Research Group Leader: Pavement Design and Construction at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR Smart Mobility Cluster has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader: Pavement Design and Construction in the Transport Infrastructure Engineering impact area. The incumbent will be responsible for leading the development and growth of the research group and ensure the highest quality standards in the group’s outputs. This position is based in Pretoria, however the incumbent may be expected to travel from time to time.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide scientific leadership to staff in the Pavement Design and Construction research group by means of an excellent grasp of the field and by ensuring quality scientific outputs and the professional development and transformation of the group’s scientific capacity;
• Promote a culture of scientific excellence in terms of both quality and delivery;
• Drive the strategic vision of the Pavement Design and Construction research group;
• Contribute to the ongoing development and implementation of strategies to grow the research group;
• Assist the Impact Area Manager to construct and implement a business plan for the impact area (including strategy, goals, mission, HR, finances);
• Identify and manage research opportunities in order to secure external contracts;
• Establish, build, manage and maintain mutually beneficial and credible stakeholder relationships;
• Ensure financial sustainability of the research group, through active networking, developing and managing client relationships, understanding the client needs and aligning them with internal needs and capability;
• Conceptualise, lead and deliver on multi-disciplinary and multi-agency projects and programmes in support of pavement design and construction, decision-making and policy development;
• Draft project proposals, identify tasks and activities to facilitate execution, and allocate appropriate resources;
• Prepare reports, guidelines or other documents aimed at disseminating the results and outcomes of projects;
• Manage, motivate and develop the people in the research group and enable their career growth through creation of opportunities;
• Provide guidance to researchers and mentorship to interns and learners;
• Direct, drive and measure the performance of the people in the research group;
• Ensure that the research group is dynamic, and remains innovative, competitive and abreast of trends;
• Raise personal, team and institutional profiles through publishing original research and presenting at national and international conferences and workshops;
• Ensure the quality and delivery of projects and publications in the group by means of technical reviews and quality assurance;
• Ensure impact of the research group’s work.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Masters’ degree in civil engineering with at least, ten years’ experience in at least five of the following fields related to road engineering: 
  • materials design and evaluation
  • structural design
  • performance assessment and modelling
  • vehicle-pavement interaction
  • construction and maintenance
  • geotechnical engineering
  • risk and vulnerability assessment
  • forensic investigation
  • procurement/contractual models
  • infrastructure funding alternatives
  • asset management
  • sustainability science 
• a doctorate would be advantageous.
• Must be registered as a Professional Engineer;
• Proven leadership, management skills and financial acumen;
• Track record of successful development and management of revenue streams in the field of pavement design and/or construction;
• Ability to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the business/engineering environment in which the research group operates;
• Recognition as an expert in the road infrastructure domain or in related fields allowing the individual to contribute to integration across disciplines;
• Networking ability and proven networks within all aspects of transport infrastructure design, construction, maintenance and rehabilitation, including the assessment of materials and pavement behaviour, and performance modelling, demonstrated through participation in national or provincial committees, task teams and working groups;
• Proven contract and project management experience on medium to large-scale projects, preferably multi-disciplinary research and development projects;
• Practical knowledge of and experience in a range of research methods;
• Excellent report-writing skills;
• Track record of research outputs published in peer-reviewed journals, books or conference proceedings;
• Effective communication skills (oral, written and presentation), including excellent communication in English;
• Skills in staff motivation and performance management;
• Analytical skills with a problem-solving, solution-seeking orientation;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Computer literacy and experience in using standard software packages; programming skills will be an advantage.

Closing date: 11 October 2023