Senior Scientist: Biometallurgy at Mintek

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

Job summary

Mintek is seeking a Senior bioprocessing researcher to join the Bioprocessing Group in the Biometallurgy Division. The role focuses on bioleaching of metals, treatment of mine effluents, and molecular monitoring of bioprocess consortia.

The successful candidate will lead project work, develop experimental plans, and ensure quality control while advancing research in bioprocessing and related fields. A strong molecular biology background and collaboration across teams are required.

Qualifications

• MSc or higher in biological sciences with BSc and BSc(Hons).
• 3–5 years vocational experience in Bioprocessing, Biometallurgy or Biotechnology.
• Substantial expertise in molecular biology methods for microbial cultivation and mixed cultures.
• Exposure to bioprocesses, especially bioleaching and mine water & waste treatment.
• Experience with cloning, (q)PCR, ligation, DNA sequence analysis and other advanced molecular tools.

Responsibilities

• Formulate ideas and research questions; design experiments; evaluate problems and solutions.
• Lead project execution as chief investigator within the division.
• Establish specifications, improve workflows, and introduce operating procedures at project level.
• Prepare proposals under direct supervision to client satisfaction.
• Design, operate and oversee discipline-specific experimental work and ensure QC and continual improvement.
• Plan and manage projects to ensure efficient use of time, equipment and facilities; manage risks at project level.

Skills

Molecular biology

Experimental design

Project leadership

Data interpretation

Technical writing

Education

MSc

BSc

BSc(Hons)

Tools

qPCR

DNA sequencing

Cloning

Job description

Introduction

Mintek has an exciting opportunity for a Senior [URL Removed] 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

Duties & Responsibilities

• 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.
• Play a leading role in the execution of work as a chief investigator of projects, within the division/group.
• Operational: Establish specifications, improve workflows, and introduce operating procedures - at the project level.
• Commercial
• 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. Including the preparation of analytical and descriptive narratives.

Ensure that the interpretation is based on sound scientific / engineering theory.

• 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 responsibility for specific equipment / facilities related to projects.
• Research and Development
• 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.
• Contribute to IP development.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Qualification

• Min: MSc preceded by BSc and BSc(Hons) in biological sciences.
• At least 3 - 5 years vocational experience following first graduation, in Bioprocessing, Biometallurgy, Biotechnology.
• 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
• Ideal: SACNASP registere