Chief Scientist - Economic Geology

Job Title                                 : Chief Scientist – Economic Geology

Position Status                      : Permanent

Peromnes Grade                   : P06 (R 1 362 944,20 CTC per annum)

Location                                 : Pretoria, Head Office

Reporting Line                       :  Manager: Scientific Resources

Overall, Job Purpose            : Undertake advanced to innovative geoscience; integrated and multidisciplinary geoscientific research directly linked to the identification, evaluation, and development of ore deposits for sustainable resource development. The incumbent will conduct investigations into mineralisation systems through geochemical surveys, metallogenic and mineral potential mapping, ore deposit research, geometallurgy, and mineral system studies to promote mineral exploration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Capacity to collate, acquire, process, and interpret multisource geospatial data (e.g., mineralogy, geophysics, remote sensing, geochemistry).
• Undertake advanced geoscience investigations focused on South Africa’s mineral resources, particularly those with economic value.
• Undertake advanced integrated geoscience research and development to create higher level products that improve the understanding of ore deposits and mineral exploration (e.g., mineral prospectivity maps).
• Undertake interpretations across multiple scales on the surface and subsurface, incorporating regional scale airborne surveys, soil surveys, satellite data with mineralogy, geochemistry, geochronology, and petrophysics from drill core and field samples.
• Conduct geological surveys and mapping, analysing geological data and advising on sustainable resource extraction.
• Determine the size, grade and economic viability of potential deposits.
• Contribute to the development of innovative and new methodologies that can be employed in South Africa’s development sectors.
• Compile and oversee the development of reports, maps, and similar publications on the Council for Geoscience’s (CGS) resource development projects and broader geoscience programme.
• Make recommendations for research at a regional, national, and inter-governmental level for both scientific and for the benefit of South Africa’s national development sectors.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and supervision to more junior staff toward their professional development.
• Undertake a critical review of CGS products and methodologies, especially in the field of resource development.
• Undertake constant review and evaluation of the CGS’s resource development programme.
• Contribute toward, and uphold, key quality assurance practices and methodologies in the CGS.

Research and Development

• Initiate, participate and take a leading role in advanced and innovative geoscientific research, which involves:

• Data mining and data collection.
• Data interpretation.
• Compilation/computation of maps and/or geoscientific models.
• Development of new methodologies.
• Publications. 

• Develop and refine field techniques for mapping, mineral identification, and structural analysis for understanding the geological context of ore deposits.
• Compile reports and high-impact peer-reviewed technical papers or scientific publications.
• Stay updated on the latest geological research and mineral exploration techniques.
• Broaden an understanding of how ore deposits form, particularly geological processes, such as fluid flow and structural controls that lead to mineralisation.
• Contribute to the development of policies and make recommendations of research at regional, national, inter-governmental level for scientific research or commercial purposes.
• Provide guidance and/or mentoring to junior staff in research, which involves the following:

• Develop and guide the formulation of research proposals, methodologies, data collection and data interpretation.
• Revision and editing of reports, methodologies, models and maps on various projects.
• Lead and monitor progress on projects.
• Evaluate project results, edit reports of junior scientists for publication.

• Participate in independent research from data gathering, development of high-quality maps and reports, level editing of maps, reports, 3D models and other publications.
• Contribute to the development, interrogation, and implementation of innovative conceptual models and techniques to enhance efficiency with regard to geoscientific work or programmes.
• Design new methods and formulate theories, using integration of existing and new data to define mineralising systems for the purposes of mineral exploration.
• Integrate technologies like remote sensing, geochemistry, and geophysics to identify potential ore deposits effectively and efficiently.
• Geoscience data processing, interpretation and packaging toward defining research areas/requirements and the establishment and review of solutions toward mandated research objectives, training, and development plans.

Project Implementation/ Project Management

• Lead and implement advanced or cutting-edge projects in more varied fields on time and guide other scientists in the implementation.
• Monitor risks and make recommendations for and implement corrective measures in line with the risk management plan of the Business Unit Manager.
• Identify and contribute to geoscience aspects during the compilation of tender and proposals.
• Participate and/or lead commercial contract negotiations with external clients in line with the mandate from the Executive Management.
• Monitor project expenditure and ensure that the budget is expended in line with the progress of tasks and objectives of the projects, and report progress to Business Unit Manager.
• Compile and/or lead the compilation of commercial and statutory project tender documents or contracts; geoscientific, project financial and scheduling aspects.

Stakeholder Relations and Reporting

• Provide specialised advice to Executive Management, and/or public and private sector in the related field of expertise and may advise Executive Management on scientific and technical acceptability of maps, publications and reports.
• Provide independent moderation or peer-review of post-graduate degrees or scientific publications.
• Make presentations at a national and/or international conferences or related work forums.
•  Editing or co-editing of a book or volume based on conference proceedings.
• Make science-based contributions to research publications as an author or co-author in national and international journals.
• Produces high-quality publications in national and/or international journals as first author.
• Participate in scientific discussions at national and international conferences involving matters of scientific importance, either in a specific field or variety of fields.
• At times, contribute to the national standard and best practice guidelines at relevant Forums.

Quality Assurance

• Identify, develop, and implement operating manuals for work procedures for ISO certification.
• Evaluate project results, review and edit project proposals and technical reports compiled by lower-level scientists.

Learning and Development

• Mentor, coach and provide supervision and guidance in specialised research of lower-level scientists in regard to their geoscientific work and their progress.
• Initiate national or international training workshops/courses for junior staff to strengthen skills transfer in line with the business unit development plan.
• Assist in identifying and designing training needs and recommend to the manager.
• Evaluate the results, edit reports for publication by junior scientists, and prepare own work for publication by the CGS.
• Supervise and guide the execution of projects by junior staff.

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to lead and undertake research within a dynamic and diverse team environment, and capable of building interpersonal relations with clear communication.
• Ability to resolve complex and specialised analytical and logistical problems.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative, and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific research problems
• Ability to lead and oversee the planning and organising of targeted field work and project coordination.
• Ability to undertake a leadership role with clear communication, management of resources, conflict management, and the capability of building professional relationships.
• Affinity toward training and development of young/inexperienced geoscientists.
• Professional and scientific writing and communication skills.
• The ability to work with a wide range of geoscience modelling programmes and software.
• The ability to lead and oversee the collection and integration of a wide range of geoscience datasets, including borehole and legacy data.
• Have an affinity toward creative and innovative thinking with a significant dedication toward quality management and control.
• Affinity toward maintaining the highest level of safety and health management.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Matric (Grade 12) and;
• BSc Hons in Geology/Economic Geology, or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 13 years relevant experience. Or,
• MSc in Geology/Economic Geology, or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 8 years relevant experience. Or
• PhD in Geology/Economic Geology, or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 5 years relevant experience.
• Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) registration with SACNASP
• NRF rating will be an added advantage.
• Valid driver’s licence.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Knowledge and experience in advanced identification, evaluation, and development of ore deposits for sustainable resource development. Furthermore, knowledge and experience in project planning, management, and execution will be an added advantage.
• In-depth specialised knowledge and understanding of geodynamics, regional orogenic-tectono-metamorphic processes, and magmatic ore-forming processes, and the applications and collection of geoscience data, especially linked to minerals and energy systems.
• Computer literacy and the ability to work within a geographic database environment, and critical economic geology modelling systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of various geodynamic environments, their characteristics, and how these enable various mineralising systems.
• General understanding of treasury guidelines and procurement procedures.
• Good knowledge of geochemical and mineralogical laboratory analysis methods.