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

Key responsibilities:

• Mange chemistry laboratories within the Water Centre;
• Contribute to strategic investment goal setting and development of RDI strategy for the Water Research Centre;
• Promote a culture of science, engineering and technology (SET) excellence and provide RDI leadership of multiple disciplines to support Water research initiatives;
• Promote a culture of industrialization of research outcomes;
• Interact with stakeholders (clients, peers, etc.) within fields of expertise to develop long-term relationships both within and outside the CSIR;
• Conduct project management through robust, integrated planning;
• Raise personal, team and institutional profiles through publishing original research and presenting work at national and international conferences and workshops;
• Write, and review research proposals; research reports, client reports and peer-reviewed publications;
• Conceptualise, structure, manage and implement research projects;
• Contribute to policy research in support of South Africa’s national priorities;
• Conceptualise, structure, management and implementation of multi-disciplinary research projects.
• Propose and/or contribute to the strategic investment plan and implement Parliamentary Grant, Contract Research and Development and other grant-funded projects;
• Fulfilling a leadership role in the water quality management (chemistry) related projects 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;
• 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;
• Actively pursue opportunities on Water Quality Management and ensure timely delivery of technically complex outcomes related to water quality assessment;
• Design and implement field projects, collecting and analyzing data, developing new chemistry solutions/ approaches;
• Develop and implement programmes to deliver new online technological solutions for water and wastewater quality monitoring;
• Development of testing methods and monitoring toxicity, contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs), Pharmaceuticals, and Nano-Pollutants;
• Monitoring Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination in sediments, water and wastewater;
• Establish and maintain sludge characterisation related analysis; 
• Deeply understand the sludge classification methods and toxicity testing;
• Carry out research to build an evidence base and inform policy and guidance on the development of online/ in-situ water quality monitoring devices.
• Provide chemistry inputs to relevant Water Centre’ research projects, including nature-based solutions.
• Write, and review research proposals; research reports, client reports and peer-reviewed publications.

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 Masters degree or equivalent qualification in Chemical Science/ Chemical Engineering/ Chemistry with atleast six years’ experience in Water Research, preferably in the Laboratory space or Water Technology development;
• Applied knowledge and understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes;
• Applied knowledge and understanding of water chemistry and sludge classification and toxicity testing;
• Understanding of nature-based solutions;
• Experience of developing and designing norms and standards for water quality;
• Registration with SACNASP as a professional natural scientist or legible to register as a professional natural scientist immediately;
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary team of professionals, mentor and manage people and have strong inter-personal and networking skills;
• Proven experience testing methods development;
• 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.
• Communication and presentation skills.
• Problem solving, solution seeking orientation;