Principal Researcher/ Engineer - Pretoria Verfied

Salary Negotiable Pretoria, Gauteng Pretoria, Gauteng more than 14 days ago 09-02-2018 1:55:35 PM
06-04-2018 1:55:35 PM
About the job:
OUR CLIENT has a vacancy for a Principal Researcher/ Engineer in the Bio-refinery and Forest Products Research Group within the Natural Resources and the Environment Unit. The position is located in Durban, South Africa.
About the Research Group:
The role focused on developing new knowledge, technologies and human capital to enable renewed development in the forest and waste biomass sectors that aligns with a green economy transition in South Africa and the Region. The R&D focuses on three interconnected areas:
• Chemical fractionation technologies to create more diverse and valuable raw materials from biomass.
• Technologies to create products from waste biomass or biomass by-products
• Cleaner and more efficient technologies/ methods that improve the competitiveness of the forest products sector.
Key Responsibilities:
• Perform independent research focused on biorefinery technology opportunities and the needs of the forest products and biomass sector in South Africa and the Region.
• Lead and contribute to the development of new and adapted technologies for licencing, patenting and transfer to new and existing industries.
• Publish and present research findings in high impact peer-review journals and at national and international conferences.
• Mentor and supervise junior researchers and post-graduate students.
• Write proposals and project definitions and research business plans.
• Conceptualise, lead and deliver on multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder projects and programmes.
• Secure funds for research and technology development projects.
• Contribute and assist to lead in strategic planning within the research group and engage in Unit and OUR CLIENT level R&D strategy development.
• Work together with the team on projects and contribute to good operations, financial, and quality management.
• Assist to build and develop the research networks, collaborations and industry partnerships.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
• A doctoral degree in a related field, preferably Chemistry or Chemical Engineering;
• At least seven years of experience and competence in research related to the research group focus;
• Good background experience in biomass processing for industrial applications;
• Experience in technology development and transfer;
• Techno-economic and process modelling skills and experience;
• Evidence of a national, but preferably international, research profile and associated network;
• Proven ability to motivate and obtain funding for contract research;
• Proven contract and project management experience on medium to large-scale projects, preferably multi-disciplinary research and development projects;
• A good track record of research outputs published in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.