Research Centre Manager: Photonics

SUMMARY:
The incumbent will be responsible for leading the Company''s Photonics Centre which aims to develop novel, innovative photonics technologies and solutions that enable industry and ultimately benefit the society we live in.

POSITION INFO:

 Research Centre Manager: Photonics

Research Centre Manager: Photonics

About the job:

Our Client has a vacancy for a Research Centre Manager in the Manufacturing Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for leading the Company''s Photonics Centre which aims to develop novel, innovative photonics technologies and solutions that enable industry and ultimately benefit the
society we live in. The Centre Manager will be required to have a strategic view of the photonics sector informed by global trends, market opportunities, industry needs and drivers of competitiveness. The role requires the provision of strategic Research Development and Innovation
leadership that enables industry growth and competitiveness through the development, commercialisation and market penetration/delivery of organizational offerings and technologies. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

 Lead strategic Research Development and Innovation by:

• Deep  awareness  of  global  trends  and  market  opportunities  for current  and  new technologies in the Photonics sector.
• Strong  understanding  of  the  drivers  of  success  for  the  Photonics  industry  and  how technology enables industry competitiveness.
• Develop strategic relationships with key industry role players (local and international) to understand industry and market needs.
• Develop and implement a relevant Research Development and Innovation strategy and business plan that enables industry competitiveness and positions  organizational technologies for market penetration and commercialization.
• Enable the delivery of integrated, innovative, high-value world class technologies and solutions that enables a competitive industry.
• Active capability management that prioritises and optimises the development of relevant, world class technologies, offerings, and capabilities.
• Appropriate investment of Parliamentary  Grant  and  other  grant-funded  projects  and industry programmes.
• Collaborate and establish partnerships with other organisation, industry, research institute and higher education  institute  to  harness  existing  capabilities/technologies  where  required and appropriate.
• Maintain appropriate balance of industry outputs/outcomes and applied/basic research activities/outputs.
• Stakeholder Engagement, Business  Development  and  Commercialisation  that  will  enable market access and penetration of company’s technologies and offerings through:
• Establish strategic partnerships with the local and international Photonics industry.
• Identification and prioritisation of market and industry opportunities/requirements.
• Position current technologies/offerings as well as develop relevant future technologies/offerings for the growth and success of industry.
• Work  with  business  development  and  commercialisation  teams  to  secure  local  and international opportunities and industry investment.
• Work with business development and commercialisation teams to grow the portfolio of technologies commercialized.
• Lead technical teams to ensure development and delivery of technologies/solutions to industry.
• Work closely  with  government  stakeholders  to  communicate  and  shape  the  organisation
• strategy as well as secure large RDI programmes and/or stable grants from Government departments or agencies.

 Establish strategic Human Capital Development and critical infrastructure investment by:

• Ensure  the  development,  recruitment,  and retention  of  relevant,  high  quality science,
• Engineering  and  Technology  professionals  to  form  high  performance  teams  that will enable the strategic positioning and growth of the Photonics Research Centre.
• Enable  demographic  transformation  of  the  Photonics  Centre  in  line  with  national objectives.
• Establish  HCD  collaborations  and  networks  and  national/international  HCD  alliances where appropriate and necessary.
• Establish  and  maintaining  critical  infrastructure  relevant  to  the  achievement  of  the objectives of the Photonics Centre.
• Secure funding for the advancement and growth of the infrastructure portfolio.

Management of  the  research centre by being accountable  for financial sustainability, operations, performance, compliance to health and safety standards as well as the establishment of quality initiatives where required.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Doctoral degree in science or engineering or any related to Photonics.
• At least ten years’ experience in the field of Photonics including the following:  Deep knowledge and product development experience in at least one Photonics related market segment.
• A track record of working with the Photonics industry.
• A track record of understanding industry requirements and translation to  conceptualization and delivery of complex Photonics solutions.
• A track record of Photonics product development.
• A strong technical track record in a Photonics related discipline including publications and technology outputs.
• Exposure to business development and commercialisation activities in Photonics.
• Strategic leadership of R&D teams.
• General management experience in a complex R&D environment including dimensions of financial management and people management.

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