Scientist - Geophysics

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Research and Development

• Conduct moderate geoscience research, which includes the collection and processing of geophysical data, including seismic, magnetic, and gravity data, under the guidance of more senior scientific staff.
• Contribute to advancing non-invasive techniques to understand the Earth's interior and buried structures using seismic, electromagnetic, and gravity methods and applying these techniques in geoscience research, including, but not limited to, mineral exploration, environmental monitoring, and hazard assessment.
• Compilation of maps under the guidance of more senior scientific staff.
• Compile reports on research findings in line with specific disciplines under the guidance of more senior scientific staff.
• Resolve simple to moderately complex problems in a variety of geoscientific fields in line with large parts of SOP/research methodologies under guidance or supervision.
• Participate in geoscientific statutory and occasionally commercial projects and publish research findings internally and or externally.
• Undertake varied geoscientific tasks as required and stipulated within the Council for Geoscience mandate.

Project Implementation/ Project Management

• Design, plan and manage field studies/research techniques under the guidance of more senior scientific staff.
• Design and conduct experiments under the guidance of more senior scientific staff.
• Maintaining field equipment.
• Give input to the development of project proposals and contribute during the compilation of tender documents.
• Manage work allocated to self and junior staff under supervision.

Stakeholder Relations and Reporting

• Conduct formal presentations of work output or scientific results through technical presentations internally or externally at conferences.
• Give limited scientific information and recommendations to the public and private sector under the guidance and supervision of senior staff.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals or internal publications (at least one paper in line with the project cycle).

Quality Assurance

• Give input to the development of operating manuals for work procedures for ISO certification.
• Mentor and supervise junior staff members.
• Check the work done by self and junior scientists and interns before submission.

 Learning and Development

• Mentor, co-supervise, and facilitate skills transfer to junior staff members and interns.
• Undertake the requisite individual learning and development in line with the unit development plans.
• Contribute to the preparation of the training workshops /courses for junior staff under guidance.

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to conduct geo-scientific investigations and research independently.
• Ability to analyse and interpret scientific data.
• Ability to present geo-scientific investigations in a written report.
• Ability to present scientific papers to members of staff or externally.
• Ability to work in a team setting and provide guidance to junior members of a team.
• Ability to mentor and coach junior scientists.
• Knowledge of project management principles.
• Knowledge of contractual principles.
• Knowledge of ISO certification principles.

 EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• BSc Hons in Geology/Geophysics, or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 5 years relevant experience. Or,
• MSc/ PhD in Geology/Geophysics or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 3 years relevant experience. Or
• PhD in Geology/Geophysics or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 2 years relevant experience.
• Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) or Candidate Natural Scientist (Cand.Sci.Nat.) registration with SACNASP.
• Valid driver’s licence.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in geophysical and geological data interpretation, and understanding of geophysical principles – magnetics, radiometrics, and electromagnetics.
• Experience in the planning and execution of geoscience research projects with input from senior staff.
• Experience in providing reports on technical matters relating to area of expertise and can make basic technical recommendations,
• Experience of preparing research articles for scientific journals and/or presentations at national/international conferences, with moderate supervision.
• Experience of preparing technical reports for clients, with guidance from senior staff.
• Experience of preparing or contributing to the project proposal.
• Familiarity with data analysis methods and tools, laboratory techniques, equipment and software.