Job Description

Job profile:To lead and provide support to the Necsa research environment, to execute and manage larger scale and complex projects with multiple specialists, support personnel and team members.In the RRT/MACD environment, the main purpose of the job is to provide technical leadership and drive method and code development initiatives in the field of nuclear reactor calculations. This requires a well-developed knowledge base regarding the appropriate physical models, related computer code systems and numerical methods needed.An important aspect of this job is to provide implementation strategies for selected methods to other group members and to guide the development. It is expected that the incumbent keep abreast of and contribute to new method and code developments in the wider nuclear engineering research community.Key Performance AreasKnowledge Dissemination

• Capture research work done in written format; as initiator and primary author, and co-author via regular progress reports, annual progress reports, international conference papers and contributions, journal publications, substantial research and contract client reports, etc.
• Consistently report research results orally at international conferences/meetings.
• Lead in various national and international bodies as part of contributing to the scientific peer-review process. This could include duties on editorial panels and workshop OR conference organisation on national or international level. Maintain consistent record.
• Initiate publications, through supervision or as project leader, in the field of expertise.
• Represent Necsa on conferences, seminars and workshops both locally and internationally.
• Collaborate with other experts on projects, workshops or international nuclear bodies both locally and internationally.
• Show formal level of national recognition in field of expertise e.g. National Research Foundation (NRF) rating, Honorary researcher appointments, Membership in science committees, Invited speakers etc.
• Perform work at the level of achieving international recognition in field of expertise via collaborative projects, involvement in workshops and/or international nuclear bodies.

Human Capital Development Local and International

• Mentor staff members in areas of specialisation.
• Participate as study leader or co-supervisor of postgraduate students in programs such as university collaborations and NRF PDP (Professional Development Programme).
• Lead research teams.
• Maintain a track record of supervision and graduation of MSc and PhD level students and mentor colleagues to higher levels of career progression.
• Supervise and graduate post-graduate students at Masters and/or Doctoral levels.
• Establish strategic partnerships and collaborate with academia to further the image of Necsa and enhance the technology development pipeline.

Contribution to NECSA business processes

• Initiate and execute research tasks with no supervision.
• Initiate and lead large scale research programs/projects.
• Project scope at this level should include large research programs spanning at least 2-3 years.
• Create know-how that is of commercial and or strategic value to Necsa and which can be further exploited by the relevant Necsa structures.
• Establish strategic partnerships with industry and scientific bodies that add clear value to Necsa business and the National System of Innovation (NSI).
• Contribute to research funding applicable to Necsa projects.
• Projects at this level should span at least 3 years and include a notable human and scientific infrastructure management.

SHEQ and other audits

• Maintain compliance to Business Process Management System.
• Engage in processes aimed at improving safety, quality and security, e.g. Building Head, Behaviour Based Safety (BBS) Management Sponsor, Research & Innovation (R&I) representative on Skills Development Committee (SDC), etc.
• Ensure that safety and quality processes are adhered to in directed projects.
• Manage processes aimed at improving safety, quality and security, e.g. Discipline manager and its associated responsibilities, licencing an operational compliance for NNR and SAHPRA.
• Take the lead in the resolving of audit findings and improvement actions.
• Contribute to development of appropriate requirements and standards at national and international level with respect to area of expertise.
• Advise Departmental and Necsa Management on strategic matters related to licensing and SHEQ requirements in area of expertise.

Financial Management

• Develop project budget as project leader and stay within project budget or portion of assigned budget.
• Take initiatives to increase income and reduce expenditure.
• Contribute notably to the meeting of section/group income and revenue targets by targeting potential funds from Industrial partnerships, contract research and/or research funding mechanisms like the NRF, TIA seed fund or the IAEA.
• Contribute notably to the meeting of Necsa/departmental strategic and revenue targets.

Key Knowledge & Skills

• Industry expert in area of specialisation.
• Soft skills example: Situational Leadership, Investment in Excellence, Mentoring.
• Technical / professional competence
• The role requires clear national, and some level of international standing as a specialist in the area of expertise.

Competencies (Job Specific and Behavioral)

• Scientific report writing and communication.
• Project budget drafting, forecasting and management.
• Able to work in a research team as leader.
• Anticipating and managing change.
• Interpersonal communication skills.
• Holistic / big picture thinking.
• Judgement and decision-making.

Qualifications and Experience:Academic

• MSc/MEng/MTech in Science or Engineering.
• PhD/DEng/DTech in relevant field would be an advantage.

Minimum experience required

• 8-10 years research experience in computational method and code development in reactor physics, 2-3 years in scientific project coordination. This should include:

• 5 years experience in computational method and code development in reactor physics;
• 2 to 3 years in project leadership;
• 2 to 3 years in technology development;
• 3 to 4 years of experience in human capital development; and
• 3 to 4 years of experience in computational software development, coding and related software design.

Closing date: 11 October 2024.HR contact no: 060 456 1352

South African Nuclear Energy Corporation