Mintek invites suitably qualified doctoral graduates to apply for two Postdoctoral Research Fellow opportunities in Chemical Engineering and Bioinformatics for 2026.
Vacancy Application Closing Date: 14 August 2026
Vacancy Location: Mintek, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Mintek Postdoctoral Research Fellow Vacancies 2026
Mintek is recruiting two Postdoctoral Research Fellows to join its scientific research and development programmes in Randburg.
The available opportunities are:
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Chemical Engineering
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Bioinformatics
Both positions are fixed-term contracts at Grade AO3 and offer market-related, negotiable remuneration.
Successful candidates will contribute to advanced research in hydrometallurgy, bioleaching, biometallurgy, computational biology and metallurgical process development.
Vacancy Overview
Employer: Mintek
Industry: Scientific Research and Development
Job category: Laboratory Work
Number of opportunities: Two
Contract type: Fixed-term contract
Grade: AO3
Remuneration: Market-related and negotiable
Employment Equity positions: Yes
Location: Randburg, Gauteng
Closing date: 14 August 2026
Application method: Online
Available Postdoctoral Research Opportunities
| Position | Reference number | Minimum qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Chemical Engineering | minte_000441 | PhD in Chemical Engineering |
| Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Bioinformatics | minte_000440 | PhD in Bioinformatics or a related field |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Chemical Engineering
Listing reference: minte_000441
Location: Randburg, Gauteng
Contract: Fixed-term contract
Grade: AO3
Salary package: Negotiable
The Chemical Engineering Postdoctoral Research Fellow will conduct research in chemical and biological percolation leaching.
The successful candidate will contribute to the development and optimisation of metallurgical processes used to treat low-grade ores and mine waste.
The role involves experimental and theoretical research, process modelling, technology development and collaboration with multidisciplinary research teams.
Chemical Engineering Research Focus
The successful candidate will conduct research in areas such as:
- Chemical percolation leaching.
- Biological percolation leaching.
- Heap leaching.
- Vat leaching.
- Hydrodynamics.
- Mass transfer.
- Reaction kinetics.
- Hydrometallurgy.
- Biometallurgy.
- Low-grade ore treatment.
- Mine-waste treatment.
- Metallurgical process optimisation.
Chemical Engineering Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Conducting experimental research on percolation leaching processes.
- Conducting theoretical studies involving heap and vat leaching.
- Investigating hydrodynamics, mass transfer and reaction kinetics.
- Designing laboratory-scale test work.
- Executing and interpreting experimental programmes.
- Improving the understanding of metallurgical processes.
- Supporting technology development and scale-up.
- Developing new research ideas and methodologies.
- Analysing experimental data.
- Supporting process modelling and prediction.
- Optimising leaching performance.
- Preparing research proposals.
- Contributing to scientific publications.
- Presenting research at conferences.
- Supporting intellectual-property development.
- Mentoring junior researchers.
- Participating in collaborative research programmes.
- Managing research activities according to SHEQ requirements.
Chemical Engineering Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have:
- A PhD in Chemical Engineering.
- A BSc Engineering or BEng undergraduate degree.
- Demonstrated experience in hydrometallurgy.
- Knowledge of fluid flow in heterogeneous systems.
- Knowledge of mass-transfer processes.
- Knowledge of reaction kinetics.
- Strong research and analytical capabilities.
Applicants completing final corrections to their doctoral thesis may also be considered.
Advantageous Chemical Engineering Experience
The following experience will be beneficial:
- Percolation leaching.
- Heap leaching.
- Vat leaching.
- Biometallurgy.
- Process modelling.
- Machine learning.
- Data-driven modelling.
- Peer-reviewed research publications.
- Metallurgical technology development.
- Laboratory-scale process development.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Bioinformatics
Listing reference: minte_000440
Location: Randburg, Gauteng
Contract: Fixed-term contract
Grade: AO3
Salary package: Negotiable
The Bioinformatics Postdoctoral Research Fellow will provide computational biology and bioinformatics expertise to support research involving bioleaching and biological sulfate-reducing systems.
The successful candidate will analyse and integrate molecular, microbiological and metallurgical data to improve process understanding and support technology development.
Bioinformatics Research Focus
The successful candidate will work in areas such as:
- Bioinformatics.
- Computational biology.
- Bioleaching.
- Biological sulfate-reducing systems.
- Microbial ecology.
- Metagenomics.
- Genomics.
- Molecular biology.
- Biostatistics.
- Sequencing-data analysis.
- Omics-data integration.
- Metallurgical process research.
Bioinformatics Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Developing bioinformatics pipelines.
- Analysing 16S rRNA gene data.
- Analysing metagenomic datasets.
- Analysing whole-genome sequencing data.
- Developing analytical workflows.
- Validating new analytical methods.
- Implementing standard operating procedures.
- Integrating molecular and microbiological information.
- Combining biological and metallurgical process data.
- Supporting research and technology-development projects.
- Contributing new research ideas.
- Preparing research proposals.
- Developing technical solutions.
