Senior Coastal Engineer at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

bout the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Coastal Engineer in the Coastal Engineering and Ports Infrastructure Research Group within the Smart Mobility Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting and leading contract research within the Coastal Engineering field, with a focus on physical modelling. This position is based in Stellenbosch.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct applied research and technological innovation in the following areas: Coastal engineering, physical modelling of coastal structures and ports, sediment dynamics, nearshore hydrodynamics and physical modelling of ship motions (moored as well as manoeuvring);
• Contribute to the ongoing development and implementation of strategies to grow the Coastal Engineering and Ports Infrastructure group;
• Assist the Research Group Leader to construct and implement business plans for the group, including strategy, goals, mission, HR and finances;
• Establish, build, manage and maintain mutually beneficial and credible stakeholder relationships;
• Manage a small, diverse project team during model construction and testing;
• Publish and present research at peer reviewed conferences and journals;
• Formulate research proposals and identify tasks and activities to facilitate execution;
• Prepare reports, guidelines or other documents aimed at disseminating the results and outcomes of projects;
• Negotiate and secure contracts and research and development (R&D) funding;
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior researchers, interns as well as post graduate Coastal Engineering students;
• Remain up to date with and abreast of trends so that the research group remains innovative, competitive and dynamic;
• Ensure the quality and delivery of projects and publications in the group by means of technical reviews and quality assurance.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A master’s degree in Port and Coastal Engineering with specialisation in coastal processes, coastal dynamics, coastal structures or ship motions, with at least ten years’ experience in the coastal engineering and ports environment, including port planning and/or port operations, and;
• Bachelor of engineering degree in Civil Engineering prior to the Master’s degree;
• project management and research leadership experience;
• Demonstrate track record of working at the interface between research and development, with public as well as private sector clients;
• Demonstrate track record of securing projects or research funding from public as well as private sector organisations;
• Evidence of well-established and active networks as well as the ability to interact with clients and stakeholders in order to develop and promote the vision of the Coastal Engineering and Ports Infrastructure research group;
• Ability to perform under pressure and manage or contribute to projects within allocated time and budget constraints;
• Ability to function independently and as part of a team;
• Self-motivated with excellent communication skills;
• Registration with a professional body as a Professional Engineer;
• A record of peer-reviewed scientific publications;
• A valid driver’s licence with own transport.