57 Scientific Innovation jobs in South Africa

Our client is seeking an experienced and technically astute Research & Development Manager to lead their Research & Development laboratory operations and oversee projects related to alternative raw materials, packaging changes, stability testing, and the transition from new product development to commercial launches. The successful candidate will report directly to the Head of R&D and will work closely with the Chief Innovation Officer.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all R&D lab activities, including setting weekly work plans and monitoring progress.

• Manage projects covering regulatory compliance, raw material changes, new packaging, and product promotions.

• Chair weekly project tracker meetings and provide clear updates to the Head of R&D and other stakeholders.

• Draft and approve departmental SOPs to ensure operational excellence.

• Collaborate with Manufacturing and QA teams to resolve batch failures, reworks, and customer complaints.

• Oversee documentation from Operational and Stability Chemists to internal and external stakeholders.

• Maintain Bills of Materials (BOM) in Syspro.

• Manage MMI storage, archiving, updates, and issuing.

• Oversee IEP/CEP sample and report control.

• Mentor, develop, and appraise the R&D team, identifying and implementing training needs.

• Ensure R&D team members are fully trained to transition NPD and formula upgrades to commercial manufacturing.

• Manage team administration, including attendance, discipline, and performance standards.

• Support the Head of R&D with departmental budgeting and cost management.

• Manage departmental resources, including purchasing consumables and evaluating new equipment.

• Compile accurate raw material files and key technical documentation.

• Prepare and present monthly statistical and performance reports to the Head of R&D.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in a relevant scientific field.

• Coschem Diploma / Diploma in Cosmetic Formulation, with a postgraduate qualification in Project Management.

• Minimum 6–8 years in a cosmetics R&D environment, with at least 5 years in an R&D managerial role.

• Strong technical expertise in cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.

• Proven project management track record, delivering projects on time and within budget.

• Excellent leadership, mentoring, and people management skills.

• Strong regulatory knowledge and understanding of product compliance.

Post-Doctoral Fellowships – Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

The CSIR has three temporary opportunities for Post-Doctoral Fellowships in the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observatory programme (SOCCO), within the Smart Places cluster, and hosted at the Marine Institute (Ma-Re), UCT. The purpose of the fellowships is to conduct research in line with three H2020 projects in which SOCCO is a partner. These positions are offered as a two-year contract with the possibility of extension for a third year. These opportunities are based in Rosebank, Cape Town.

• Southern Ocean CO 2 and heat uptake : the future role of the Southern Ocean in influencing the rates of global warming depends critically on the sensitivity of its uptake and storage of heat and anthropogenic CO 2. This sensitivity is thought to be largely dependent on the response in the physics of the mixed layer and sea ice system to climate change. This fellowship aims to use air-sea CO 2 reconstructions, high resolution models as well as Earth System Models (ESM) to examine the climate sensitivity of the mechanisms that explain CO 2 and heat ocean-atmosphere fluxes in the Southern Ocean.
• Southern Ocean emerging feedbacks in carbon cycle: the sensitivity of coupled ocean-atmosphere physical and ocean biogeochemical mechanisms to climate forcing can lead to regional non-linear responses that lead to changing feedbacks, thresholds of abrupt change and tipping pointes. This fellowship aims to use the South African ESM combination with other CMIP6 models to examine how non-linearities in the carbon cycle can be linked to specific physical and biogeochemical mechanisms, their scales and dynamics in the Southern Ocean.
• Southern Ocean Biogeochemical model development: the sensitivity of the ocean biological carbon pump to climate forcing is critical to project changing carbon feedbacks in the second half of the 21 st century, particularly in the Southern Ocean. For this fellowship the successful candidate will be a biogeochemical modeller, who will be responsible for model development through improved parameterisations of physiological processes for phytoplankton in coupled biogeochemical-physical models. This will be done based on experience in parameterisations for functional responses to multiple drivers. Observational data will be collected under varying conditions that will be used to derive and implement new relationships into numerical models.

• Initiate further independent research within the strategic objectives of the current programme;
• Assist with Master’s and Doctoral supervision of students in support of the SOCCO/UCT-Ma-Re human capital development mission;
• Lead, assist and supervise field data collection and model development;
• Contribute to the writing of numerous reviewed journal publications, and be the lead author of at least two.

