Specialist Scientist - Geologist (Mapping)

Job Title                                 : Specialist Scientist - Geologist (Mapping)

Position Status                      : Permanent

Peromnes Grade                   : P- 05 (R 1 704 849,63 CTC per annum)

Location                                 : Pretoria, Head Office

Reporting Line                      : Manager: Scientific Resources

Overall, Job Purpose           : Undertake specialised, advanced, integrated geoscience research to provide fundamental understanding of geological history, structure, and resources for various applications, including mineral exploration, resource management, infrastructure development and understanding natural hazards. The incumbent will oversee the design and implementation of sampling programmes, geological sampling, and mapping of rock formations and geological structures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Undertake specialised geoscience investigations focused on South Africa’s mapping programme.
• Undertake specialised geoscience research and development to improve understanding of rock formations and geological structures.
• Conduct geological surveys and mapping, analysing geological data to understand subsurface geology and its implications.
• 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) mapping programme and broader geoscience programme.
• Report and present the findings of the CGS’s mapping programme to key stakeholders.
• Make recommendations of the research at a regional, national, and inter-governmental level for both scientific and for the benefit of South Africa’s national development sectors.
• Advise on the exploration of resources, including drilling programmes.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and supervision to more junior staff toward their professional development.
• Undertake critical review of CGS products and methodologies, within the Mapping Programme and broader geoscience programme.
• Undertake constant review and evaluation of the CGS’s Mapping Programme.
• Contribute toward, and uphold, key quality assurance practices and methodologies in the CGS.
• Undertake varied geoscience activities and research and development toward meeting the mandate of the CGS and the developmental agenda of South Africa.
• Remain up to date with macro and micro-economic conditions, legislation, competition, market sentiment, and the industry in general, to anticipate and plan for circumstances that may influence the development of the strategic plan.
• Use specialised software and GIS tools to analyse data and build geological models, aiding in broadening knowledge of geological formation and structures, and resource exploration.
• Ensure adherence and/or compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and safety protocols related to geological aspects of projects.
• Co-develop, attain, and sign-off geological models for multiple commodities according to specifications, and produce and sign-off the SAMREC/equivalent compliant mineral resource statements.
• Compile standardised geological reports for management information purposes (manage all geological data properly).

Research And Development

• Initiates and participates in 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

• Lead research in the search for and development of natural resources and potential deposits.
• Compilation of reports and high-impact peer-reviewed technical papers or scientific publications.
• Stay updated on the latest geological research and mapping techniques.
• Develop policies and make recommendations of the 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 and lead 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.
• Develop, interrogate, and implement innovative and specialised conceptual models and techniques to enhance efficiency regarding geoscientific work or programmes.
• Design new methods and formulate theories, using integration of existing and new data regarding geoscientific work or programmes.
• Participate and lead the analysis of various types of geological data, including geochemical, geophysical, and remote sensing data, to understand geological processes and structures.
• Geoscience data processing, interpretation and packing toward defining research areas/requirements and the establishment and review of solutions toward mandated research objectives, training, and development plans.
• Integrate and package results toward applied policy-defining suggestions.

Project Implementation/ Project Management

• Design and 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 for the Business Unit 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 the project expenditure and ensure that the budget is expended in line with the evaluation of progress of tasks and objectives of the projects, and report progress to the line manager.
• Lead the compilation of commercial and statutory project tender documents or contracts, geoscientific and project financial and scheduling aspects.
• Design and provide independent moderation or peer-review of post-graduate degrees or scientific publications.
• 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.

Stakeholder Relations and Reporting

• Provides 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 postgraduate degrees or scientific publications.
• 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.
• 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

• Develops and implements 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 in regard to their geoscientific work and their progress.
• Initiates national or international training workshops /courses for junior staff to strengthen skills transfer staff in line with the business unit development plan.
• Assist in identifying training needs and recommendations to the manager.
• Evaluate the results, edit reports for publication by junior scientists and prepare own work for publication by the CGS.
• Supervises and provides guidance in the execution of projects by junior staff.

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to conduct complex geo-scientific investigations and or innovative research independently within varied fields of the same discipline.
• Ability to conduct advanced interpretation, evaluation and assessment of research data for varied projects.
• Ability to source and evaluated viability of commercial/statutory projects.
• Ability to negotiate, evaluate and present contractual proposals.
• Ability to lead and manage two or more geo-scientific projects.
• Ability to conduct expert high-level editing of geo-scientific reports and maps for varied projects.
• Ability to evaluate and assess research work and reports of other scientists for varied projects.
• Ability to compile and present geo-scientific research investigations at national and internally forums.
• Ability to develop and present varied geo-scientific project proposals.
• 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;
• MSc in Geology with a specialisation in mapping and resource identification and 15 years’ experience in fundamental Geology and/or Exploration Geology, or;
• PhD Degree in Geology with a specialisation in mapping and resource identification and 10 years’ experience in fundamental Geology and/or Exploration Geology.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in integrated geosciences, geodynamic modelling, and mapping.
• Experience and ability to develop a 3D geological and related models.
• Relevant publication record.
• Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) registration with SACNASP.

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.

Applications submitted on CGS social media platforms will not be considered.

Closing Date: 18 September 2025