CSIR principal researcher Dr David Motaung has been appointed as affiliated associate professor in physics at the University of the Free State.

With top marks for his Honours whilst studying at the University of Western Cape, Motaung responded to a CSIR call for Master’s students in 2007. He completed his Master’s that year and embarked on his PhD in 2009. He completed it in less than two years and graduated with eight publications.  Motaung joined the CSIR as a senior researcher and began his journey of supervising Master’s students. To date he has supervised six students, with another nine in progress. Motaung hopes that his appointment will enable him to help establish links between the CSIR and the University of the Free State.

Motaung’s work at the CSIR focuses on the development of nanodevices for gas sensing application using metal oxide nanostructured materials. He is currently a research group leader for gas sensors.

He says the acknowledgement shows that peers from outside his alma mater recognise his contribution to science and for him; it is validation that his work matters. Ultimately Motaung hopes that his new role will inspire students who share his background to realise that science is for all.