Chief Researcher - Smart Radio Sensors at NECSA

Key Performance Areas:

Knowledge Dissemination

• Capture research work done in written format; as initiator and primary author, and co-author via regular progress reports, annual progress reports, international conference papers and contributions, journal publications, substantial research and contract client reports, etc.
• Consistently report research results orally at international conferences/meetings.
• Lead in various national and international bodies as part of contributing to the scientific peer-review process.
• This could include duties on editorial panels and workshop OR conference organization on national or international level. Maintain consistent record.
• Initiate publications, through supervision or project leader, in the field of expertise.
• Represent Necsa at conferences, seminars and workshops; both domestically and internationally.
• Collaborate with other experts on projects, workshops or international nuclear bodies both locally and internationally.
• Show formal level of national recognition in field of expertise e.g. NRF rating, Honorary Researchers, Member in Science Committees, Invited Speakers, etc.
• Perform work at the level of achieving international recognition in field of expertise via collaborative projects, involvement in workshops and/or international nuclear bodies.

Human Capital Development Local and International

• Mentor staff members in areas of specialization.
• Participate as study leader or co-supervisor of postgraduate students in programs such as university collaborations and NRF PDP.
• Lead research teams.
• Maintain a track record of supervision and graduation of MSc and PhD level students and mentor colleagues to higher levels of career progression.
• Supervise and Graduate post-graduate students at Masters and/or Doctoral levels.
• Establish strategic partnerships and collaborate with academia to further the image of Necsa and enhance the technology development pipeline.

Contribution to Necsa Business Processes

• Initiate and execute research tasks with no supervision.
• Initiate and lead large scale research programs/projects.
• Project scope at this level should include large research programs spanning at least 2 – 3 years.
• Create know-how that is of commercial and or strategic value to Necsa and which can be further exploited by the relevant Necsa structures.
• Establish strategic partnerships with industry and scientific bodies that add clear value to Necsa business and the National System of Innovation (NSI).
• Contribute to research funding applicable to Necsa projects.
• Projects at this level should span at least 3 years and include a notable human and scientific infrastructure management.

SHEQ and Other Audits

• Maintain compliance to Business Process Management System.
• Engage in processes aimed at improving safety, quality and security, e.g. Building Head, Behaviour Based Safety (BBS) Management Sponsor, Research & Innovation (R&I) Representative on Skills Development Committee (SDC), etc.
• Ensure that safety and quality processes are adhered to in directed projects.
• Manage processes aimed at improving safety, quality and security, e.g. Discipline Manager and its Associated Responsibilities, Licencing an Operational Compliance for NNR and SAHPRA.
• Take the lead in the resolving of audit findings and improvement actions.
• Contribute to the development of appropriate requirements and standards at national and international level with respect to area of expertise.
• Advise Departmental and Necsa Management on strategic matters related to licensing and SHEQ requirements in area of expertise.

Financial Management

• Develop project budget as project leader and stay within project budget or portion of assigned budget.
• Take initiative to increase income and reduce expenditure.
• Contribute notably to the meeting of section/group income and revenue targets by targeting potential funds from industrial partnerships, contract research and/or research funding mechanisms like the NRF, TIA seed fund or the IAEA.
• Contribute notably to the meeting of Necsa/Departmental Strategic and Revenue Targets.

Key Knowledge & Skills 

• Necsa expert in area of specialization.
• Soft skills example: Situational Leadership, Investment in Excellence.
• Technical/professional competence.
• The role requires clear national, and some level of international standing as a specialist in the area of expertise.

Competencies (Job Specific and Behavioural)

• Scientific report writing and communication.
• Project budget drafting, forecasting and management.
• Able to work in a research team as leader.
• Anticipating and Managing Change.
• Interpersonal communication skills.
• Holistic/big picture thinking.
• Judgement and decision making

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience:

• MSc in Physics.

Minimum Experience

• 8 years’ research experience in radiation detection methods and accelerator physics of which:
• 2 years’ in scientific project management.
• 2 years’ in scientific project coordination.