Research Scientist at AECI Limited

Purpose of the Job:

• Lead advanced chemistry research and development projects across the full mining chemicals product line.
• Develop new products and refine existing product lines and solutions to enhance performance, drive commercial growth and sustain AECI’s technical leadership in the industry.
• Provide technical support and chemistry know-how to departmental stakeholders.

Required Outputs: Functional

Research and development into minerals beneficiation reagents by:

• Executing chemistry research and development projects focussing on collectors, depressants, flocculants, dispersants, and emulsifiers
• Performing multidisciplinary chemical synthesis (organic, polymer, and applied chemistry)
• Develop new products and optimise existing product lines
• Provide technical support and chemistry know-how to departmental stakeholders
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records
• Assisting with the scale up of new processes to pilot and plant scale
• Technical assistance to production teams during plant trials or troubleshoot plant conditions
• Preparing technical reports and presentations to senior management and peers
• Ensure adherence to good laboratory practices
• Literature surveys and information gathering

Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills Requirements

• Matric / Grade 12
• Post Graduate Honours Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Chemistry or related
• 3 to 8 years in a chemical R&D or industrial lab environment with relevant R&D experience in chemistry, mineral processing, or related applied science environments
• Experience in chemical formulation and synthesis, laboratory experimentation and scale-up support, analytical techniques (e.g. HPLC, GC, FTIR, GC-MS, etc.) and problem-solving in applied/industrial context
• Excellent understanding of the Safety & Health process
• Fully Computer Literate
• A valid driver’s licence, access to a reliable vehicle, and a willingness to travel as needed

Personal Attributes

• Communication skills
• Analytical skills
• Attention to detail
• Writing ability
• Teamwork