Geo Technical Engineer at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Geotechnical Engineer in the Mining Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to plan and execute strategies to improve rock related safety through application of existing rock engineering knowledge in open cast and underground, shallow and deep level mining operations. The position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Maintain a national stakeholder network to broaden and deepen rock engineering opportunities;
• Participate in technical industry bodies, particularly in rock engineering, e.g., SANIRE, SAIMM;
• Assist with business growth in collaboration with the Principal Rock/Geotechnical Engineer
• Manage a balanced Research, Development and Innovation projects pipeline/programme to deliver impact to the industry;
• Maintain awareness of business development opportunities for CSIR wide customer base, where relevant refer opportunities to relevant Clusters and Divisions;
• Submit proposals for grant and private sector funding;
• Implement cost containment measures to avoid operating losses;
• Apply project management and business processes to convert business problems into technical solutions;
• Define program scope, objectives, deliverables, schedule, financial risk, resources, and integration;
• Ensure integrated project management across the portfolio;
• Implement governance systems for rock engineering and mining projects;
• Assist with growing rock engineering mining capability within the cluster;
• Mentor and supervise junior researchers and engineers;
• Assist in deriving strategy addressing mining challenges and innovations;
• Apply scientific knowledge to solve problems using mining domain expertise (e.g., rock engineering, mining processes, mine value chain);
• Scan and apply cutting-edge technologies to solve mining and geophysics issues;
• Work in multidisciplinary teams to develop solutions from proof of concept to commercial products;
• Translate mining business challenges into technical solutions;
• Contribute to the development of rock/geotechnical engineering through scientific problem-solving and synthesis;
• Work in multidisciplinary teams to implement research and solutions;
• Execute software coding to assist with the development of solutions;
• Disseminate technical knowledge via publications and conference presentations.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A bachelors degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering, Mining Engineering, Engineering Geology, Civil Engineering, Geology, Physics or Applied Sciences;
• Four years experience in underground or surface mining operations with one or more commodities (Gold, coal or platinum) as a rock engineer or related position;
• Four years experiencing in the following: 
• Mining extraction processes (drill, blast & hauling) 
• Mining design software or numerical modelling related software;
• Rock engineering problem solving; 
• Setting rock engineering standards; 
• Design of rock engineering projects and reports.
• Industry Rock Engineering Certificate for hard rock tabular mines OR for Coal Mines;
• Must be registered with SANIRE or qualified to register with SANIRE;
• Knowledge of Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA);
• Ability to lead innovation and technology adoption in the mining industry;
• Ability to innovate and generate new knowledge; 
• Good interpersonal and team skills; 
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team;
• Problem-solving and solution-seeking orientation; 
• Financial / Business acumen;
• Project management skills;
• Applied research skills;
• Excellent English communication, presentation and writing skills, including the publication of technical outputs;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).