Senior Scientist / Engineer: Fuel Cell Catalyst R&D
Listing reference: minte_000407
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 19 March 2026
Position summary
Industry: Scientific, Research & Development
Job category: Chemical Engineering
Location: Randburg
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: No
Introduction
The incumbent will form part of a team developing PGM electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cell and electrolyser applications. Extensive experience in fuel cell electrocatalyst development as well as MEA fabrication is a requirement. Knowledge of electrochemistry, electrochemical processes technology, precious metals heterogeneous catalysis, or electrocatalyst preparation will be an advantage.
Job description
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
- Develop electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cell applications.
- Conduct electrochemical & physicochemical analyses of electrocatalysts.
- Contribute to PEM electrocatalyst research within team.
- Undertake pilot production of electrocatalyst products.
- Develop electrocatalysts with a view towards improving key performance and durability metrics.
- Prepare MEAs with in-house manufactured and other commercially available catalysts via a range offabrication techniques.
- Oversee research to develop new state-of-the-art electrocatalysts & production methods for high volume catalyst production.
- Evaluate MEAs within single cells and stacks via a number of industry standard protocols.
- Regularly prepare intellectual property declarations for submission to NIPMO.
- Actively drive the technology transfer of HySA fuel cell products for commercialisation with HySA commercial partners.
- Identify opportunities for technology development and commercialisation.
- Keep up-to-date at a professional level with technology and business developments that are relevant to the division’s interests.
- Strong technical report writing abilities.
- Actively participate in the training, guidance and motivation of junior staff. Participate in team debates and technical decisions.
- Produce professional reports, papers and presentations at local and international conferences.
- Ensure that projects are executed on time and within budget.
- Develop annual fuel cell catalyst manufacturing scale-up plans aligned to long term organisational plan and contribute to implementation of organisational strategy.
- Identify resources, i.e. capital, facilities and equipment’s, etc. between functions (fuel cell catalyst, membrane electrode assemblies (MEA), stacks and fuel cell systems) and business areas.
- Design operational structure aligned to the business and divisional work plan.
- Ensure that SHEQ procedures are strictly adhered to and that project work is executed with maximum overall technical efficiency.
- Demonstrate through behaviour the values and vision of Mintek.
Minimum requirements
JOB KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in fuel cell catalyst R&D space
- Demonstrable extensive knowledge and understanding of fuel cell electrochemistry and electrochemical techniques.
- Heterogeneous catalyst preparation and scale up
- MEA fabrication methods
- MEA testing methods
- Knowledge or experience with SHEQ systems
- Must be computer literate
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum: MSc Chemistry or Chemical engineering with 3 years fuel cell industry experience
- Ideally: PhD Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES
- Be able to work in a team
- Excellent communication, presentation and organisational skills
- Attention to detail, ability to follow up and take initiative