Senior Researcher: Chemistry at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher: Chemistry in the Food Safety research group, within the Advanced Agriculture and Food Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting research to support the Advanced Food and Agriculture Cluster, with the focus in Food Safety and Agroprocessing Research Groups, and other areas at CSIR that involve natural product chemistry knowledge. The activities include application of natural product chemistry knowledge and techniques to assist with testing and chemical modification of natural and synthetic compounds, assess molecule reactions, and work on purification processes. The activities will contribute to improved natural and microbial metabolic products, food and agroprocessing products, by-products, and processes. The position also co-ordinates chemical and analytical services in the areas mentioned in Advanced Agriculture and Food as well as for external clients. This position is based in Pretoria.  

Key responsibilities:

• Establish current research status through literature/patent review.
• Develop project proposals by recognizing research opportunities, specific funding streams available and by generating new research ideas.
• Estimate the economic feasibility of project outcomes with the aim of attracting funding.
• Act as principal investigator (or assisting the principal investigator) to manage research projects.
• Compile project plans, develop methods and ensure high quality research through establishment of standard operating procedures (SOP’s), familiarization with good laboratory practices, quality systems and documentation). The researcher must also apply research ethics to achieve research goals.
• Compile safety and risk assessments for projects.
• Liaise with external and internal clients to provide quotations and contracts as well as establish networks in the research space.
• Disseminate knowledge by writing reports, scientific publications, posters and by oral presentations at conferences or workshops, media interviews to generate public awareness of CSIR current research areas.
• Mentor post-graduate interns in general research and personal ethics, as well as formally supervising post-graduate students (assisting with project proposals, securing funds, execution of post-graduate study projects, report/thesis writing) to build the unit’s skills base.

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

• A Master’s degree in natural product/synthetic chemistry or related field in chemistry with at least five years’ experience of applied chemistry or synthetic or natural product chemistry research.
• A Doctoral degree in chemistry with focus on natural product/synthetic chemistry research will be advantageous.
• Experience on the use of high-end analytical techniques such as gas chromatograph coupled to mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) and, high/ultra-performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrophotometer (HPLC MS and UPLC MS) operation and analyses of results.
• Experience working in the chemical and/or food industries will be an added advantage.
• Practical experience in chromatographic, physical, chemical separations, hydrogenation etc is required.
• Laboratory experience and strong analytical problem-solving skill.
• Knowledge of natural product extraction techniques, including analysis of compounds and structure elucidation using NMR and X-ray diffraction.
• An understanding of techno-economic principles of synthetic processes
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills, as well as attention to detail.