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SOUTH AFRICAN NUCLEAR ENERGY CORPORATION (NECSA)
 
INTERNAL/EXTERNAL ADVERTISEMENT
 
DIVISION: Research and Technology Development
DEPARTMENT:  Radiochemistry (RC)
VACANCY: Head of Radiolabeling (Science Group Leader)
SALARY BAND: D3S
REF NO: D3S01NE017V2
 
Job Purpose
To ensure that the Radiochemistry early R&D executed and accelerated and take the lead in ensuring that new radiochemical and radiopharmaceutical compounds are into the value chain prior to preclinical and clinical testing. The Radiolabeling section forms an integral part of the identified medical diagnostic therapy impact area at Necsa.
 
 
Key Performance Areas
  • Develop new radiochemical and radiopharmaceutical products, i.e. for NT but also for other clients;
  • Execute TRL 3 and lower research projects for NTP in line with the tax incentive and as governed by the SLA-2 agreement as well as product improvement in line with SLA1;
  • Draft and ensure sign off of work Authorisations by clients;
  • Ensure smooth hand over of products that have passed TRL=3 stage gate to the preclinical & GMP section/group; 
  • Evaluate the process of compounds passed on for further evaluation in collaboration with the Preclinical Head and GMP Head;
  • Conclude new collaboration projects with Universities and abroad and ensure contracting processes are authorised by Necsa legal and OTT;
  • Encourage staff to enrol in technical & scientific study programmes related to job descriptions;
  • Ensure funding from the NRF (for human capital development and equipment) to supplement the grant funding;
  • Supervise PDP students funded by NRF.
  • Ensure the group/section meets its publication, IVD and conference presentation targets;
  • Develop new radiopharmaceutical products in cooperation with the group for external entities in line with NTeMBI cluster model;
  • Ensure training and laboratory space are provided for NTeMBI students to execute radioactive laboratory work, i.e. facilitate screening of compounds for feasibility of radiolabelling;
  • Ensure IP is protected;
  • Manage personnel of the section which includes BSC contracting, job descriptions, leave etc;
  • Ensure a good working environment and that the business management systems are in place for the section/group’ functionality; and
  • Budget and financial control for the group/section including income generation. 
 
Key Knowledge & Skills 
In-depth knowledge of:
  • Synthetic organic chemistry; and
  • Inorganic chemistry.
 
Knowledge of
  • Separation and purification techniques.
  • Analytical chemistry applicable to Radiochemistry techniques; and
  • Radiochemistry.
  • Scientific reporting either in client reports or peer reviewed publication.
  • Communication – verbal (conferences, colloquia) and written (reports, articles).
  • Knowledge of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) requirements; Acts, regulations, protocols and systems. 
  • Project Management Knowledge.
  • Intermediate knowledge of the MS Office suite.
  • Supervise and mentor PhD and MSc students.
  • Project management skills.
  • Lead and inspire a research team.
 
 
Competencies (Job Specific and Behavioral)
  • Ability to develop new ideas and to create new concepts and solutions to problems (creativity).
  • Ability to foresee/imagine/reason and to initiate workable and applicable concepts and conclusions through the application of imaginative ideas (abstract reasoning).
  • Drive to achieve/persevere/to strive towards definite goals/ends/to take appropriate steps of his/her own accord (self-motivation)
  • Open to other’s ideas, initiate change, improvise or modify existing ideas and show willingness to experiment in order to ensure ongoing improvement. (innovation)
  • Ability to collect, process, analyse and integrate all relevant and factual information (analytical thinking skills)
  • The capacity to draw logical conclusions from relatively unorganized information /to make sensible deductions/to have adequate insight/to make deductions of a concrete nature from otherwise abstract matter. (comprehension)
  • Evaluate and judge situations or alternative courses of action against rational, logical assumptions, insight or standard (judgement)
 
Minimum Qualifications & Experience:
  • PhD in Chemistry with 5 years working experience in a radiochemistry laboratory.
  • Short courses in management.
  • Student supervisor of at least one MSc student - successfully completed.
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Closing date: 26 August 2020.
 
CONTACT PERSON
Ms. Lydia Lebona
Tel: 012 305 4150
Building: G1
Room: 0116 (first floor)
 
Please forward your updated CV with certified copies of your educational qualifications to lydia.lebona@necsa.co.za
 
GENERAL:
Should you not hear from us within 30 days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.  
Necsa Group is committed to Employment Equity when recruiting. Therefore, priority will be given to African Females, African Males and people with disabilities, in support of achieving our Employment Equity targets.

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