Head: Leaching at Mintek

Mintek; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 1,400,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Mintek invites applications for Head of Leaching in the Hydrometallurgy Division. The role leads complex, highly integrated projects, providing guidance to staff and delivering high-impact results.

Candidates should hold an MSc/MEng (ideally PhD) in Extractive Metallurgy or a related field and have extensive experience with national/international research leadership. The Head will oversee multi-year projects, ensure external funding, and contribute to reports and publications while mentoring

Qualifications

• MSc or MEng required.
• PhD in Extractive Metallurgy or related Hydrometallurgy field preferred (Engineering or Science).
• At least 8–10 years' experience in the relevant field.
• Registration with SACNASP or ECSA is required.

Responsibilities

• Interpret the organizational strategy to ensure research aligns with strategic choices.
• Design systems integrating multiple disciplines/processes.
• Lead large, multi-year research projects with resource and execution planning.
• Provide technical sign‑off on junior staff work and supervise post‑graduate students.
• Prepare reports, presentations and publications at national/international expert level.
• Mentor and train staff and supervise postgraduate students.

Education

MSc or MEng

PhD in Extractive Metallurgy or Hydrometallurgy

SACNASP or ECSA registered

Job description

Introduction

Mintek has an exciting opportunity for a Head in the Leaching department of the Hydrometallurgy Division. The Head: Leaching will lead the execution of multiple highly complex assignments/projects that require high levels of integration and specialised knowledge and skills, as well as strong guidance to subordinates to deliver impact. Knowledge and expertise at this level allows the incumbent to be seen as a leading contributor and technical integrator across disciplines more than a single research field, makes decisions which have a major impact on the research direction and outcomes at national level.

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Performance Areas Indicator

• Interpret the organizational strategy to ensure that research is aligned with the organizational strategic choices.
• Operational: Systems design with integration of multiple disciplines/processes
• Discoveries/Patents: Identify opportunities
• Prepare large funding proposals to attract funding from a variety of sources for highly complex projects.
• Ensure external revenue contribution to support activities of the research group.
• Analyse and manage coordinated research projects addressing complex and often unique problems that are encountered by the specific industry sector. This involves thoroughly assessing the problem and conceptualizing the research so that is adequately addresses the opportunity and that there is an adequate value proposition for delivering the research.
• Analyse, interpret and report on highly complex research outcomes and is regarded as a national expert in a broad field, or an international expert in a specialized field. This includes reports, publications, presentationsetc. at the level of national or international expert level.
• Management of large multiyear projects and programmes, including resource and execution planning.
• Responsible for technical signoff of the work of junior staff.
• Responsible for significant equipment / facilities.
• Work independently and provides instruction to junior staff. Receive no additional guidance and instruction on unusual and complex problems.
• Prepare reports, presentations and publications at the level of a national / international expert.
• Lead, guide, mentor and train staff and supervise post-graduate students.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Qualifications And Experience

• A minimum of MSc or MEng
• Ideal: PhD in Extractive Metallurgy or in relevant scientific field relating to Hydrometallurgy Discipline

(Engineering or Science).

• At least 8-10 years' experience in the relevant field
• SACNASP or ECSA registered