MINTEK VACANCIES

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MINTEK
 

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW (REF: MPD/2024)
Listing reference: minte_000292
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 31 October 2024
Position summary
Industry: Mining & Quarrying
Job category: RandD, Science and Scientific Research
Location: Randburg
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
Remuneration: Negotiable
EE position: No
 
Introduction
Mintek has an exciting career opportunity for a POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW within the Minerals Processing Division (MPD). The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will work with senior researchers and other ecosystem partners to conduct cutting-edge research that will advance the objectives of the organization. The candidate will be responsible for formulating ideas relating to technical projects, develop research questions, design experiments, identify problems, and evaluate and implement solutions.

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Job description
The Mineral Processing Division comprising Physical Separation, Flotation and Comminution Groups seeks to appoint a postdoctoral candidates to conduct research within the following areas (but not limited to):

• Focus on process solutions for industry impact areas of water and energy efficiency and reduction in circuits.
• Tailings retreatment process solutions.
• Novel technology evaluation for low grade and complex ore bodies as well as fines and ultra-fines milling and classification.
• Physical separation (gravity, magnetic and electrostatic separation) predictive modelling of circuits with the aim to scale up laboratory data to pilot plants and commercial operations.
• Modelling and simulation of comminution circuits and plant audits and surveys data validation.
• Evaluation of energy and/or water efficient technology for incorporation into comminution flowsheets.
• Develop software tools and data models to improve the interpretation of mineralogical data (numerical, images).
• Conduct advanced research on flotation processes, including reagent chemistry, surface chemistry, and mineral recovery.
• Conduct various flotation tests such as bench roughers, cleaner & recleaner and lock cycle tests.
• Investigate the adsorption mechanisms, zeta potential, thermodynamic, kinetics and hydrophobicity changes at the mineral/reagent interface.
• Develop and test new flotation reagents and technologies for improved kinetics, selectivity and recovery.
• Analyse experimental data using advanced techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopes (SEM), and surface tension measurements.

 
Key Responsibilities:
The Postdoctoral Fellow will work under the direction of a senior researcher and is expected to carry out the following responsibilities:

• Formulating ideas relating to technical projects, develop research questions, design experiments, identify problems, and evaluate and implement solutions.
• Data collection, analysis, and modelling.
• Presenting at high impact conferences nationally and internationally.
• Participating in site visits, meetings, and workshops.
• Producing high quality research publications (peer-reviewed articles, reports, book chapters, etc.)
• Contributing towards the development of prototypes, processes, models, products
• Writing research proposals.
• Mentoring and supervising postgraduate students.
• Building research collaborations nationally and internationally.
• Contributing towards science engagement activities.
• Supporting initiatives that promote the strategic goals and objectives of Mintek.

 
Minimum Qualifications:
A doctorate in one of the fields below:

• Chemical Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering

Skills and experience:

• Excellent technical skills
• Good track record of research outputs and publications
• Good teaching and training skills (mentoring of postgraduate students)
• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work and lead in both a team environment as well as an individual
• Professional recognition and registration is an added advantage.

 
Minimum requirements
Minimum Qualifications:
A doctorate in one of the fields below:

•       Chemical Engineering
•      Metallurgical Engineering

 
Skills and Experience:

• Excellent technical skills
• Good track record of research outputs and publications
• Good teaching and training skills (mentoring of postgraduate students)
• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work and lead in both a team environment as well as an individual
• Professional recognition and registration is an added advantage.

 
APPLY

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