Latest Vacancies at Mintek

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

• Strong understanding of computational materials science modelling using both ab initio and molecular dynamics methods, and their application to the calculation of thermodynamic and transport properties of high-temperature metallurgical systems in solid and liquid states.
• Proven experience with open source computational materials science tools such as LAMMPS, DL-POLY, Quantum Espresso, or similar.
• Strong understanding of pyrometallurgy fundamentals.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualise and deliver high impact research in pyrometallurgy.
• Strong portfolio of publications in peer-reviewed journals is a distinct advantage.
• A strong understanding of the South African and global metals, minerals, and energy industries.
• Experience with pyrometallurgical process software and design tools such as PyroSim™, FactSage™ or similar is an added advantage.
• Experience with software automation and scripting languages such as Python is an added advantage.
• Knowledge or experience with SHEQ systems.
• Knowledge of technology transfer, commercialisation and product development is highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to attract investment or R&D funding is highly advantageous.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum PhD in Engineering (Metallurgical/Chemical/Process), Materials Science, Materials Chemistry or equivalent, with a strong emphasis on modelling skills of relevance to pyrometallurgy research and technology development.
• Ideally, one year postdoctoral research experience, with strong emphasis on computational materials science modelling.
• Familiarity with high performance computing and the use of shared/remote computational resources is desirable.
• Professional recognition and registration are an added advantage.
• Experience with postgraduate supervision is an added advantage.

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Key Responsibilities:

The Postdoctoral Fellow will work under the direction of a senior researcher and is expected to carry out the following responsibilities:

• Formulating ideas relating to technical projects, develop research questions, design experiments, identify problems, and evaluate and implement solutions.
• Data collection, analysis, and modelling.
• Presenting at high impact conferences nationally and internationally.
• Participating in site visits, meetings, and workshops.
• Producing high quality research publications (peer-reviewed articles, reports, book chapters, etc.)
• Contributing towards the development of prototypes, processes, models, products
• Writing research proposals.
• Mentoring and supervising postgraduate students.
• Building research collaborations nationally and internationally.
• Contributing towards science engagement activities.
• Supporting initiatives that promote the strategic goals and objectives of Mintek.

Minimum Qualifications:

A doctorate in one of the fields below:

• Chemical Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering

Skills and experience:

• Excellent technical skills
• Good track record of research outputs and publications
• Good teaching and training skills (mentoring of postgraduate students)
• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work and lead in both a team environment as well as an individual
• Professional recognition and registration is an added advantage.

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KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

• Assist Head/Divisional manager to maintain and expand on project work from the mining/ metallurgical industry and related research agencies, in line with Division’s current business plans, by providing competence and professional expertise, and interacting with clients, collaborators and potential partners.
• Ascertain needs of clients and the industry and propose appropriate project work, both research and commercial oriented.
• Lead and execute projects in which interactions with technical expertise and stakeholders (internal and external) are required at an advanced level. This will involve algorithm/software development to extract appropriate information and modeling, simulation and interpretation of mineral behaviour in processing and other environments using primarily, mineralogical inputs.
• Execute projects so as to meet the time scheduling agreed to with client/stakeholder, contain costs for the Division and deliver valid conclusions with technical efficiency and professionalism.
• Comply with the internal administration requirements of Mintek and MNL with respect to labour and machine time capture, business governance, professional reporting, project planning and management.
• Develop protocols/workflows for optimal operation and performance of specialised imaging equipment.
• Ensure that QES procedures are followed and project work is executed to produce valid conclusions and with maximum overall efficiency - technically and financially.
•  Ensure that the documentation of work and procedures is appropriately captured and produce advanced professional level reports, publications, conference contributions.

Minimum requirements

• Minimum: MSc / MEng in Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering (Electronic/electrical) or equivalent
• Ideal: PhD
• 3- 5 years or more experience in the field of data and image (2D/3D) analysis applications using 
  commercial/open source platforms (e.g. Matlab, Python, R, Image J, VG StudioMax, Aviso, etc.).
• Coding and/or modelling experience, preferably with mineralogical/metallurgical/chemical data.