Position Title:  Key Technology Specialist: HySA Catalysis , Chemical Engineering (EBE)

KEY TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST - MEA

(5-Year Contract Post; Soft-Funded)

HySA Catalysis Centre of Competence in South Africa

Department of Chemical Engineering

Faculty Of Engineering and the Built Environment

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is one of the leading higher education institutions on the African continent. It embraces a tradition of academic excellence that is respected worldwide. The academic project remains at the heart of UCT’s mission, which is built on three pillars at the core of Vision 2030: excellence, transformation, and sustainability.

The Department of Chemical Engineering enjoys an international reputation in teaching and research and is actively committed to teaching and research. The undergraduate degree programme is accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Research is carried out in the areas of bioprocess engineering, catalysis and catalytic processing, engineering education, environmental systems and process systems engineering, minerals processing, precipitation and crystallisation, energy systems modelling, and sea ice. The Department enjoys strong, global industrial support for its teaching and research programmes, and maintains close links with the South African chemical, petrochemical, biotechnological and minerals industries. The Department hosts HySA Catalysis Centre of Competence that is responsible for research, technology development and innovation in the space of hydrogen technologies especially components for low temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and electrolysers.

The Centre invites applications for a Key Technology Specialist: Fuel Cell MEA and this appointment will be based at the University of Cape Town in Cape Town. This is a full-time 5-year contract with the possibility of renewal, subject to funding availability.

The successful incumbent will provide technical leadership and expertise for HySA Catalysis’ membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and catalyst development activities as well as establish and maintain world-class R&D laboratory processes.  As the technical expert, the incumbent will ensure technology know-how transfer to the project team members in the centre hub and its spokes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide technical leadership of the fuel cell MEA and catalyst research and technology development team to develop novel commercially viable products incorporating intellectual property generated by the team.
• Establish and lead the customizable MEA development from technology readiness levels, TRL 1 (concept) through TRL 6 (scale-up to lab prototype).
• Engage with industry and customers to understand market requirements and technical specifications and transfer these into technology development programmes and work plans.
• Integrate advanced technologies and South African innovations from R&D into future MEA products.
• Develop comprehensive local competence with the goal to contribute to and support domestic manufacturing in South Africa.
• Transfer internationally and locally recognized knowledge, skills and expertise to the HySA Community and provide mentorship to the HySA community.
• Assist with the business planning, the budgeting process and technical reporting requirements of all relevant projects.

Requirements for the position:

• MSc degree (or higher) in Engineering or closely relevant Science discipline.

• Minimum of five years’ relevant fuel cell industrial experience specifically in MEA and fuel cell development, at a mid-to-senior level.
• Proven track record of relevant experience in knowledge and understanding of PEMFC electrocatalyst and MEA development, preparation, fabrication, characterisation, and testing methodologies.
• Proven experience leading diverse technical teams in this field.
• Demonstrable ability to engage with a variety of stakeholders from academic, private and government sectors.
• Exceptional communication skills, customer service skills, project management skills, and relevant technical knowledge and skills.
• Ability to manage finances and be commercially oriented.

     The following will be advantageous:

• Experience in stack development.
• Research experience and sourcing funding.

The annual cost of employment, including benefits, ranges between R1, 273 271 and R1, 497 956.

To apply, please visit the UCT Internal Careers site (For Internal Applicants) and UCT Careers site (For external Applicants) to create a profile and submit your application.

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

• A 1-2 letter of motivation
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Certified copies of ID/passport and academic qualifications
• Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address, and telephone number

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

Any inquiries for this position are to be addressed to Ms Abigail Dixon at abigail.dixon@uct.ac.za or 021 650 1673. Please do not send or submit job application/CV via this e-mail.

Closing Date: 10 January 2025                                               Website: www.ebe.uct.ac.za

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 https://uct.ac.za/media/9482.

UCT reserves the right not to appoint.