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MINTEK
HEAD: NEW TECHNOLOGY (PYROMETALLURGY) - RE-ADVERTISED
Listing reference: minte_000461
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 30 September 2026
Position summary
Industry: Scientific, Research & Development
Job category: Other: Engineering, Technical, Production and Manufacturing
Location: Randburg
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: Yes
Introduction
Mintek seeks to appoint a Head to lead fundamental and applied research and technology demonstration in the Pyrometallurgy Division. The successful candidate will provide specialist support in the development, demonstration and commercialisation of products and services developed by Mintek. Contributing to human capital development and willingness to work towards a common purpose, with a strong sense of equity and inclusion, are non-negotiable attributes of the role.
Job description
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
- Perform the total scope of work in the Division, including business development, applied research and technology development, technology transfer and commercialisation.
- Provide strategic leadership in driving high impact RDI programmes, commercial projects, contract research and funding strategies to drive productivity and ensure the financial sustainability of the Division.
- Provide technical leadership in formulating and executing disciplinary and multi-disciplinary assignments that require integration of specialist knowledge and skills, and function as the key technical resource in the Division.
- Providing expert and specialist support in the planning, demonstration, and managing complex pilot scale demonstration projects.
- Develop and write proposals for new R&D projects to drive the establishment and sustenance of world-class RDI infrastructure, research programmes, and human capital capacity at Mintek.
- Providing full administrative support to the Division, including managing and coordinating procurement processes for RDI infrastructure projects.
- Contribute to human capital development through coaching and mentoring, including providing postgraduate supervision where necessary.
- Contribute to the visibility and credibility of the Division through building and sustaining long-term collaborations with industrial and academic partners, both locally and globally.
- Provide disciplinary and multi-disciplinary assessment and guidance on strategic, governance and operational risks affecting the Division.
Minimum requirements
JOB KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in pyrometallurgy research and/or technology development.
- Experience in designing and operating pilot and/or industrial scale electric arc furnaces.
- Strong pyrometallurgical testwork planning and execution capabilities, with the ability to develop bespoke experimental techniques, models and prototypes from first principles up to pilot scale demonstration.
- Track record in leading multidisciplinary teams in specialist research areas such as computational methods in engineering and process design, refractory materials design and characterisation, and technology and process demonstration.
- Demonstrable ability to conceptualize and manage complex RDI projects and take ideas from concept to market.
- Experience in designing pyrometallurgical processes and flowsheets using thermochemical software tools such as HSC Chemistry™ and FactSage™.
- A strong portfolio of publications in peer-reviewed ISI-rated journals
- Demonstrated ability to attract industry and/or bilateral research funding is highly advantageous.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- A minimum Master of Engineering degree in Metallurgical/Chemical/Process/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or equivalent, with a strong focus on pyrometallurgy research and/or technology development.
- A PhD in Metallurgical/Chemical/Process/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or equivalent, with a strong focus on pyrometallurgy research and/or technology development is a definite advantage.
- Professional registration is an added advantage.
- Experience with postgraduate supervision is an added advantage.
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
- Team player who enjoys variety and has a strong affinity for planning and executing new and high impact research.
- Passion for research, technology development, and technology transfer.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work in a stressful and demanding environment
- Willing to travel locally and internationally
- Prepared to work shifts in hot and dusty plant environments when required
- Ability to independently engage with industry leaders, operators and high-level international stakeholders
- Excellent writing and presentation skills
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW: BIOINFORMATICS
Listing reference: minte_000460
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 16 September 2026
Position summary
Industry: Scientific, Research & Development
Job category: Laboratory Work
Location: Randburg
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: Yes
Introduction
Mintek has an exciting career opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Bioinformatics. The candidate will be responsible for providing bioinformatics and computational biology expertise to support research on bioleaching and biological sulfate-reducing systems. Working within a multidisciplinary research team, the candidate will analyse and integrate molecular, microbiological and metallurgical data to improve process understanding and support technology development.
Job description
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
- Develop and apply bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of 16S rRNA gene, metagenomic and whole-genome sequencing data.
