Senior Scientist - Seismology

Job Title                                : Senior Scientist - Seismology

Peromnes Grade                  : P07 (R 1 123 719.44 CTC Per Annum)

Location                                : Pretoria (Head Office)

Reporting Line                      : Manager: Infrastructure and Land Use

Overall Job Purpose         : To lead and contribute towards research and investigations in seismology and seismic geohazards, contributing to the development of risk assessment methodologies, and ensuring high-quality outputs aligned with standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Focused research in the field of seismology/geohazards, including an understanding of the geohazard environment and the challenges it presents to infrastructural, housing and other structural development.
• Participate in pre-competitive scientific research on seismic hazard.
• Participate in the implementation of new methodologies in hazard and risk assessment in the CGS.
• Ensure exceptional quality of products and services produced by project teams in accordance with national and/or international guidelines.
• Participate in seismic hazard investigation, such as gathering of data, compilation of reports, interpretation of data, supervising the research of other staff and editing reports on various projects at regional, international and inter-governmental levels and in commercial projects.
• Initiating and developing seismic geohazard project proposals for both statutory and commercial work.
• Compile commercial proposals and negotiate extensions of existing commercial contracts / give inputs towards compilation of contract proposals.
• Make presentations at national and international conferences or related work forums.
• Provide expert advice and/or give inputs to public and private sector on aspects related to seismic hazards.
• Develop operating manuals for work procedures for ISO certification.
• Capacity building/mentoring of junior staff.

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Impeccable professional conduct.
• Ability to think strategically and integrate this with the shared vision of the organisation.
• Ability to work towards deadlines.
• Ability to work independently when required.
• Good communication skills.
• Good report-writing skills.
• Be a good team player and willingness to share experience, knowledge and workload.
• Passionate about seismic hazards.
• Keen on publication.
• Committed to training and nurturing junior staff through close supervision and mentoring.
• Knowledge of the ISO certification process and standards.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• BSc Honours plus 8 years relevant experience in seismology/geophysics/ geotechnical engineering or equivalent qualification.
• MSc plus 5 years relevant experience in seismology/geophysics/ geotechnical engineering equivalent qualification.
• Ph.D. plus 3 years relevant experience in seismology/geophysics/ geotechnical engineering or equivalent qualification.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in probabilistic seismic hazard assessment is recommended.
• Experience in modern digital databases and the use of multidisciplinary data.
• Experience in developing software using any programming language is recommended.
• Knowledge of continental settings (geologic terrain and seismotectonic) is recommended.
• SACNASP registration as Professional Natural Scientist.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Computer literacy in MS Office.

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: 05 May 2025