Research Group Leader - Pretoria Verfied

Salary Negotiable Pretoria, Gauteng Pretoria, Gauteng more than 14 days ago 22-06-2020 10:12:23 AM
03-08-2020 7:35:11 PM
Research Group Leader: Network Asset Management Systems – Permanent Opportunity | Remuneration: Market-related | Availability: Immediately

Our client is a leading scientific and technology research organization that researches, develops, localizes and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa.

About the job:
Our client has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader: Network asset management systems
in the Transport Systems Operations competence area, within the Smart Mobility Cluster. The
research group seeks to generate new knowledge and contribute towards methodological and
technological improvements in the development and implementation of systems aimed at
optimising the total costs of owning and operating transport network infrastructure. Systems
currently in place include the client’s Bridge Management System, self-regulation system in the
transport industry/Road Transport Management System for the heavy vehicle transport industry,
performance-based standards for heavy vehicles, and abnormal loads management. The main
purpose of this position will be to provide leadership with regards to increasing the impact of the
research group through science, engineering and technology (SET) excellence in areas that include
sustainable transport infrastructure management, data science applications in infrastructure
management, industry collaborations, and transport foresight research. This position is based in
Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:
? Continuously build the research group to be responsive to current and future transport
challenges, within the transport sector and in the context of supporting industrial
development;
? Implement a business plan for operations, sustainable growth and robustness of the
research group (including strategy, goals, mission, HR, finances) and establish the research group as a national leader in transport network asset management, with international
recognition;
? Attract appropriate levels of funding to support the financial viability of the research group;
? Propose, plan and implement Parliamentary Grant (PG) and other grant-funded projects, in
consultation with the Competence Area Manager (CAM) to enhance the technical strength
of the research group;
? Manage projects and programmes through robust and integrated planning;
? Coordinate deliverables to fulfil project requirements;
? Conceptualise innovate solutions to fulfil project and programme requirements;
? Project coordination planning with the relevant team members and researchers to ensure
projects are on brief, budget and time;
? Identify and develop new science engineering & technology (SET) capabilities required for
business and impact growth;
SS-F-HR-363 REV08 Advert template business unit/competency area
? Manage the quality of the outputs (i.e. proposals, reports, client presentations, etc.) to
ensure they are of a high standard;
? Build and maintain client-responsive teams.

Qualifications, skills and experience:
? A Master’s degree in transport network asset management, transport engineering,
operations research, systems engineering or equivalent, with at least ten years’ relevant
working experience;
? A Doctoral degree or working towards one would be an added advantage;
? Should preferably be at a principal level or at least a senior level on the research career
path (with publication history, and evidence of national and international recognition);
? Good understanding of transport and the transport sector in South Africa;
? Registered professional scientist or engineer would be an added advantage;
? Ability to work in a methodical manner is essential;
? Ability to carry out strategic stakeholder interactions at all levels;
? Demonstrated ability to secure research funding;
? Excellent business management skills (i.e. budgeting, establishing networks, excellent
people skills, etc.);
? Excellent presentation skills (i.e. able to present ideas, concepts, plan and procedures);
? Excellent people management skills (i.e. mentorship, coaching diversity and diversity
management);
? Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills;
? Demonstrated track record of the ability to work accurately, independently and efficiently.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.