- Develop, validate and implement new analytical methods, workflows and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Integrate molecular, microbiological and process data to support research and technology development.
- Contribute innovative ideas, research proposals and technical solutions to advance the division's research programmes.
- Contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations and collaborative research initiatives.
- Mentor postgraduate students and junior researchers and support the development of bioinformatics capability within the division.
- Plan and manage research activities in compliance with SHEQ and good research and data management practices.
APPLICATIONS
- Comprehensive curriculum vitae, including academic records, research experience, publications and R&D outputs.
- Copy of doctoral certificate (or letter from the university confirming meeting of Ph.D. requirements).
- Cover letter motivating the application.
- Two (2) reference/support letters (one must be from the Ph.D. supervisor).
GRADE: AO3, SALARY PACKAGE: Negotiable
Successful candidates must arrange their own accommodation close to Mintek, and must make their own travel arrangements to get to Mintek. Candidates must be willing to undergo psychometric testing.
Should you not hear from us within one (1) month of the closing date, consider your application to be unsuccessful.
Mintek is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, whose aim is to promote representivity in all levels of occupational categories.
Minimum requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
- A Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience in bioinformatics and computational analysis of omics datasets.
- Experience with bioinformatics pipelines and workflow management tools (e.g. Nextflow or similar).
- Knowledge of microbial ecology, metagenomics and genomics.
- Foundation in biostatistics and data analysis.
- Understanding of molecular biology techniques and sequencing technologies.
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
- Team player who enjoys variety and has a strong affinity for planning and executing new and high impact research.
- Passion for research, technology development, and technology transfer.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work in a stressful and demanding environment.
- Willing to travel locally and internationally.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Listing reference: minte_000459
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 16 September 2026
Position summary
Industry: Scientific, Research & Development
Job category: Laboratory Work
Location: Randburg
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: Yes
Introduction
Mintek has an exciting career opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Chemical Engineering. The candidate will be responsible for conducting research in chemical and biological percolation leaching, contributing to the development and optimisation of innovative metallurgical processes for the treatment of low-grade ores and mine wastes. Working within a multidisciplinary research team, the candidate will undertake experimental and theoretical studies to improve process understanding, support the development of predictive models, and contribute to technology development and scale-up.
Job description
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
- Conduct experimental and theoretical research on percolation leaching processes (heap and vat leaching), including hydrodynamics, mass transfer and reaction kinetics.
- Design, execute and interpret laboratory-scale test work to improve process understanding and support technology development.
- Contribute innovative ideas and methodologies to advance percolation leaching and biometallurgical processes.
- Analyse experimental data and contribute to process modelling, prediction and optimisation of leaching performance.
- Prepare research proposals and contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations and intellectual property development.
- Mentor junior researchers and contribute to collaborative research programmes.
- Plan and manage research activities in compliance with SHEQ requirements.
APPLICATIONS
- Comprehensive curriculum vitae, including academic records, research experience, publications and R&D outputs.
- Copy of doctoral certificate (or letter from the university confirming meeting of Ph.D. requirements).
- Cover letter motivating the application.
- Two (2) reference/support letters (one must be from the Ph.D. supervisor).
GRADE: AO3, SALARY PACKAGE: Negotiable
Successful candidates must arrange their own accommodation close to Mintek, and must make their own travel arrangements to get to Mintek. Candidates must be willing to undergo psychometric testing.
Should you not hear from us within one (1) month of the closing date, consider your application to be unsuccessful.
Mintek is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, whose aim is to promote representivity in all levels of occupational categories.
Minimum requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
- A Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a BSc(Eng) or BEng undergraduate degree.
- Demonstrated experience in hydrometallurgy.
- Sound understanding of fluid flow, mass transfer and reaction kinetics in heterogeneous systems.
- Experience in percolation leaching (heap or VAT leaching) or biometallurgy will be advantageous.
- Experience in process modelling, machine learning or data-driven modelling will be advantageous.
- A publication record in peer-reviewed journals would be beneficial.
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
- Team player who enjoys variety and has a strong affinity for planning and executing new and high impact research.
- Passion for research, technology development, and technology transfer.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work in a stressful and demanding e
