Senior Scientist - Hydrogeology

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 Research and Development

• Conduct independent advanced research focused on South Africa’s groundwater resources and provide expert advice on water-related issues.
• Undertake advanced geoscience research and development to improve understanding of the hydrogeological regime.
• Conduct geological surveys and mapping, analysing geological data to understand subsurface geology that controls groundwater flow paths, storage, and quantity.
• Contribute to predicting the movement of contaminants in groundwater, helping to identify potential sources of pollution and to design remediation strategies.
• Participate in compiling and overseeing the development of reports, maps, and similar publications on the Council for Geoscience’s (CGS) hydrological mapping projects and broader geoscience programme.
• Participate in geoscience data mining, collection, interpretation, and modelling toward developing the knowledge and strength of South Africa’s developmental imperatives.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and supervision to junior staff towards their professional development, e.g. guiding their work, monitoring progress, checking maps and editing reports on various geoscience projects.
• Participate in the development and implementation of new methodologies.
• Resolve complex problems in a variety of geoscientific fields with minimal guidance or supervision.
• Initiate, lead, or participate in statutory and commercial projects.

Project Implementation/ Project Management

• Evaluate the results, edit reports for publication compiled by junior scientists, and prepare your own work for publication by the CGS.
• Interrogate the analytical results (including eliminating possibilities of batch effects) from the laboratory of the submitted samples. Use knowledge to ascertain technical soundness of the data and identify & explain results that do not correspond to known scientific models.
• Geoscience data processing, interpretation and packing toward defining research areas/requirements and the establishment of solutions toward mandated research objectives.
• Initiate, develop and give geoscience input to project proposals and/or tenders for both statutory and commercial work.
• Implement risk mitigation measures as directed by the Unit manager/project manager.
• Give geoscientific input to the negotiation of existing contract proposals and manage the execution of work during project implementation.
• Lead and/or make and provide assistance during negotiations for contract timeframes extension within the framework of the approved contract/scope of work.
• Lead tasks or projects and monitor project execution and budget expenditure in line with deliverables and objectives.
• Make technical contributions to the compilation of commercial and statutory project tender documents or contracts.
• Ensure that the project is executed in line with its objectives.

 Stakeholder Relations and Reporting

• Recommend resources for tasks and/or projects.
• Ensure that the project is executed within budget and on time.
• Present research results at major conferences locally and/or internationally.
• Publish research findings in CGS publications and/ or recognised journals.
• Give scientific advice to the public and private sector organizations in line with organizational policies.
• Proficiently presents research findings, both in written, electronic and verbal forms.
• Liaise directly with consultants, clients, officials and the public.
• Develop and implement operating manuals for work procedures in line with ISO standards.
• Evaluate work and reports from junior staff.
• Produce products in line with industry norms, standards and guidelines.

 Learning and Development

• Mentor, coaches, and facilitates skills transfer to junior staff.
• Present training workshops /courses to junior staff.
• Evaluate the results, edit reports for publication by junior scientists, and prepare your own work for publication by the CGS.
• Supervise and provide guidance in the execution of projects by junior staff.
• Undertake 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.
• Ability to interpret, evaluate and assess research data.
• Ability to evaluate and assess research work and reports of other scientists.
• Ability to compile and present geo-scientific research investigations at national and internal forums.
• Ability to develop and present geo-scientific project proposals.
• Ability to present and develop geo-scientific contractual proposals.
• Ability to lead and manage geo-scientific projects.
• Ability to lead and manage project team(s).
• Ability to mentor and coach other scientists.
• Knowledge of ISO certification processes and standards.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Grade 12; and
• BSc Hons in Geology/Hydrology or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 6 years relevant experience, or
• MSc/ PhD in Geology/Hydrology or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 5 years relevant experience, or
• PhD in Geology/Hydrology or any other relevant earth science qualification, plus 3 years relevant experience.
• Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) registration with SACNASP.
• Valid driver’s licence.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in the planning and execution of geoscience research projects with inputs 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.

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: 21 August 2026