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

About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader: Advanced Casting Technologies in the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing impact area of the Manufacturing Cluster.
• The incumbent will be responsible for leading the CSIR's Advanced Casting Technologies Research Group which aims to drive technology development that support improved competitiveness of existing aluminium industry and implementation of national foundry technology network.
• The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of strategic and technical leadership of a research group (researchers and engineers with specialised expertise in their fields).
• This includes people management, financial sustainability, business development and operations management, in collaboration with the Impact Area Manager and Business Development Manager.
• This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of the research group’s Research Development and Innovation (RDI) strategy to support the overall impact area’ RDI strategy, relating to the following, amongst others; relevant technology trends, impact, growth, investment, commercialisation, technology transfer, etc
• Lead the development of technologies and their packaging for potential clients.
• Conduct business development and/or networking activities to attract funding from existing and new sources, including building of sustainable relationships with clients, as well as the planning and costing thereof.
• Drive the research groups’ activities, involving aspects of investment, research & development projects, technology transfer, commercialisation, business development, human capital development and transformation.
• Manage strategic stakeholder relationship (local and international) for the research group to secure appropriate, integrated research and industry programmes.
• Leverage on up-to-date and relevant technology trends to derive impactful solutions-offering that promote industry growth.
• Lead a team of researchers and engineers to deliver internal investment and client projects on brief, on budget and on time.
• Promote a culture of Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) excellence (quality and delivery) and provide RDI leadership across multiple disciplines.
• Drive and support employee development through strategic Human Capital development initiatives and programmes to advance employees in their research careers, thereby ensuring alignment with the impact area strategy.
• Deliver on personal, research group and impact area KPIs, including profit and loss, quality, health safety & environment, employee development and transformation, as per agreed targets
• Collaborate through meaningful contribution to the overall management activities of the Advanced Material and Manufacturing impact area, including strategic investment goal setting and development of Research Development & Innovation (RDI) strategy.

Key qualifications, skills, and experience:

• A Doctoral degree in a Science or Engineering domain or equivalent.
• At least 8 years’ post PhD experience in manufacturing (preferably casting and metallurgy).
• Sound experience in managing a team of multi-disciplinary science/engineering professionals
• Proven track record in project management and research project leadership.
• Proven experience in business development of technical development projects.
• Solid product development experience.

A demonstrated and solid track record of/in the following:

• Working in the casting and foundries industry.
• Metal primary castings discipline including publications and technology outputs.
• Business development and commercialisation activities.
• Development of novel technologies & product solution concepts for diverse clients
• Sound financial acumen.
• Solid communication skills (oral, presentation, research and report writing).
• Sound problem solving
• Appropriate national and international RDI networks;
• An understanding of the research to market ‘innovation’ value chain.

Closing date: 22 July 2025