Chief Scientist: Technology Support and Consulting (Hay 18/D3) at NECSA

Key Performance Areas:

Financial Sustainability Focus

• Assist in executing customer service activities, including the implementation of non-routine analytical methods, timely internal cost recovery, and the processing of requests to invoice (RTI).
• Assign personnel and gather input to review the pricing structure (including benchmarking) to ensure prices are competitive with the market and that NLS achieves breakeven within the specified timeframe.
• Manage responses to relevant and qualifying RFQs and tenders, including the preparation and submission of proposals from clients.
• Facilitate the signing of sales contracts and ensure adherence to the terms and conditions of Sale.
• Coordinate planning and submit support applications to secure funding for technical projects, equipment acquisitions and upgrades, as well as personnel training (e.g., from NRF, IAEA, and bilateral sources).
• Prepare the required documentation to secure the budget for procuring items for their section.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant Necsa policies, including but not limited to those related to Procurement, HR, Finance, and IT."

Technical Aspects

• Manage the planned activities of the support laboratory, including the development of analytical test methods and the procurement of specialized instruments and equipment to boost productivity and improve result quality.
• Contribute to planning the future direction of the lab's service expansion by considering industry trends, market demands, advancements in analytics and science, customer needs, and regulatory changes, while developing suitable response strategies.
• Support the lab in ensuring the ongoing validity of analytical methods, maintaining conformity to customer specifications, and ensuring compliance with Quality Management Systems for continued service quality.
• Ensure that all quality assurance tasks, as outlined by the management system, are completed. This includes verifying technical and administrative controls to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality services to customers and stakeholders."

Sales and marketing

• Facilitate the creation of physical brochures, banners, and websites to provide the lab services with the necessary branding, aesthetics, and visual appeal."
• Review and approve fact sheets that showcase NLS's capabilities and services, including facilitating their publication on marketing platforms."
• Conduct marketing activities, including market research and analysis, with reports on potential new services and improvements to existing technologies."

Product Development and Commercialisation

• Review and recommend for approval viable ideas identified and conceptualized by scientists, with potential to lead to new services.
• Facilitate the refinement of conceptualized business ideas through activities like market research and studies.
• Prepare business cases based on market analysis reports, highlighting potential for successful commercialization.
• Prepare and submit applications to secure funding for technical projects, equipment acquisitions, and upgrades, as well as personnel training.
• Lead the preparation and submission of unsolicited bid proposals to potential customers following the unsolicited bid mechanism to expand services offerings.

Stakeholder and Customer Management

• Provide key stakeholders with comprehensive and integrated reports that represent NLS's performance in both technical and financial results."
• Contribute to the preparation of the monthly management report for their section.

OHS, QMS and Compliance

• Oversee and assist in executing Quality Assurance activities (management reviews, document reviews, audits) to ensure performance aligns with standards, compliance requirements, and established schedules.
• Monitor the implementation, maintenance, and operation of the SHE&R regime to ensure compliance with the latest and applicable standards.
• Facilitate the execution of BBS activities within the section and compile BBS statistics for NLS.
• Monitor the execution of NNR compliance activities and manage risk-related tasks.
• Serve as an auditee, responding to audit inquiries related to their section, and ensure the section passes the audit without qualifications, including facilitating the timely closure of audit findings.

Human Capital

• Assist in ensuring that all personnel are trained and contracted to perform their specific tasks, while also providing opportunities for exposure and development according to agreed plans and targets.
• Conduct one-on-one meetings with employees to foster rapport and strengthen working relationships.
• Continuously engage with scientists to identify and address skills and knowledge gaps.
• Offer scientific and technical support to the laboratories regarding technical specifications, instrument installation and commissioning, resolving analytical issues, troubleshooting, and performing ad-hoc analyses.
• Train laboratory technicians on standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Manage leave and conduct performance assessments for direct reports.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

KEY KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Extensive knowledge of the scientific field of practice. (Chemistry, Physics, or equivalent), including the latest techniques and the analysis of relevant chemicals.
• Proficiency in locating relevant scientific information in the literature, as well as the ability to read, extract, and interpret data from scientific papers and patents.
• Ability to design chemical or physical processes, considering the materials and all necessary or available equipment.
• Ability to select the appropriate chemicals, instrumentation, tools, and other resources for specific applications.
• Registered as a Professional Natural Scientist or possess the required credentials to be registered as a member of the professional body.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in managing scientific development programs.

COMPETENCIES

• Independent & Teamwork Capability
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills
• Scientific Writing & Publication
• Technical Consultation & Expertise (SHE Matters)
• Supervision & Personnel Management
• Project Management Skills

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Masters degree in chemistry/physics or equivalent (NQF 9) qualification in natural science field.
• Competency training in ISO/IEC standards (e.g., 17025 or 9001) completed with minimal 5 years’ experience in conducting ISO QMS systems maintenance activities.

Experience: 

• 10 years of practical experience in laboratory analysis for the applicable Masters qualification or 7 years of experience for PhD qualification.
• Must have at least 5 years of experience in service quotations/proposals and related customer consultation services included in the above 10 years or 7 years practical experience in laboratory testing analysis

Closing date: 31 July 2026.