Chief Scientist - Exploration Geologist

Job Title                               : Chief Scientist - Exploration Geologist

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 which includes projects management.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Undertake advanced geoscience investigations focused on South Africa’s minerals and energy development spheres.
• Undertake advanced geoscience research and development toward characterizing and understanding South Africa’s geodynamic processes.
• Lead geoscience data mining, collection, interpretation, and modelling toward developing the knowledge and strength of South Africa’s developmental imperatives.
• Develop 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) exploration programme.
• Report and present the findings of the CGS exploration programme to key stakeholders.
• Make recommendations of the research at a regional, national, and inter-governmental level for both scientific and 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 mineral exploration.
• Undertakes constant review and evaluation of the CGS’s exploration programme.
• Contributes to and upholds key quality assurance practices and methodologies within the CGS.
• Undertakes varied geoscience activities, research, and development toward meeting the mandate of the CGS and the developmental agenda of South Africa.
• Compile standardized geological reports for management information purposes (manage all geological data properly).
• Ensure that data received from the exploration team is checked and validated.
• Effectively manage reverse circulation and core drilling operations.
• Manage the Exploration and Core yard functions.

 Research and Development

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

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

• 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

• Lead varied projects simultaneously and guide other scientists in the implementation.
• Monitor risks and implement/make recommendations for corrective measures in line with the risk management plan to the Exploration Programme Manager.
• Identify and contribute to geoscience aspects during the compilation of tender documents and proposals.
• Participate and/or lead commercial contract negotiations with external clients in line with the mandate from the Executive Management.
• Monitor expenditures in projects and ensure that the budget is expended in line with the evaluation of progress of tasks and objectives of projects, and report progress to Business Unit Manager.
• Lead the compilation of commercial and statutory project tender documents or contracts, geoscientific and project financial and scheduling aspects.
• Contribute to the national standard and best practice guidelines at relevant forums.

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

• Matric (Grade 12) and;
• BSc Hons in Geology /Exploration Geology with a specialisation in integrated geoscience or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 13 years relevant experience in fundamental geology and/or economic/exploration geology. Or,
• MSc Geology/ Exploration Geology with a specialisation in integrated geoscience, plus 8 years relevant experience in fundamental geology and/or economic/exploration geology. Or
• PhD in in Geology/ Exploration Geology with a specialisation in integrated geoscience, plus 5 years relevant experience in fundamental Geology and/or Economic/Exploration geology;
• Experience in integrated geosciences, geodynamic modelling, mineral resource estimation, and knowledge of various mineral resource reporting standards;
• Experience in 3D geological, tectonic, and mineral predictive modelling;
• Relevant publication record, and
• Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) registration with SACNASP.
• NRF rating will be an added advantage.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Knowledge and experience in advanced to specialised earth science research and applications toward natural resource characterisation and development. Furthermore, 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: 18 September 2025