About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Geotechnical Engineer in the Mining Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to assist in the derivation, planning and execution of strategies to improve rock related safety through application of existing rock engineering knowledge in open cast and underground, shallow and deep level mining operations. The position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a national stakeholder network to broaden and deepen mining opportunities;
• Engage stakeholders to assess mining-related challenges and potential opportunities;
• Apply partnerships with strategic stakeholders to promote RDI programmes;
• Participate in technical industry bodies (e.g., SAIMM, SANIRE);
• Investigate and involve industry in local manufacturing of evaluated technologies;
• Drive business growth in collaboration with the Principal Rock/Geotechnical Engineer;
• Maintain a balanced RDI project pipeline to deliver industry impact and financial sustainability;
• Identify and refer business development opportunities across CSIR clusters and divisions;
• Submit proposals for grant and private sector funding;
• Implement cost containment measures to avoid operating losses;
• Apply project management and business processes to convert business problems into technical solutions;
• Define program scope, objectives, deliverables, schedule, financial risk, resources, and integration;
• Ensure integrated project management across the portfolio;
• Develop and implement governance systems for rock engineering projects;
• Develop and manage HR and succession plans to build rock engineering skills;
• Grow rock engineering mining capability within the cluster;
• Mentor and supervise junior researchers and engineers;
• Drive strategy addressing mining challenges and innovations.
• Apply scientific knowledge to solve problems using mining domain expertise (e.g., rock engineering, mining processes, mine value chain);
• Scan and apply cutting-edge technologies to solve mining and geophysics issues;
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to develop solutions from proof of concept to commercial products;
• Translate mining business challenges into technical solutions;
• Technical Discipline Development;
• Contribute to the development of rock/geotechnical engineering through scientific problem-solving and synthesis;
• Work in multidisciplinary teams to implement research and solutions;
• Disseminate technical knowledge via publications and conference presentations.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A bachelors degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering, Mining Engineering, Engineering Geology, Civil Engineering, Geology, Physics or Applied Sciences;
• Eight years experience in underground or surface mining operations with one of the following commodities, gold, or platinum, as a rock engineer;
• During the above eight years experience, at least five years experience should be in: 
• Establishing and maintaining links with internal and external stakeholders and clients, as well as the research community; 
• Mining extraction processes (drill, blast & hauling); 
• Mining design software or numerical modelling related software;
• Rock engineering problem solving; 
• Setting rock engineering standards; 
• Design of rock engineering projects and reports.
• Industry Rock Engineering Certificate for hard rock tabular mines OR for Coal Mines;
• Must be registered with SANIRE or qualified to register with SANIRE.
• Knowledge of Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA);
• Ability to lead innovation and technology adoption in the mining industry;
• Ability to innovate and generate new knowledge; 
• Good interpersonal and team skills; 
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team;
• Problem-solving and solution-seeking orientation; 
• Financial / Business acumen;
• Project management skills;
• Applied research skills;
• Excellent English communication, presentation and writing skills, including the publication of technical outputs;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).