We are excited to announce that we have several positions available!
These opportunities span postdoctoral, research assistant, and field-based roles, bringing together expertise in geology, geochemistry, structural analysis, and emerging data- and AI-driven research methods. The programme focuses on advancing understanding of one of the world’s most significant mineral systems, with strong links to industry and applied research outcomes.
Short-term appointment: Mapping Geologist (Research Associate)
We are seeking an experienced field geologist, preferably holding an MSc degree in Geology or a related field, for a 5.5-month Research Associate position funded by the BUGEMET (Bushveld Geology and Metallogeny) research programme at the School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The successful candidate will undertake detailed geological mapping in selected areas of the eastern Bushveld Complex that are critical for understanding the emplacement mechanism of the complex, its crystallization and solidification history, and particularly the processes responsible for the formation of its platinum-group element and chromite reefs.
The work will involve systematic field mapping, careful documentation of stratigraphic relationships, and integration of field observations with existing geological and mining data. The project will focus on key exposures that provide important constraints on the origin and development of the Bushveld layered sequence and its mineralized horizons.
This position is particularly suitable for a geologist with strong field mapping experience and a research interest in layered intrusions, structural geology, and/or magmatic ore deposits. This position may be particularly attractive to early-career geologists seeking intensive field experience in one of the world’s most important layered intrusions.
A valid driving licence (Code B or greater) is essential, and the candidate must be able to work independently in the field under typical field conditions.
The position is fully funded for 5.5 months and will be based at the University of the Witwatersrand, with substantial fieldwork in the eastern Bushveld Complex.
Supervisor: Prof. Rais Latypov, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand
Industry leader: Wimpie Britz (Valterra Platinum)
How to apply
Applicants must submit a single PDF document comprising:
Applications should be emailed to both: rais.latypov@wits.ac.za and kofi-anan.mkumla@wits.ac.za
Please indicate the project title in the subject line of the email.
Application deadline: 15 April 2026
Shortlisted candidates will be expected to participate in a virtual interview in May 2026. Ideally, the successful candidate will be available to start in June 2026.
We invite applications from all eligible candidates. Candidates who meet most, but not necessarily all, of the listed criteria are encouraged to apply. For additional information regarding the position, please contact the primary supervisor via email.
Prof. Rais Latypov, BUGEMET Research Chair, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Two Research Assistant Positions: Bushveld Knowledge Base & AI‑Assisted Research (RAG)
Project focus: Bushveld Igneous Complex
Duration: 12 months (with possible extension)
Start date: Flexible (target: June 2026)
Affiliation: University of the Witwatersrand / BUGEMET research group
Location: On-site (Wits University, Johannesburg)
Salary: ~R350,000 per year (each position), MSc – PhD level (in progress or completed)
Project Description We invite applications for two related Research Assistant positions supporting an innovative project at the intersection of Bushveld igneous petrology/economic geology and modern data- and AI-assisted research methods. The project will build a comprehensive digital knowledge base (“Knowledge Atlas”) of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, integrating published literature, theses, technical reports, maps, and curated geochemical datasets, and will underpin a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) workflow designed for fast, source-grounded retrieval and synthesis of existing scientific knowledge. The long-term goal is to enable researchers and newcomers to answer structured questions (e.g., stratigraphy, mineralogy, mineral chemistry, competing interpretations, unresolved problems) in minutes rather than weeks, while maintaining transparent traceability to original sources.
Positions and Supervision Applicants should indicate clearly which position they are applying for (or whether they wish to be considered for both). Position A: Geoscience Research Assistant (Bushveld Knowledge Curation & Geological QA) Supervisor: Prof. Rais Latypov Primary focus: Geological validation, controlled terminology/stratigraphic context, geochemical dataset curation, and quality assurance of extracted knowledge.
Position B: Computational Research Assistant (OCR, Corpus Engineering, Data Pipelines, RAG Workflow and LLM for knowledge extraction) Supervisor: Prof. Glen T. Nwaila Primary focus: Corpus ingestion, OCR/text normalization, metadata standards, indexing/retrieval workflow, benchmarking, and reproducible pipeline implementation and front-end retrieval API.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Shared responsibilities (both positions):
Position A: Geoscience RA (Bushveld curation & geological QA):
Position B: Computational RA (corpus engineering, pipelines & RAG workflow):
Required Qualifications
Position A: Geoscience RA
Position B: Computational RA
Desirable Skills
Position A: Geoscience RA
Position B: Computational RA
Application Procedure
Applicants should submit one PDF containing: 1.CV (including publication list if applicable)2.Motivation letter (1–2 pages)3.Certified academic transcript4.Names and contact details of three referees
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to complete a short practical exercise reflecting real project tasks (e.g., metadata capture, OCR/text cleaning, simple dataset structuring).
