JUNIOR DEVELOPER & DATA TECHNICIAN

(Payclass 09; T1 – 1-year contract)

FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology

Department of Biological Sciences

Faculty of Science

If you have initiative, strong PHP web development skills, excellent organisational and communication skills, and the ability to work with colleagues, volunteers and members of the public, we invite you to apply for this full-time, one-year position at the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology (FIAO), Department of Biological Sciences.

The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting the technical development and day-to-day running of four critically important ornithological citizen science projects. We are looking for someone who is organised, proactive, able to work independently and as part of a team, and who shares our values of inclusivity, kindness and excellence. The position is scheduled to commence on 1 January 2027.

Requirements for the post:

• NQF6 industry-relevant qualification (such as Computer Science or Information Systems) plus a minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience, or NQF7 industry-relevant qualification plus 1 year’s relevant experience.


• Experience in developing web-based applications and related technologies.


• Demonstrated competence in client-side web development using HTML, CSS and Javascript, with a PHP and Python server-side environment.


• Experience with relational databases.


• Competent oral and written professional communications skills.


• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders.

The following will be advantageous:

• Strong skills in UI design and implementation.


• Experience with citizen science programmes and/or birdwatching.


• Python for data processing, validation and automation.


• Familiarity with GBIF, Darwin Core and biodiversity data publishing.


• Relational database design, querying, optimisation and data integrity.


• GIS tools and spatial databases, particularly QGIS.

Key responsibilities include:

• Maintain and extend APIs for submitting, retrieving, and synchronising citizen science data, in collaboration with the Chief Technical Officer.


• Support data integrity, validation, and vetting workflows.


• Develop and maintain website functionality, PHP utilities, and dynamic page elements.


• API documentation, user guides, data dictionaries and standard operating procedures.


• Maintain accurate, documented reference datasets for African biodiversity and geospatial applications, including grid-cell datasets and country/ISO reference tables.


• Coordinate with regional experts on vetting processes and observer engagement.


• Support African Bird Atlas Project administration and liaise with volunteer observers and regional coordinators.


• Resolve data-quality issues and participation challenges.


• Draft and edit project communications and user-facing content, including platform profiles, conference registration materials, and related documentation, ensuring clarity and consistency.

For detailed information on this post, please view the job description at the following link: (view)

For more information about the post, please contact Sally Hofmeyr on 021-650-3291.

The 2026 cost of employment is between R336 151 and R 550 000.

To apply, please visit the UCT Careers site (For Internal Applicants) and (For External Applicants) to create a profile and submit your application. Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application: 

• A letter of motivation, outlining how your expertise aligns with the position's requirements


• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).


• Copy of your qualifications and ID.


• Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship with you, their e-mail address and telephone number

An application which does not comply with the above will be regarded as incomplete. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and maybe required to undergo competency assessments. 

Enquiries about the application process are to be addressed to Mrs Abigail Dixon at [email protected] or 021 650 1673. Please do not send or submit job applications/CVs via this e-mail. 

Telephone: 021 650 1673                  Website: www.uct.ac.za

Reference number: ID1588              Closing date:  16 November 2026

UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at  https://uct.ac.za/oic/employment-equity.

When you apply for a position at UCT, we collect your personal information to assess your application, communicate with you, and coordinate interview logistics. Information such as race, gender, nationality, and disability status is used to support our Employment Equity obligations. We also verify your references, qualifications, conduct criminal and, for certain roles, credit checks. For more information about how the University of Cape Town uses personal information and your rights, please email [email protected]

The University reserves the right to extend the closing date for applications if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.