Do you have a fresh PhD and want to start a research career now? Mintek is hiring two post‑doctoral fellows for 2026, and the deadline is only a few weeks away.
What the opportunity is
Mintek, the national science council for mineral and metallurgical research, offers two fixed‑term Postdoctoral Research Fellow posts (Grade AO3) at its Randburg campus, Gauteng. The roles focus on cutting‑edge work in chemical engineering and bioinformatics, supporting projects in hydrometallurgy, bioleaching and computational biology.
Who can apply – eligibility
- Chemical Engineering: PhD in Chemical Engineering (or final corrections). A BSc Eng or BEng is required. Experience in hydrometallurgy, fluid flow, mass‑transfer or reaction kinetics.
- Bioinformatics: PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or a related field (or final corrections). Proven bioinformatics and omics‑data analysis experience.
Both positions require South African citizenship or permanent residency, and the ability to arrange your own accommodation and transport to Mintek.
What you gain – benefits and skills
- Market‑related, negotiable salary (Grade AO3).
- Hands‑on experience in leaching technologies, process modelling, or computational pipelines.
- Opportunities to publish research, present at conferences and contribute to intellectual‑property creation.
- Mentoring of junior researchers and building capacity in a multidisciplinary team.
- Employment‑equity consideration as an equal‑opportunity employer.
How to apply – step‑by‑step
- Gather the required documents:
- Updated CV (include personal details, qualifications, research projects, publications, skills, referees).
- Academic transcripts and copies of all degrees.
- Doctoral certificate or a university letter confirming that you have fulfilled the PhD requirements.
- Cover letter explaining why you want the role, how your PhD relates to Mintek’s work, and your key achievements.
- Two reference letters, one must be from your PhD supervisor.
- Log on to Mintek’s recruitment portal.
- Choose the vacancy:
- Upload all documents and complete the online questionnaire.
- Submit before the closing date: 14 August 2026.
Tips to improve your chances
- Tailor your CV to highlight relevant leaching, modelling or bioinformatics projects.
- Include any peer‑reviewed papers, conference talks or patents.
- Show examples of teamwork, problem‑solving and ability to work under pressure – these are listed as behavioural competencies.
- Proofread your cover letter; make it clear how your research aligns with Mintek’s focus areas.
- Ask your referees to submit their letters promptly, preferably before the deadline.
- Be prepared for psychometric testing if you are shortlisted.
Next steps
Apply early to avoid last‑minute issues with references or document collection. Even if you do not hear back within a month after the deadline, treat the experience as valuable practice for future applications. Good luck, and take the first step toward a research career with Mintek today.