Closing date: 15 April 2026
Expected interview period: May 2026
Enquiries / Submission
For enquiries and submission details please contact: Prof. Rais Latypov (Position A; project coordination); email: Rais.Latypov@wits.ac.za Prof. Glen T. Nwaila (Position B; computational workflow supervision); glen.nwaila@wits.ac.za School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand
Postdoctoral position on the Bushveld Complex, South Africa
We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher to undertake a postdoctoral research project on the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. Ideally, the candidate should have a background in geoscience and a strong understanding of structural geology, igneous petrology, geochemistry, and economic geology. The candidate will be based in the School of Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and will join a vibrant cohort of existing MSc and PhD students and Postdoctoral Fellows as well as actively communicate with senior researchers and industry members of the multi-disciplinary research team.
The research project will be funded through the BUGEMET (Bushveld Geology and Metallogeny) Chair that has been recently established in the School of Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand to advance our understanding of the geology and metallogeny of the Bushveld Complex, aimed at improving exploration, discovery, and economic extraction of its world-class mineralization. The BUGEMET Project is supported by five platinum and chromium companies (Sibanye-Stillwater, AngloPlatinum, Northam, African Rainbow Minerals, and Dwarsrivier). The BUGEMET strategic objectives encompass three key areas: conducting cutting-edge research on the Bushveld Complex, contributing to the development of qualified geoscientists, and raising public awareness about the significance of geology and mineral deposits.
The School of Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand is an acknowledged leader in the applied research and training of graduates for the mineral resources sector in South Africa and beyond. The School hosts petrographic and geochemical instrumentation/laboratories including: full section scanning microscopes, a Tescan automated mineral analyzer, electron probe microanalyzer, several quadrupole ICPMSs, a LA-SF-ICPMS setup dedicated to U-Pb age dating and trace element analysis, as well as Africa’s only multidisciplinary isotope facility that includes an ultraclean, metal-free laboratory as well as a collision cell MC-SF-ICPMS and a thermal ionization mass spectrometer for analysis of a wide range of isotopic compositions. The School also hosts the only virtual SIMS laboratory in Africa, in collaboration with the Helmholtz GeoForschungZentrum (GFZ) in Potsdam, Germany. Along with this geochemical equipment, the School has field-based structural and geophysical equipment including magnetometers, a gravimeter, resistivity and seismic arrays, several drones, a variety of geophysical and 3D modelling software systems, mapping tablets, GPS instruments, and core-logging facilities.
Postdoctoral project: ‘The structure, evolution and significance of the Northern and Southern GAPs in the western Bushveld Complex’
The Bushveld Complex represents the world’s largest layered mafic intrusion and hosts globally significant deposits of platinum-group elements, chromium, and vanadium. Within the western limb of the complex occur two remarkable geological structures — the Northern and Southern Gap Areas — where the Upper Zone appears to have eroded through much of the underlying layered sequence, locally down to the floor rocks of the complex. These Gap Areas represent some of the most enigmatic geological features of the Bushveld Complex and play a key role in understanding the emplacement and evolution of the Upper Zone. Their origin has long been debated, largely due to the limited exposure and complex geological relationships within these regions. Recent field observations in the western Bushveld Complex have revealed transgressive relationships between Upper Zone ferrogabbros and the underlying Critical Zone rocks, including erosive contacts and chilled margins that indicate large-scale magmatic erosion and emplacement processes. These observations provide new insights into
the dynamics of magma replenishment and the evolution of the Bushveld magma chamber as well as the origin of its platinum/chromite reefs. This postdoctoral project aims to develop a comprehensive geological model for the formation and evolution of the Northern and Southern Gap Areas, integrating field observations, petrography, geochemistry, structural analysis, and geophysical data.
Key research questions
Methodology
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Rais Latypov, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand. Industry leader: Paula Preston (Northam Platinum).
How to apply
The position is fully funded for 2 years and includes a competitive tax-free postdoctoral fellowship stipend in accordance with the University of the Witwatersrand guideline (Johannesburg, South Africa).
Applicants must submit a single PDF document comprising:
Application should be emailed to both: rais.latypov@wits.ac.za and kofi-anan.mkumla@wits.ac.za.
Please indicate the project title in the subject line of the email. Application should be emailed by 30 April 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be expected to participate in a virtual interview in May 2026. Ideally successful applicants will be available to start in July/August 2026. We invite applications from all eligible candidates. For more information related to the positions, please contact a primary supervisor via email.
Closing Date: 30 April 2026
Prof. Rais Latypov, BUGEMET Research Chair School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersran, South Africa,