Position Title:  Chief Research Officer

Requisition ID:  1429

Department:  Faculty of Eng & Built Env

City:  Cape Town

CHIEF RESEARCH OFFICER (PERMANENT)

Catalysis Research Institute, Department of Chemical Engineering

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The Catalysis Institute in the Department of Chemical Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Cape Town has an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research and invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for this research post commencing as soon as possible.

The Department is deeply committed to advancing excellence in both teaching and research. The successful incumbent will be a dynamic, self-motivated and highly disciplined individual, capable of managing multiple concurrent responsibilities within a demanding, high-performance research environment.

The appointee will be expected to provide both leadership and technical support to research projects within the Syngas Research Group with a particular focus on Synthesis Gas catalysis, complex chromatography and operando catalyst characterisation and testing. The appointee will contribute to and lead academic and industry-aligned research initiatives in thermocatalytic Synthesis Gas conversion and related reactions.

The role requires an individual with strong analytical, organisational and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams. The incumbent must demonstrate proficiency in scientific proposal writing, experimental design and execution, interpretation of large and complex datasets, preparation of high-quality scientific reports and publications, and the presentation of research findings to specialist technical audiences.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE JOB:

• A PhD qualification in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years demonstrated post PhD expertise in leading and coordinating complex research and industrially funded projects in academic and industrial environments.
• Experience in preparing high-quality technical reports; managing project budgets and timelines; and engaging effectively with industry stakeholders to align research outputs with sector-specific priorities and strategic objectives.
• At least 5 years post PhD experience in a heterogeneous catalysis research environment with a strong focus on materials for thermocatalytic conversions.
• Extensive theoretical and practical knowledge in thermocatalytic synthesis gas conversion and related reactions, and the application of theory to interpret experimental results.
• Extensive experience in in situ catalyst characterisation, including in situ XRD, in situ XAS and magnetometry
• Experience in analysis of complex product mixtures such as the Fischer-Tropsch product, including the use of 2-dimensional chromatography.
• Experience in providing strategic financial oversight of the research group, ensuring effective budget management, compliance, and alignment with funding and institutional requirements in collaboration with relevant finance stakeholders.
• Demonstrated high level of computer literacy and competency in technical packages appropriate to the field.
• Well-developed and professional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective time-management skills and the ability to organise, prioritise and multitask within a highly pressurised environment.
• In addition, the Chief Research Officer serves as Deputy to the Head of the Syngas Group. In this capacity, the role provides strategic and operational support and ensures continuity of leadership.
• Candidates are expected to contribute to and develop a defined area of research which contributes to the Department’s current research foci.

THE FOLLOWING WOULD BE ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE JOB:

• Experience in mentoring, supervising and/or co-supervising of MSc and PhD students.
• Experience in undergraduate and/or postgraduate teaching.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE JOB INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Oversee the application of complex gas chromatography techniques in academic and industrial projects.
• Oversee and support the application of in-situ/operando catalyst characterisation techniques in academic and industrial projects.
• Conduct research towards the design and development of novel state-of-the-art heterogeneous catalysts for thermocatalytic synthesis gas conversions.
• Conduct research towards the design and development of novel model catalyst systems to elucidate activity-performance relationships in thermocatalytic synthesis gas conversion and related reactions.
• Publish results of findings that do not need protection of intellectual property in peer-reviewed journals.
• Present findings of academic research at local and international conferences and at meetings with funders and collaborators.
• Support visiting researchers from collaborating institutions.
• Mentor, supervise and co-supervise MSc and PhD students.
• Develop/expand research collaborations within UCT as well as nationally and internationally.
• Raise research funding, apply for grants from appropriate national and international funding bodies.

The annual cost of employment, including benefits for 2026, is R 1, 457 192

To apply, please visit the UCT Jobs Site (www.jobs.uct.ac.za) to create a candidate profile and to submit your application.

Please complete and attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

• A letter of motivation that speaks to your suitability for the role
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Copies of your ID and relevant academic transcripts
• The names of three referees, including their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address, and telephone number.

An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency assessments. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Any enquiries for the position to be addressed to Mr Ian Petersen at Ian.Petersen@uct.ac.za or 021650 2163

Closing date:   31 July 2026      

Website:                       

UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups**.** Our Employment Equity Policy is available at www.hr.uct.ac.za/hr/policies/employ_equity

When you apply for a position at UCT, we collect your personal information to assess your application, communicate with you, and coordinate interview logistics. Information such as race, gender, nationality, and disability status is used to support our Employment Equity obligations. We also verify your references, qualifications, conduct criminal and, for certain roles, credit checks. For more information about how the University of Cape Town uses personal information and your rights, please email popia@uct.ac.za.

The University reserves the right to extend the closing date for applications if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.

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