Senior Researcher: Chemistry (Water Laboratory)

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading South African research institution in Pretoria seeks a Senior Researcher: Chemistry to manage water chemistry laboratories and lead research on water quality, including contaminants and microplastics. Candidates should have a Master's in Chemical Science and six years of experience in water research. The role includes project management and stakeholder communication, with a flexible hybrid work arrangement and competitive remuneration.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid work arrangement

Learning and development opportunities

Competitive remuneration packages

Recognition through CSIR Excellence Awards

Qualifications

• At least six years experience in Water Research, preferably in the Laboratory space or Water Technology development.
• Registration with SACNASP as a professional natural scientist or eligible for immediate registration.
• Experience in testing methods development.

Responsibilities

• Manage chemistry laboratories within the Water Centre.
• Lead and conduct research in water chemistry.
• Develop and implement projects involving water quality assessments.

Skills

Project Management

Technical expertise

Stakeholder communication

Research methodology

Team leadership

Business Development

Education

Master’s degree in Chemical Science/Chemical Engineering/Chemistry

Job description

Overview

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher: Chemistry (Water Laboratory) in the Water Research Centre, within the Smart Places cluster. The incumbent will manage water chemistry laboratories, lead and conduct research in water chemistry and develop and implement projects that involve chemistry, including contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs), microplastics, toxicity, sludge classification and nanoscience. Lead the development of testing methods and accreditation processes. Provide technical expertise, project management, and communication with diverse stakeholders, including landowners, communities, and government agencies. Manage and implement multi-disciplinary water research projects and develop high quality and commercially/ implementable technical outputs. This position is based in Pretoria/Stellenbosch.

For more info about the Centre or cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/smart-places

Key Responsibilities

• Manage chemistry laboratories within the Water Centre;
• Contribute to strategic investment goal setting and development of RDI strategy for the Water Research Centre;
• Promote a culture of SET excellence and provide RDI leadership of multiple disciplines to support water research initiatives;
• Promote a culture of industrialization of research outcomes;
• Interact with stakeholders (clients, peers, etc.) within fields of expertise to develop long-term relationships both within and outside the CSIR;
• Conduct project management through robust, integrated planning;
• Raise personal, team and institutional profiles through publishing original research and presenting work at national and international conferences and workshops;
• Write and review research proposals; research reports, client reports and peer-reviewed publications;
• Conceptualise, structure, manage and implement research projects;
• Contribute to policy research in support of South Africa’s national priorities;
• Conceptualise, structure, management and implementation of multi-disciplinary research projects;
• Propose and/or contribute to the strategic investment plan and implement Parliamentary Grant, Contract Research and Development and other grant-funded projects;
• Fulfilling a leadership role in the water quality management (chemistry) related projects and be responsible for securing research projects;
• Deeply understand the needs of the industry by integrating sector knowledge in multi-dimensional research and development programs to deliver industry-aligned RDI;
• Provide technical support on business development and participate in strategic stakeholder engagements;
• Manage projects through planning of appropriate processes and policies to ensure Intellectual Property (IP) protection and technology transfer;
• Actively pursue opportunities on Water Quality Management and ensure timely delivery of technically complex outcomes related to water quality assessment;
• Design and implement field projects, collecting and analyzing data, developing new chemistry solutions/approaches;
• Develop and implement programmes to deliver new online technological solutions for water and wastewater quality monitoring;
• Development of testing methods and monitoring toxicity, contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs), pharmaceuticals, and nano-pollutants;
• Monitoring Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination in sediments, water and wastewater;
• Establish and maintain sludge characterisation related analysis;
• Deeply understand the sludge classification methods and toxicity testing;
• Carry out research to build an evidence base and inform policy and guidance on the development of online/in-situ water quality monitoring devices;
• Provide chemistry inputs to relevant Water Centre research projects, including nature-based solutions;
• Write and review research proposals; research reports, client reports and peer-reviewed publications.
• In collaboration with the Business Development and Commercialization portfolio:
• Drive the transfer of water technology and solutions to industry/user environment;
• Package technologies for commercialisation or develop an investment-ready business through financial modelling, market assessment and business plan development.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in Chemical Science/ Chemical Engineering/ Chemistry with at least six years experience in Water Research, preferably in the Laboratory space or Water Technology development;
• Applied knowledge and understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes;
• Applied knowledge and understanding of water chemistry and sludge classification and toxicity testing;
• Understanding of nature-based solutions;
• Experience of developing and designing norms and standards for water quality;
• Registration with SACNASP as a professional natural scientist or eligible to register as a professional natural scientist immediately;
• Ability to lead a multidisciplinary team of professionals, mentor and manage people and have strong interpersonal and networking skills;
• Proven experience in testing methods development;
• Ability to provide thought leadership and high level conceptualisation;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Business Development and financial acumen;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• Conflict management skills;
• Decisiveness and action orientation;
• Project Management skills;
• Appropriate national and international RDI networks;
• An understanding of the research-to-market innovation value chain;
• Communication and presentation skills;
• Problem solving and solution-seeking orientation.

The CSIR Offers

• Flexible hybrid work arrangement;
• Learning and development opportunities;
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages;
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme;
• CSIR Excellence Awards recognition for contribution and accomplishments.

PLEASE NOTE: Feedback will be given to shortlisted candidates only.

For more info, please email [e-mail]. Please do not send your applications to this mailbox; it is only for enquiries.

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will, through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from a registered credit bureau and/or the South African Police Services (in relation to positions that require trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicant’s educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.