• A Doctoral degree in Ocean CO 2 or biogeochemical modelling and/or observations, with experience in modelling;
• Experience in acquiring and processing large global data sets as well as running and analysing model outputs;

Overview

AFRIKAANS FLUENTLY, FRENCH WILL BE ADVANTAGE

Research & Development Manager Agricultural

Fertilizer Products

Springs, East Rand, Ekurhuleni

• Lead the development and formulation of new fertilizer products to enhance crop performance.
• Identify and evaluate new opportunities, conducting feasibility studies for projects and products.
• Define and implement an Research & Development roadmap aligned with business objectives and market trends.
• Apply scientific methods, design trial protocols, conduct and manage research projects, analyze trial data, and produce clear reports.
• Maintain strong documentation standards; develop and update SOPs.
• Oversee laboratory, greenhouse, and field trial activities, ensuring accurate execution and data integrity.
• Support the product registration process and troubleshoot technical production issues.
• Supervise daily laboratory operations, maintain safety, and promote continuous learning and innovation in the Research & Development team.
• Mentor and develop junior team members and allocate resources effectively.
• Manage Research & Development budgets and track project timelines, delivering world-class research aligned with latest agronomic and biotechnological trends.

• Master’s Degree in Biotechnology (Biochemistry, Microbiology, Plant Physiology) or Agronomy .
• At least 10 years experience in the agriculture sector .
• Minimum 5 years proven experience in team leadership.
• Good command of Afrikaans/English/French (advantageous).
• Strong analytical, planning, and time management skills.
• Advanced computer proficiency (MS Office and MS Project).
• Excellent verbal and written communicator, skilled in stakeholder engagement and presenting.
• Demonstrated innovation, adaptability, and strong professional ethics.
• Solid business and financial understanding with a focus on process improvement and achieving results.

Reference: PE -JD-1

The hiring organisation is a science-based organisation working to protect Africa’s seas and communities for the benefit of all who live on the continent. Their vision of success is a future where the people of Africa and her seas flourish together. Using waste as the lens, marine pollution as the impact the organisation works to mitigate, and the coastal communities of Africa as the focal point of interactions between land and ocean, the Research, Development and Monitoring impact portfolio works to design well-structured, high-quality research programmes to ensure comprehensive understanding of the challenges impeding sustainable waste management in identified coastal communities.

This position of Manager: Research, Development and Monitoring is based in Port Elizabeth, and is offered on a 12-month Fixed Term Contract basis. He/she is answerable to the Head of Marine and Coastal Impact Programmes.

S/he will ensure that sound research interventions underpin the design of all marine conservation interventions (training, skills transfer, capacity building, community upliftment, and enterprise development) and that the research outcomes directly inform all organisational strategic guidance and advice given (at both a national and regional scale) to support sustainable waste management. Lastly, s/he will be responsible for impact reporting within the organisation through the design of a robust organisational monitoring and evaluation framework.

This exciting programme has both a local focus and a national and regional focus across Africa.

• Coordinate research activities and build the organisational capacity on research techniques and methods (qualitative, quantitative, policy, etc.).
• Initiate, coordinate, and assist all activities across identified research projects as aligned with the organisational Theory of Change and strategy.
• Initiate, coordinate, and maintain effective relationships with identified researchers and research influencers.
• Assist and control the quality of all research projects across portfolios of work, including but not limited to research designs, methods, data management strategies, data analysis, and publication writing.
• Organise knowledge and skills sharing to increase organisational research capacity.
• Guide the design of all interventions to achieve organisational marine pollution, blue economy and ocean conservation objectives.
• Ensure all research activities align with international best practice with regards to research ethics and principles.
• Manage the finances of every aspect of the Research, Development and Monitoring Impact Portfolio, including preparing budgets and financial reporting, managing the training budget and monitoring monthly expenditure reports.
• Drive and oversee the development and update of NPO’s internal organisational Monitoring and Evaluation systems, analysing data and providing reporting as required to various stakeholders, including assisting other roles in the organisation with such.
• Work with other impact portfolios to ensure interventions are rolled out and reported on correctly.

At least a Masters’ degree in one of the environmental sciences a prerequisite.
At least seven (7) years’ proven experience in an appropriate discipline, and at least three (3) of these in a management role.
A proven successful track record in leading research teams and pioneering new research methods.
A good track record in research and writing, ideally writing reports, and professional publications (beyond science and peer reviewed publications).
Competence in statistics and at least a working knowledge of modelling and Artificial Intelligence.
Proven track record in developing and implementing strategic plans.
Ability to successfully work with and lead a team.
Valid driver’s license essential. Must be comfortable driving alone.
SA Citizen with a clean criminal record.

