Research Group Leader: Smart Water Resource Management (SWRM) at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader: SWRM in the Water Research Centre, within the Smart Places cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of strategic and technical leadership to a research group, including people management, business development, financial sustainability and operations management. This position is based in Pretoria/Stellenbosch.

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to strategic investment goal setting and development of RDI strategy;
• Lead researchers, implement the research, development and innovation (RD&I) strategy for the Research Centre;
• Promote a culture of science, engineering and technology (SET) excellence and provide RDI leadership of multiple disciplines to support Water Resource Management;
• Ensure that the Research Group remains industry and/or service delivery relevant with national and international standing that is directed at cutting edge solutions/technologies;
• Propose and/or contribute to the strategic investment plan and implement Parliamentary Grant, Contract Research and Development and other grant-funded projects;
• Develop and implement a business plan for operation, sustainable growth, impact and robustness of area (including strategy, goals, mission, HR, finances, technology transfer, IP and commercialization);
• Assume leadership in the provision of technical solutions to the client’ programmes including;
• Fulfilling a leadership role in the water resources management area and be responsible for securing research projects;
• 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;
• Ensure staff development and strategic Human Capital Development;
• Ensure a well-balanced cutting edge SET capability, in terms of the elements of research, water resources assessments, hydrological modelling (surface & ground water) and catchment management, and decision-support systems that enable integrated water resource management;
• Deliver on all KPIs of the area and ensure that all SET outputs are achieved, including transformation, profit and loss, quality, health, safety and environment as per agreed targets;
• Implement and comply with appropriate financial, business systems requirements, including operational approvals;
• Network with peers in the fields of expertise within and outside the CSIR;
• Engage with clients and industry partners to develop long term relationships;
• Provide technical support on business development and participate in strategic stakeholder engagements;
• Manage projects through planning of appropriate processes and policies to ensure Intellectual Property (IP) protection and technology transfer;
• Lead the strategic direction and day-to-day execution of Water Resource Management and Nature-based solutions projects, including managing a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists.
• Ensure timely delivery of technically complex outcomes related to water quality management, contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and waterborne pathogens monitoring, online water quality monitoring, catchment management plans, integrated water resources planning and management, master planning, hydrological assessment, water resources modelling, systems analysis, flood risk assessment, water demand analysis, hydraulics and spatial analysis.
• In collaboration with the Business Development and Commercialization portfolio: 
• Drive the transfer of water technology and solutions to industry/user environment;
• Package technologies for commercialisation or develop an “investment ready business” through financial modelling market assessment and business plan development.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Doctoral or equivalent qualification in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Chemical Science, Microbiology or related natural science discipline associated with the Water Resource Management 
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng.) with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) or SACNASP Registration as a professional natural scientist or legible to register as a professional natural scientist immediately;
• At least six years’ experience within an RDI environment, ideally in any of the following water resources management, catchment management and water quality testing technology; nature-based solutions, hydrological modelling or related field;
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary team of professionals, mentor and manage people and have strong inter-personal and networking skills;
• Proven track record in successful project bidding process and research project leadership;
• Ability to provide thought leadership and high level conceptualisation;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Business Development and financial acumen;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• Conflict management skills;
• Decisiveness and action orientation;
• Project Management skills;
• Appropriate national and international RDI networks;
• An understanding of the research to market ‘innovation’ value chain.

What’s in it for you?

The CSIR offers:

• Flexible hybrid work arrangement;
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.