Head: Water Group at Mintek

Job description

• Assume the line management duties and responsibilities of the Head of Water Nanotechnology Group operating within Advanced Materials Division.
• Provide strategic direction for the Group and identify opportunities for technology development and commercialization.
• Position the Group to be internationally competitive in its R&D outputs and outcomes, including publications in reputable journals locally and internationally.
• Drive the commercialization of R&D output and outcomes both locally and internationally in order to position the Group to be one of the drivers of materials science innovation in South Africa.
• Develop annual sectional plans aligned to long term Divisional plans and contribute to implementation of organisational strategy.
• Accountable for obtaining sufficient income from, and collaboration with local and international funding agencies, in line with Division’s general long- term objectives.
• Ensure long-term sustainability of the Group by ensuring innovative and relevant R&D is undertaken to produce new technologies and products.
• Plan and schedule available resources to ensure business and R&D goals are achieved.
• Provide specialist mentorship and training to all Group staff and others in the Division.
• Ensure continuous growth and the provision of specialised training of staff to ensure the professional skills are acquired to develop, deliver and support value-added material products and technologies.
• Keep up to date at a nationally competitive level with all technologies and business in the Group's work, and partially in other Groups of the Division.
• Keep up-to-date at a professional level with technology and business developments that are relevant to the Division’s interests.
• Manage operational risks and follow all SHEQ requirements.

Minimum requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum: MSc/MEng in Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, Nanoscience or Chemical engineering
• Ideally, a PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, Nanoscience or Chemical engineering
• Business qualification will be an added advantage

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Exposure to the commercialization of R&D outcomes.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in Materials Science R&D, 5 years of which in a leadership position.
• At least 5 years’ experience in materials synthesis, process design and product development.
• Experience in polymer functionalization will be an added advantage.
• 10 years’ technical competency at national and international levels – the incumbent should be a technical expert and provide an overall consultant/advisory role.
• The position requires extensive experience in business development, innovation management, technology management and commercialisation both locally and internationally.
• Human resource management, financial management, project management, business administration.