A postdoctoral fellow position is available at the School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering at the North-West University. The prospective candidate should be able to conduct research independently, document and publish research findings within the School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering. As a postdoctoral research fellow in the nanotechnology and environmental engineering research group, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of novel technologies and processes for waste biomass valorisation, synthesis of nanocellulose, and cellulose adsorbents, with the goal of applying economically viable and sustainable solutions to wastewater treatment and removal of sulphur organic compounds from liquid fuels.

• Relevant PhD degree obtained within five years before the appointment as a postdoctoral fellow.
• Record of publications.
• Excellent communications skills and team-work ability.

The prospective candidate should possess a strong background in chemical engineering or a related field, and have sufficient experience in the following:

• conducting research on isolation of cellulose nanocrystals and cellulose adsorbents from lignocellulosic biomass,
• removing micropollutants from wastewater and sulphur organic compounds from liquid fuels using green adsorbents,
• conducting physicochemical analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersion X-ray and so on,
• using machine learning tools such as adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and artificial neural network (ANN) for modelling and predicting processes,
• supervising/ mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students

ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO:

Prof Kapil Moothi – Kapil.Moothi@nwu.ac.za

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO:   

Mrs Fadilha Minty 018 285 2120

CLOSING DATE: 30 April 2025

COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: As soon as possible 

Kindly take note: applications may only be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website.

Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The University subscribes to and applies the principles of the Employment Equity Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the aforementioned Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan. 

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.