Senior Scientist

Mintek Pty Ltd.; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading scientific research company in Gauteng seeks a Senior Scientist for their Bioprocessing Group. The successful candidate will conduct research on innovative bioprocesses, focusing on bioleaching and waste treatment. Applicants must have an MSc and relevant experience, particularly in molecular biology. The role requires strong analytical skills, project management experience, and a commitment to SHEQ standards. Join a dynamic team committed to scientific excellence and innovation.

Benefits

Market related remuneration

Exciting career opportunity

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of vocational experience following graduation in relevant fields.
• Substantial expertise in methods development for microbial cultivation.
• Understanding of bioprocesses, especially bioleaching.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects as a chief investigator.
• Prepare proposals under supervision.
• Collect and interpret data using standard methodologies.

Skills

Molecular biology methods

Project management

Data interpretation

Bioprocessing

Education

MSc preceded by BSc and BSc(Hons) in biological sciences

Tools

qPCR

DNA sequence analysis

Cloning

Job description

Industry : Scientific, Research & Development

Job category : Rand D, Science and Scientific Research

Location : Randburg

Contract : Permanent

Remuneration : Market Related

EE position : Yes Introduction

Overview

Mintek has an exciting career opportunity for a Senior Scientist.

The successful candidate will be based full-time in the Bioprocessing Group in the Biometallurgy Division and will be expected to provide technical scientific inputs to and perform research in the areas of:

• Bioleaching of precious and base metal resources
• Treatment of mine effluents and solid wastes
• Molecular methods for monitoring of bioprocess consortia

Key Performance Indicators

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS :

He / she is aware of trends in the relevant field, and is able to formulate ideas relating to technical projects, frame and develop research questions, design experiments, identify problems, and evaluate and implement solutions.

Responsibilities

• Play a leading role in the execution of work as a chief investigator of projects, within the division / group.
• Establish specifications, improve workflows, and introduce operating procedures – at the project level.
• Prepare proposals under direct / limited supervision to Client satisfaction.
• Design, operate and oversee discipline specific experimental work as required by Proposals and ensure that procedures are complied with, and quality control and continual improvement are applied.
• Collect and interpret data at a quantitative and qualitative level using discipline specific standard methodologies and procedures.
• Plan and manage projects to ensure efficient use of time, equipment and facilities, including coordinating with others.
• Ensure proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies, promote continual improvement in the workplace, adhere to and enforce all SHEQ requirements.
• Ensure that the project team understands and adheres to all SHEQ requirements.
• As a Principal Investigator, responsible for the assessment and management of all risks at a project level.
• Take responsible for specific equipment / facilities related to projects.
• Prepare proposals under direct / limited supervision, including Open Call proposals.
• Perform routine scientific and engineering research using standard methods, procedures and equipment.
• Act as a principal investigator on such projects.
• Perform complex scientific and engineering research under supervision.
• Contributor to IP development.

Qualifications

• Min: MSc preceded by BSc and BSc(Hons) in biological sciences or relevant.
• At least 3 – 5 years vocational experience following first graduation, in Bioprocessing, Biometallurgy, Biotechnology or relevant.
• Substantial expertise in molecular biology methods for microbial cultivation and speciation of mixed cultures with demonstrable skills in methods development.
• Exposure to, and an understanding of bioprocesses, especially bioleaching.
• Exposure to and an understanding of, mine water and waste challenges, treatment and value recovery.
• Ideal: experience with cloning, (q)PCR, ligation, DNA sequence analysis and other advanced molecular tools.