Researcher: Engineering Geologist at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Researcher: Engineering Geologist in the Transport Infrastructure Engineering (TIE) Impact Area within the Smart Mobility Cluster. The incumbent will provide expertise in road pavement construction material. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Undertake research in road construction materials such as, road pavement construction materials testing methods, soil forming processes, transportation geotechnics including slope stability, rock weathering and alteration, surface and groundwater movement related to pavement drainage, petrology and petrography including clay mineralogy and chemical stabilisation processes;
• Collect data and produce engineering geological reports
• Conduct field data collection, processing, and interpretation, geotechnical drilling and sampling, logging, drilling oversight, geotechnical engineering analyses, geophysical data acquisition, laboratory data analysis, and report preparation;
• Mentor junior researchers;
• Identify and manage research opportunities in order to secure external contracts;
• Conceptualise, lead and deliver on multi-disciplinary/ multi-agency projects and programmes;
• Write and review research proposals, research reports, client reports and peer-reviewed publications;
• Prepare reports, guidelines or other documents aimed at disseminating the results and outcomes of projects.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master’s degree in engineering geology with at least five years’ field experience in soil profiling, borrow pit location and investigation, material sampling, etc;
• A Doctoral degree will be advantageous;
• Three years’ experience in road pavement construction material;
• Registered professional scientist or engineer would be an added advantage;
• Good understanding of transport and the built environment domains in South Africa;
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills;
• Ability to work in a methodical manner is essential;
• Ability to do strategic stakeholder interaction at all levels;
• Excellent business management skills (i.e. budgeting, establishing networks, excellent people skills, etc);
• Ability to present ideas, concepts, plan and procedures;
• Excellent people management skills (i.e. mentorship, coaching diversity and diversity management);
• Demonstrated track record of the ability to work accurately, independently and efficiently.