Material Scientist- Hay 17

Job Profile:

To serve as the scientific and technical leader and consultant for the SAFARI-1 Nuclear Safety group, focusing on the establishment and advancement of comprehensive materials irradiation capabilities and programs. This role is pivotal in irradiating materials for isotope production and/or testing purposes, complementing the commercial initiatives of NTP.

Key Performance Areas:

Scientific/Technical Leadership

1.Projects:

• R&D Leadership: Take charge of assigned research and development projects,
• overseeing project teams, setting clear objectives, managing timelines, and ensuring that
• the projects align with organizational goals and contribute to advancing the field.
• Resource Management: Allocate and manage resources efficiently, including funding,
• personnel, and equipment, to meet project milestones while optimizing performance and
• outcomes.
• Innovation and Collaboration: Encourage innovation within the project teams and seek
• opportunities for collaboration with external partners, academic institutions, and industry
• experts to enhance project value and impact.
• Reactor Ageing Support: Providing scientific guidance and support to reactor ageing projects.

2. Reactor Ageing Support:

• Scientific Advisory: Provide expert scientific advice on reactor ageing studies, drawing on the latest research and best practices to inform project approaches and methodologies.
• Technical Analysis: Contribute to the analysis of ageing-related data, helping to interpret results and develop strategies to extend reactor life, enhance safety, and optimize performance.Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Work with engineers, materials scientists, and maintenance teams to integrate scientific findings into practical reactor ageing management plans and maintenance schedules.

3. Isotope Production/Optimisation:

• Production Guidance: Offer expert guidance on isotope production projects, ensuring that methods are efficient, cost-effective, and yield high-purity products.
• Optimization Strategies: Develop and implement optimization strategies for isotope production processes, focusing on improving yields, reducing waste, and enhancing safety protocols.
• Innovative Techniques: Stay abreast of emerging technologies and methods in isotope production and introduce innovative practices that can lead to breakthroughs in production efficiency and product application.

4. Planning and Coordination:

• Goal Setting: Establish clear, measurable goals for projects and initiatives, ensuring that planning and coordination are aligned with the strategic objectives of the organization.
• Project Management: Implement robust project management practices, including defining roles and responsibilities, scheduling, and risk management, to ensure that activities are well-coordinated and objectives are met efficiently.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with all relevant stakeholders, from team members to leadership and external partners, to ensure coordinated efforts, clear communication, and alignment of expectations and resources.

Scientific Consultancy and Product Development

1. Scientific Consultancy:

• Expert Advice: Provide high-level expertise and advice on complex scientific matters, leveraging extensive knowledge and experience to assist with strategic decision-making and problem-solving.
• Research and Analysis: Conduct in-depth research and analysis in specialized scientific fields to inform consultancy services, ensuring recommendations are based on the latest scientific advancements and best practices.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to understand their scientific challenges and objectives, offering tailored consultancy services that add significant value to their operations and projects.

2. SAFARI-Fuel/Product Specifications:

• Specification Development: Engage in the collaborative process of drafting and
• refining specifications for SAFARI-fuel and related products, ensuring that all technical, safety, and regulatory requirements are met.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with cross-functional teams, including R&D, production, and quality assurance, to ensure that fuel/product specifications align with operational capabilities and quality standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Monitor the performance and application of SAFARI fuel/products to recommend and implement updates to specifications, driving continuous improvement in quality and efficiency.

3. Engineering Specifications - MPR:

• Technical Contribution: Provide input into the engineering specifications for the Multi-purpose Reactor, drawing on a deep understanding of nuclear engineering principles, safety considerations, and operational requirements.
• Innovation Integration: Advocate for the inclusion of innovative design features and advanced technologies in the engineering specifications to ensure that the MPR leads in safety, efficiency, and functionality.
• Collaborative Design Review: Participate in design review sessions, contributing to a multidisciplinary team effort to refine and optimize the engineering specifications of the MPR to meet future demand and regulatory changes.

Development and Innovation

1. Material Irradiation Capabilities:

• Capability Development: Spearhead the development of advanced material irradiation capabilities, focusing on enhancing the facility's capacity for research and commercial irradiation services.
• Innovation and Technology Integration: Integrate cutting-edge technology and innovative practices into the irradiation processes to improve precision, safety, and throughput.
• Collaborative Research: Collaborate with academic and industry partners to expand the scope and application of irradiation services, meeting the evolving needs of materials science and engineering communities

2. Theoretical Models:

• Model Implementation: Oversee the implementation of robust theoretical models, ensuring they are well-suited for the analysis and prediction of complex physical phenomena.
• Validation and Refinement: Validate the models with experimental data, refine them based on outcomes, and continuously improve their accuracy and applicability.
• Cross-Disciplinary Applications: Apply theoretical models across various disciplines to support research and development projects, contributing to a deeper understanding of the underlying processes.

3. Data and Results Coordination:

• Data Management: Coordinate the collection, storage, and analysis of data from experiments and projects, ensuring high standards of data integrity and accessibility.
• Results Evaluation: Evaluate the results critically, drawing meaningful conclusions and identifying trends that can inform future research directions or operational improvements.
• Interdepartmental Collaboration: Facilitate collaboration between departments to ensure data is shared efficiently and results are communicated effectively, supporting informed decision-making across the organization.

4. Documentation:

• Progress Reports: Prepare accurate and detailed quarterly progress reports that capture the developments, achievements, and challenges of ongoing projects.
• Safety Documentation: Compile safety documentation that adheres to regulatory requirements and best practices, highlighting any changes or updates in safety procedures.
• Project-Related Documents:Generate comprehensive project-related documents, such as technical reports, research findings, and recommendations, ensuring that all stakeholders are well-informed of the project status and outcomes.

Safety culture and performance

• Safety Training: Engage in regular safety trainings and contribute to the training of staff.
• BBS Observations: Perform monthly safety observations to identify and encourage safe workplace behaviors.
• Safety Initiatives: Actively participate in and promote safety culture through continuous improvement efforts and open communication on safety matters.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

KEY KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Professional/Technical

• Proven record of functioning in, and utilising of, a multi-disciplinary physics environment;
• Ability to evaluate and coordinate scientific information and to make recommendations;

Management skills
- Sound experience of project management;

• Proven record of project leadership.
• Ability to maintain good human relations;
• Ability to interact at a high scientific level in the national and international arena

COMPETENCIES
- Analytical thinking and attention to detail
- Anticipating and managing change
- Focus and alertness
- Holistic / big picture thinking
- Creativity / innovation
- Judgement and decision-making
- Problem solving
- Memory
- Tolerance of ambiguity
- Action orientation and decisiveness
- Adaptability / flexibility
- Excellence / quality orientation
- Rule orientation

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• B Sc (Hons) in Physics with Material Science / M Sc in Physics with Material Science

OR
- BEng in Mechanical engineering / MEng in Mechanical Engineering

Experience:
- 5+ Years experience (MSc/MEng) or 7+ years (BSc-Hons/BEng) with:
- Extensive metallurgy experience, preferably with Aluminium alloys.
- Broad Physics/Engineering
- Knowledge: Sound knowledge of a broad spectrum of physics/engineering-related

Closing date: 14 October 2025.

CONTACT PERSON

Ms. Dineo Semenya

Tel: /

Please apply online before the closing date.

Important: Necsa Group is committed to Employment Equity when recruiting. Therefore, priority will be given to African Females, people with disabilities, Colored Males, and African Males in support of achieving our Employment Equity targets.

GENERAL:

Should you not hear from us within 30 days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.