- Contributing to scientific publications.
- Presenting research at conferences.
- Supporting collaborative research programmes.
- Mentoring postgraduate students.
- Mentoring junior researchers.
- Building bioinformatics capacity within the division.
- Managing research according to SHEQ requirements.
- Following good research and data-management practices.
Bioinformatics Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have a PhD in one of the following fields:
- Bioinformatics.
- Computational Biology.
- Microbiology.
- Molecular Biology.
- Biotechnology.
- A related scientific discipline.
Applicants completing final corrections to their doctoral thesis may also be considered.
Candidates must also have:
- Demonstrated bioinformatics experience.
- Experience analysing omics datasets.
- Experience with computational analysis.
- Knowledge of microbial ecology.
- Knowledge of metagenomics.
- Knowledge of genomics.
- A foundation in biostatistics.
- Data-analysis skills.
- An understanding of molecular biology techniques.
- Knowledge of sequencing technologies.
Bioinformatics Tools and Technical Experience
Applicants should have experience with:
- Bioinformatics pipelines.
- Workflow-management tools.
- Nextflow or a similar platform.
- Sequence-data processing.
- Statistical analysis.
- Biological-data integration.
- Scientific programming.
- Omics-data analysis.
- Research data management.
Applicants should list relevant software, programming languages and analytical tools in their CVs.
Behavioural Competencies
Candidates for both positions should demonstrate:
- Strong teamwork.
- Interest in varied research activities.
- Ability to plan new research projects.
- Ability to execute high-impact research.
- Passion for scientific research.
- Interest in technology development.
- Interest in technology transfer.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work in a demanding environment.
- Ability to manage pressure.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Scientific curiosity.
- Willingness to travel locally.
- Willingness to travel internationally.
Application Documents Required
Applications for either position must include:
- A comprehensive and updated CV.
- Complete academic records.
- Details of research experience.
- A list of publications.
- Details of research and development outputs.
- A copy of the doctoral certificate.
- A university letter confirming that PhD requirements have been completed, where the certificate is not yet available.
- A cover letter motivating the application.
- Two reference or support letters.
At least one reference letter must be from the applicant’s PhD supervisor.
What to Include in the CV
The comprehensive CV should include:
- Personal and contact details.
- Academic qualifications.
- Doctoral research title.
- Research interests.
- Laboratory or computational experience.
- Research projects.
- Peer-reviewed publications.
- Conference presentations.
- Research and development outputs.
- Software and technical skills.
- Teaching or mentoring experience.
- Professional memberships.
- Contact details for referees.
Cover Letter Requirements
The cover letter should explain:
- Why the applicant is interested in the position.
- How the doctoral research relates to Mintek’s work.
- Relevant technical and research experience.
- Key research achievements.
- Publication and conference experience.
- How the applicant will contribute to the research team.
- The applicant’s interest in technology development and transfer.
Accommodation and Travel Arrangements
Successful candidates will be responsible for arranging:
- Their own accommodation close to Mintek.
- Their own daily transport to and from Mintek.
Applicants should consider these requirements before accepting an appointment.
The positions may also require local and international travel for research, conferences or collaborative programmes.
Psychometric Testing
Shortlisted or successful candidates must be willing to undergo psychometric testing.
The testing may form part of Mintek’s recruitment and selection process.
How to Apply for the Mintek Chemical Engineering Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026
Applications must be submitted through the official Mintek recruitment portal.
Click here to apply for the Mintek Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Chemical Engineering vacancy 2026
Use the following reference when applying:
Listing reference: minte_000441
How to Apply for the Mintek Bioinformatics Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026
Applications must be submitted through the official Mintek recruitment portal.
Click here to apply for the Mintek Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Bioinformatics vacancy 2026
Use the following reference when applying:
Listing reference: minte_000440
Applicants interested in both opportunities should submit a separate application for each position.
Vacancy Application Closing Date
Applications for both positions close on 14 August 2026.
Applicants should submit complete applications early to allow enough time to obtain academic records and reference letters.
Application Outcome
Applicants who do not receive feedback within one month after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
Only shortlisted candidates are likely to be contacted.
Employment Equity
Mintek is an equal-opportunity and affirmative-action employer.
The organisation aims to improve representivity across all occupational levels and categories.
Appointments may be made in accordance with Mintek’s Employment Equity objectives.
Important Application Advice
Before applying, confirm that:
- You have completed or are completing final corrections for an eligible PhD.
- Your undergraduate qualification meets the requirements of the selected position.
- Your CV includes research experience and publications.
- Your complete academic record is attached.
- Your doctoral certificate or confirmation letter is included.
- Your motivation letter is attached.
- Two reference letters are included.
- One reference letter is from your PhD supervisor.
- You are willing to undergo psychometric testing.
- You can arrange your own accommodation and transport.
- Your application is submitted by 14 August 2026.
About Mintek
Mintek is a South African science council specialising in mineral and metallurgical research, development and technology.
Its research programmes support mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, biotechnology, analytical science and the development of technologies for the minerals and mining industries.