Job Description

Job profile:Provide a strategic and technical advisory role to Necsa with regard to research focus and direction in the area of expertise. Provide technical leadership to high value research programmes, which have significant impact on the Necsa technology development pipeline and contribute to the future sustainability of the organization.In this specific role in the RRT department, the main purpose of the job is to provide highly specialised technical guidance, as well as longer term strategic direction in the areas of nuclear reactor analysis, computational method, code development and associated research areas. The job requires an in-depth knowledge of the physical models, mathematical methods and related computer code systems in the areas of reactor analysis, shielding, criticality and activation problems. An important aspect of this job is to provide both high level scientific guidance to other group members, as well as direction as to the relevant areas of research and development. The incumbent is expected to hold a high level of national, and even international, standing in the reactor physics community, and thus establish and utilize such networks in achieving Necsa objectives.Key Performance AreasKnowledge Dissemination

• Capture work done in written format; as initiator and primary author, international conference papers and contributions, journal publications, substantial research and contract client reports, etc. Maintain consistent publication record (over at least 5-7 recent years).
• Consistently report research results at orally at international conferences/meetings/workshop/etc.
• Lead and support technical activities at national and international bodies as part of contributing to the scientific peer-review process.
• Provide technical support on editorial panels and international workshop OR conference organisation on national or international level.
• Represent Necsa at international conferences / workshops.
• Provide leadership with regard to the direction and trends in the field.
• Lead knowledge dissemination and innovation activities via publication, patenting, and contribution to international peer-review processes and awards.

Human Capital Development Local and International

• Act as mentor for staff members and develop staff to senior and chief levels of research contribution. Participate as study leader of postgraduate students in programs.
• Active leader of multiple research teams.
• Leverage and improve relationships with academic and institutional networks (with formal relationships in place), to the betterment of human resource development both at Necsa, and at national level.
• Actively engage with academia to improve support of research activities with industry (e.g. via appointment as Adjunct (Associate) Professor at Local/International University).
• Graduate MSc and PhD level students and have established interaction 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. Act as project initiator and leader.
• Project scope at this level should include large research programs spanning at least 3-5 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.
• Obtain external funding for Necsa research projects that add clear value to Necsa business and the National System of Innovation (NSI) activities. Such developments must be visible outside of Necsa and contribute to Necsa revenue streams by moving technological developments to higher levels of maturity.
• Directed programs and their associated projects should be well established, multi-disciplinary, and have a long term impact on research direction.

SHEQ and other audits

• Advise and support on matters related to compliance to the 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.
• Advise Departmental and Necsa Management on strategic matters related to licensing and SHEQ requirements in area of expertise.
• Contribute to development of appropriate requirements and standards at national and international level with respect to 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.
• Share responsibility to the meeting of departmental strategic and revenue targets.
• Contribution to divisional (and even organizational) success via contributions to the overall key performance indicators of the division.

Key Knowledge & Skills

• Industry expert in area of specialisation.
• Soft skills example: Situational Leadership, Investment in Excellence, Mentoring.
• Technical / professional competence.

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

• PhD/DTech in Science or Engineering.
• Relevant National Research Foundation (NRF) scientific rating (or similar scientific accreditation) considered an advantage.

Minimum experience required

• 15+ years of research experience in reactor physics and radiation transport analysis, as well as numerical method and software code development. This must include at least:
• 5 years in project leadership;
• 3 years in technology development;
• 5 years of experience in human capital development.
• The incumbent should have established international publication track record over at least a 5-10 year period.

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

South African Nuclear Energy Corporation