Has a passion for the sustainability agenda.
Is well organised and proactive.
Able to stay well-informed on the latest global developments on plastics (e.g. the Global Plastics Treaty), climate change, marine conservation, and education.
Has an excellent understanding of stakeholder engagement strategies.
Displays excellence in public speaking, presenting research plans and results.
Displays high attention to detail.

Location: Port Elizabeth - 100% in office.
Duration: Full-time 12-month fixed-term contract, with potential to renew for an additional 3 years.
Start date: As soon as possible.
Salary: Market related. No benefits.

Short listed candidates may be expected to complete and pass assessments before moving to the next stage of the recruitment process.
If you have not heard from us within two weeks of submitting your CV, please deem your application as unsuccessful.

The hiring organisation is a science-based organisation working to protect Africa’s seas and communities for the benefit of all who live on the continent. Their vision of success is a future where the people of Africa and her seas flourish together. Using waste as the lens, marine pollution as the impact the organisation works to mitigate, and the coastal communities of Africa as the focal point of interactions between land and ocean, the Research, Development and Monitoring impact portfolio works to design well-structured, high-quality research programmes to ensure comprehensive understanding of the challenges impeding sustainable waste management in identified coastal communities.

This position of Manager: Research, Development and Monitoring is based in Port Elizabeth, and is offered on a 12-month Fixed Term Contract basis. He/she is answerable to the Head of Marine and Coastal Impact Programmes.

S/he will ensure that sound research interventions underpin the design of all marine conservation interventions (training, skills transfer, capacity building, community upliftment, and enterprise development) and that the research outcomes directly inform all organisational strategic guidance and advice given (at both a national and regional scale) to support sustainable waste management. Lastly, s/he will be responsible for impact reporting within the organisation through the design of a robust organisational monitoring and evaluation framework.

• Coordinate research activities and build the organisational capacity on research techniques and methods (qualitative, quantitative, policy, etc.).
• Initiate, coordinate, and assist all activities across identified research projects as aligned with the organisational Theory of Change and strategy.
• Initiate, coordinate, and maintain effective relationships with identified researchers and research influencers.
• Assist and control the quality of all research projects across portfolios of work, including but not limited to research designs, methods, data management strategies, data analysis, and publication writing.
• Organise knowledge and skills sharing to increase organisational research capacity.
• Guide the design of all interventions to achieve organisational marine pollution, blue economy and ocean conservation objectives.
• Ensure all research activities align with international best practice with regards to research ethics and principles.
• Manage the finances of every aspect of the Research, Development and Monitoring Impact Portfolio, including preparing budgets and financial reporting, managing the training budget and monitoring monthly expenditure reports.
• Drive and oversee the development and update of NPO’s internal organisational Monitoring and Evaluation systems, analysing data and providing reporting as required to various stakeholders, including assisting other roles in the organisation with such.
• Work with other impact portfolios to ensure interventions are rolled out and reported on correctly.

• At least a Masters’ degree in one of the environmental sciences a prerequisite.
• At least seven (7) years’ proven experience in an appropriate discipline, and at least three (3) of these in a management role.
• A proven successful track record in leading research teams and pioneering new research methods.
• A good track record in research and writing, ideally writing reports, and professional publications (beyond science and peer reviewed publications).
• Competence in statistics and at least a working knowledge of modelling and Artificial Intelligence.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing strategic plans.
• Ability to successfully work with and lead a team.
• Valid driver’s license essential. Must be comfortable driving alone.
• SA Citizen with a clean criminal record.

• Has a passion for the sustainability agenda.
• Is well organised and proactive.
• Able to stay well-informed on the latest global developments on plastics (e.g. the Global Plastics Treaty), climate change, marine conservation, and education.
• Has an excellent understanding of stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Displays excellence in public speaking, presenting research plans and results.
• Displays high attention to detail.

Location: Port Elizabeth - 100% in office.
Duration: Full-time 12-month fixed-term contract, with potential to renew for an additional 3 years.
Start date: As soon as possible.
Salary: Market related. No benefits.