Research Group Leader: Biocatalysis at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader in the Biomanufacturing Impact Area within the Chemicals Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of strategic and technical leadership to the Biocatalysis Research Group, including people management, business development, financial sustainability and operations management. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) leadership by implementing the Biocatalysis group RDI strategy,  
• Contribute to strategic investment goal setting and development of the RDI strategy for the Biocatalysis Group which is responsive to the Chemicals Cluster RDI strategy. Includes relevant technology trends, impact, growth, investment, Research and Development (R&D), technology transfer, commercialisation, obtaining funding, Human Capital Development (HCD) and transformation;
• Ensure a well-balanced impact capability- identify and develop specific (not general) impact/application domain knowledge;
• Ensure that the Biocatalysis team is dynamic, remains abreast of S&T and industry trends, and remains innovative and competitive;
• Effective management of Biocatalysis research group staff;
• Ensure a well-balanced cutting-edge SET capability, in terms of the elements of research, engineering design, or systems/enterprise engineering, to ensure integrated capability;
• Performance management of the staff members in collaboration with the Biomanufacturing manager;
• Assume leadership in the provision of technical solutions to client programmes;
• Deeply understand the needs of the industry by integrating sector knowledge in multi-dimensional research and development programs in order to deliver industry-aligned RDI;
• Strategic Stakeholder relationship management for the Biocatalysis group to secure appropriate, integrated research and industry programmes;
• Implement and comply with appropriate management and systems requirements, including operational approvals;
• Apply appropriate processes and policies to ensure IP protection, technology transfer, impact and appropriate benefit from IP in collaboration with the Commercialisation Manager;
• Drive the transfer of technology and solutions design to industry/user environment and package technologies for commercialisation or develop an investment-ready business through financial modelling, market assessment and business plan development, in collaboration with the Business Development and Commercialisation portfolio.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Doctoral degree in chemical engineering, chemistry or related fields with at least five years’ experience in biocatalysis preferably within an RDI environment;
• Professional registration will be advantageous;
• Sound experience in managing a team of multi-disciplinary professionals;
• Proven track record in project management and research project leadership;
• Proven experience in obtaining external public and private sector funding;
• Communication, presentation skills, research, and report writing skills;
• Ability to provide thought leadership and high-level conceptualisation;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Ability to convert industry/clients’ requirements to technical deliverables;
• Ability to understand complete integration of technology to produce a functional product;
• Problem solving, facilitation and interpersonal skills in a goal-oriented approach;
• Conflict management skills;
• Decisiveness and action orientation;
• Appropriate national and international RDI networks;
• An understanding of the research to market ‘innovation’ value chain.

Closing date: 03 January 2024