The Polymers and Composites competence area has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader for theNonwoven and Composites research group based in Port Elizabeth. You will beexpected to lead researchers, engineers and technicians in research and technologydevelopment, while working closely with the BioComposite Centre of Competence to ensuretechnology transfer.

Qualifications, skills and experience:
• Preferably a PhD in chemistry, polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, or at least aMaster’s degree.
• Five to ten years’ experience and competence in polymers and composites or relatedresearch field and applied research environment.
• At least five years’ experience in leading and managing a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to conduct strategic stakeholder interaction at all levels.
• Proven publication record and evidence of taking new products to the market.
• Proven project- and programme-management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Excellent people-management skills (includes mentorship, coaching and diversitymanagement).
• Proven leadership, management and business-management skills (includes allaspects of R&D, finance and project management).

Key responsibilities:
• Implement a business plan for operations, sustainable growth and robustness of theresearch group and establish the research group as a national leader, withinternational recognition.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers and technicians.
• Ensure strategic human capital development and performance management.
• Raise personal, team and institutional profiles through publishing and patentingoriginal research and presenting work at national and international conferences andworkshops.
• Plan and manage a multidisciplinary research and development (R&D) portfolio ofprojects.
• Interact with clients (internal and external) and develop long-term relationships.
• Propose, plan and implement parliamentary-grant and other grant-funded projects inconsultation with the competence area manager to enhance the technical strength ofthe group.
• Provide technical leadership.

Credit, criminal, qualification and employment history checks are a pre-requisite for this position.
Should you not be contacted within 10 days please consider your application as unsuccessful.
Please note that correspondence will be entered into with short-listed candidates only.