Chief Scientist: Environmental Laboratory

Job Title                               : Chief Scientist - Environmental Laboratory

Posistion Status                  : Permanent 

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

Location                               : Pretoria, Head Office

Reporting Line                    : Manager: Analytical Services

Overall, Job Purpose         : Undertake advanced to innovative geoscience; integrated and  multidisciplinary geoscientific research which includes projects management.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct individual and/or cooperative multidisciplinary research (including proposal writing, budgeting, planning, field and laboratory measurement, processing, interpretation, integration and reporting).
• Supervise all staff and visitors working in Environmental Laboratory on procedures, instrument operation and research methods.
• Ensure adherence to an effective laboratory quality management system that is compliant with applicable ISO standards.
• Develop laboratory standard operating procedures and work instructions.
• Perform Root Cause Analysis to all non-conformances that are raised.
• Attend client queries and investigate matters arising from customer complains.
• Implement corrective and preventative measures to all audit observations and findings.
• Ensure that the Environmental Laboratory is safe and free from harm.
• Evaluate and report analysis data as scientific information in customer and/or research reports, including scientific interpretation and application of data.
• Edit reports of scientists for publication, including own.
• Publish research work in recognised scientific journals.
• Present technical and research results at conferences locally and internationally.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reporting on project progress.
• Measure and Improve analysis turnaround times.
• Ensure that all deliverables for research projects are submitted and archived on time.
• Ensure that relevant research projects are delivered within the budgeted amount.
• Initiate procurement of capital equipment as per capital expenditure demand plan.
• Reduce instrument and equipment downtime in the laboratory by adhering to maintenance schedules and keeping critical spares
• Provide advanced scientific advice to the public and private sector organisations.
• Advise, supervise and give guidance to management and stakeholders on the execution of projects.
• Respond, investigate and report to the customer all customer queries in the section.
• Work closely with other CGS departments within scientific and support divisions to ensure successful execution of the CGS projects
• Keep abreast of developments in the analytical Environmental techniques as applied to the field geochemistry, water and environmental sciences.

Research and Development

• Initiates and participates in advanced cutting-edge geoscientific research, which involves:

• Data mining and data collection
• Data collection, data interpretation
• Compilation/computation of maps and/or geoscientific models

• Development of new methodologies.
• Compilation of reports and peer-reviewed technical papers or scientific publications.
• Make recommendations for research at regional, national, inter-governmental level for scientific research or commercial purposes.
• Provides guidance and/or mentoring to junior staff in research, which involves the following:

• Provide guidance in the formulation of research proposals, research methodologies, data collection and data interpretation
• Revision and editing of reports, methodologies, models and maps on various projects
• Progress monitoring
• Evaluates projects results, edit reports of junior scientists for publication.

• Participate in national or international review bodies tasked with reviewing advanced projects/programmes of national, scientific or international significance
• Participate in independent research from data gathering, development of high-quality maps and reports, level editing of maps, reports, 3D models and other publications
• Develops, interrogates and implements innovative conceptual models and techniques to enhance efficiency regarding geoscientific work or programmes.
• Interprets based on integration of existing and new geoscience data and proposes alternative and/or defendable scientific models to explain the genesis of mineralisation in a specified area.
• Geoscience data processing, interpretation and packing toward defining research areas/requirements and the establishment and review of solutions toward mandated research objectives and training and development plans

Project Implementation/ Project Management

• Leads and implements advanced or cutting-edge projects more of varied fields on time and guides other scientists in the implementation.
• Monitors risks and make recommendations for and implement corrective measures in line with the risk management plan of the Business Unit Manager.
• Identifies and contributes to geoscience aspects during the compilation of tender and proposals.
• Participates and/or leads commercial contract negotiations with external clients in line with the mandate from the Executive Management.
• Monitors project expenditure and ensure that the budget is expended in line with the progress of tasks and objectives of the projects, and reports 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

• Provides advanced advice to Executive Management, and/or public and private sector organisations related to the field of expertise and may advise Executive Management on the scientific and technical acceptability of maps, publications and reports.
• Provide independent moderation or peer-review of post-graduate degrees or scientific publications (from external stakeholders).
• Make presentations at national and/or international conferences or related work forums. Editing or co-editing of a book or volume based on conference proceedings.
• Makes science-based contributions to research publications as first author or co-author in national and international journals.
• Produces high-quality publications in national and/or international journals as first author.
• Participates in scientific discussions at national and international conferences involving matters of scientific importance either in a specific field or variety of fields.
• Develop and implement operating manuals for work procedures for ISO certification.
• Evaluates project results, reviews and edits project proposals and technical reports compiled by lower-level scientists.

Learning and Development

• Mentors, coaches and provide supervision and guidance in research of lower-level scientists regarding their geoscientific work and their progress.
• Initiate national or international training workshops /courses for junior staff to strengthen skills transfer to junior staff in line with the business unit development plan.
• Evaluate the results, edit reports for publication by junior scientists, and prepare your own work for publication by the CGS.
• Supervises and provides guidance in the execution of projects by junior scientists.
• Assist in identifying training needs and recommendations to the relevant manager.
• Undertakes varied geoscientific tasks as required and stipulated within the Council for Geoscience mandate.

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to conduct complex geo-scientific investigations and research independently within varied fields.
• Ability to conduct advanced geo-scientific research within a specified field of discipline.
• Ability to conduct high level editing of geo-scientific reports ad maps.
• Ability to conduct advanced interpretation, evaluation and assessment of research data.
• Ability to evaluate and assess research work and reports of other scientists and within a project team.
• Ability to compile and present geo-scientific research investigations at national and international forums.
• Ability to develop and present geo-scientific project proposals.
• Ability to source commercial projects.
• Ability to negotiate contractual proposals.
• Ability to develop geo-scientific contractual proposals.
• Ability to lead and manage varied geo-scientific projects.
• Ability to lead and manage project team(s).
• Ability to mentor and coach other scientists and project team members.
• Ability to implement ISO certification processes and standards.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Grade 12; and
• BSc Hons in Geology or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 13 years relevant experience. Or,
• MSc or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 8 years relevant experience. Or
• PhD in 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 to specialised earth science research and applications toward natural resource characterisation and development.
• Knowledge and experience in project planning, management, and execution.

The Council for Geoscience is committed to Employment Equity and diversity. In accordance with the Employment Equity prescripts, preference will be given but not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups. Females and people from previously disadvantaged groups and sectors are encouraged to apply.

Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If you have not been contacted within eight (8) weeks after the closing date of this advertisement, please consider your application unsuccessful.

All appointments are subject to positive vetting results.

The processing of your personal information by the Council for Geoscience will be done in accordance with the POPI Act 4 of 2013.

For enquiries, please contact us at recruitment@geoscience.org.za. Please note: Applications submitted to this email address and CGS social media platforms will not be considered.

Closing Date: 19 September 2025