 when all separately listed research and risk-analysis posts are added together.
Applicants should therefore use the official SANBI application form as the final authority on the exact number of available placements and select only opportunities currently displayed there.
Fields of Study
Opportunities are available for graduates in fields including:
- Nature Conservation
- Horticulture
- Environmental Management
- Biodiversity-related studies
- Botany
- Ecology
- Zoology
- Environmental Science
- Biological Invasions
- Geographic Information Systems
- Communications
- Public Relations
- Marketing
- Business Administration
- Office Management
- Project Management
Different qualification levels apply to different placements.
Para-Ecologists – X16 Positions
Para-Ecologist opportunities require a:
National Diploma or Advanced Diploma
in areas such as:
- Nature Conservation
- Horticulture
- Environmental Management
- Biodiversity-related fields
Monthly Stipend: R6,233
Placements are listed at:
| Location | Posts |
|---|---|
| Free State National Botanical Garden, Bloemfontein | 2 |
| DBE Offices, Vincent, East London | 2 |
| Lowveld National Botanical Garden, Mbombela | 3 |
| Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden | 2 |
| Pretoria National Botanical Garden | 3 |
| Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town | 2 |
| KZN Herbarium, Durban | 2 |
Communications and Advocacy Placement
Location: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town
Number of Posts: 1
Stipend: R6,233 per month
Applicants need a National Diploma or Advanced Diploma in:
- Communications
- Public Relations
- Marketing
This placement is aimed at graduates interested in supporting communication and advocacy activities within a biodiversity environment.
Project Administration and Coordination Placement
Location: Pretoria National Botanical Garden
Number of Posts: 1
Stipend: R6,233 per month
Applicants should have a National Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in:
- Business Administration
- Office Management
- Project Management
- Related fields
Biological Invasions Research Placements
Several research placements are available for candidates with postgraduate qualifications.
Depending on the individual position, applicants require:
- Honours; or
- MSc
in fields such as:
- Biological Invasions
- Botany
- Ecology
- Zoology
- Environmental Science
- GIS
- Related disciplines
Monthly Stipend: R8,050
Research Placement Locations
The supplied information lists research opportunities at:
- East London
- Free State National Botanical Garden
- Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden
- Pretoria National Botanical Garden
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- KZN Herbarium in Durban
Some Pretoria opportunities specifically include GIS as an eligible field.
Applicants should carefully check whether a particular placement requires Honours or MSc, or specifically an MSc, before applying.
Risk Analysis of Biological Invasions
Location: KZN Herbarium, Durban
Number of Positions: 2
Stipend: R8,050 per month
The supplied requirements specifically state:
MSc in Biological Invasions
These positions therefore have a more specific qualification requirement than some of the broader research placements.
General Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Hold the qualification required for the specific placement.
- Have an interest in biological invasions.
- Be enthusiastic and meticulous.
- Demonstrate good analytical and research skills.
- Have good verbal communication skills.
- Have good written communication skills.
- Have computer skills.
- Be able to analyse scientific data where relevant.
- Have appropriate fieldwork exposure where relevant.
SANBI states that:
No prior working experience is required.
Higher Degree Restriction
Applicants must not be enrolled for a higher degree during the 2026/2027 academic years.
Candidates planning further studies should therefore consider this requirement carefully before applying.
Advantageous Requirements
A strong academic record will be advantageous.
A driver’s licence with at least:
One year of driving experience
is also listed as an advantage.
A driver’s licence is therefore not stated as compulsory for all placements.
Skills Test
Shortlisted applicants may be required to undergo a:
Skills test
to demonstrate competencies relevant to the placement.
Required Application Documents
Applications must include:
- Completed application form.
- Letter explaining the applicant’s skills and interests relevant to the placement.
- Full CV.
- Certified academic record or transcript.
- Certified copy of highest qualification.
- Certified copy of South African ID.
- One academic reference letter.
Applicants should ensure that all compulsory documents are ready before beginning the application.
Academic Reference Letter
Applicants must submit:
One letter of academic reference
This should be a written reference rather than simply listing an academic person’s contact details on the CV.
Applicants may consider obtaining the letter from a lecturer, research supervisor or other appropriate academic who is familiar with their work.
How to Apply for SANBI Biological Invasions Graduate Placement Programme 2026–2028
Applications must be submitted using the programme’s online application form.
Click here to apply for SANBI Biological Invasions Graduate Placement Programme 2026–2028
Applicants should select a placement that matches their:
- Qualification level.
- Field of study.
- Skills.
- Career interests.
All compulsory supporting documents should be submitted as instructed on the application form.
Internship Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
Friday, 21 August 2026
Applicants have only a few days remaining and should submit complete applications before the deadline.
Application Enquiries
For enquiries relating to the application process, contact:
René du Toit
Email:
This email is provided for enquiries and should not be used as the application method unless SANBI specifically instructs applicants to do so.
Important Application Notes
Applicants should note that:
- The programme runs for 24 months.
- Placements begin on 1 October 2026 and end on 30 September 2028.
- No prior working experience is required.
- Applicants must be South African citizens.
- Stipends are R6,233 or R8,050 per month depending on the placement.
- Different qualification levels apply to different positions.
- Applicants must not be enrolled for higher studies during the specified 2026/2027 period.
- One academic reference letter is required.
- A strong academic record is advantageous.
- A driver’s licence with at least one year’s driving experience is advantageous.
- Shortlisted candidates may undergo a skills test.
- The detailed position counts supplied appear inconsistent with the stated overall total, so applicants should follow the current official application form for the final vacancy list.
- Applications close on 21 August 2026.