Senior Researcher/Engineer: Thermal Energy at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About The Job
The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher/Engineer within the Energy Centre. The purpose of the role is to support the establishment of the thermal energy research area within the CSIR Energy Centre. This research area will focus on waste heat recovery systems and thermal energy storage systems to improveme energy efficiency, and achieve decarbonisation in industry. This will provide flexibility to the power system through Power-to-Heat sector coupling. This position is based in Pretoria..

Key Responsibilities

Technical:

• Design, analysis and implementation of thermal energy systems;
• Laboratory testing of thermal energy storage materials and systems;
• Collect data on technical parameters of thermal energy generation, heat transfer, and thermal energy storage equipment;
• Provide technical advisory services to government, industry, and other stakeholders;

Communication

• Generate research papers and reports;
• Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate results of studies;
• Establish collaborative networks and engage in cross-cluster projects within the CSIR;
• Establish new and maintain existing agreements, relationships and partnerships with other R&D organisations working in topics aligned to research area.

Management

• Assist in forming the research agenda/plan for the research area;
• Assist in identifying opportunities, developing proposals, and attracting and securing external contract R&D income for the research area;
• Manage research contracts to ensure adherence to brief, budget and schedule;
• Ensure development of self and other researchers through coaching, mentoring, work assignment, structured training and appropriate supervision in order to maximise human potential in line with the needs of the organisation.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Master’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering with least five years’ relevant experience working with thermal energy systems thermodynamic modelling (numerical simulation), optimisation and design, with specific emphasis on design of thermal energy generation or storage systems;
• Experience with industrial plant operation would be an advantage;
• Proficiency in thermal energy design and analysis methods, using numerical tools (CFD or other FVM, FEM, FDM tools);
• Proficiency in CAD software such as Solidworks/SolidEdge;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; also Matlab/NumPy, and C++/Python;
• Knowledge of computational software such as Comsol, Aspen and R will be an advantage;
• Excellent communication skills in English: good report writing and presentation;
• Required to work independently to assist establishing research agenda;
• Demonstrable research skills, proposal and report-writing and project management skills;
• Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills, including the publication of technical outputs;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Problem-solving, solution-seeking orientation;
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Closing Date: 20th, July 2022