Chief Researcher - Pretoria at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Chief Researcher: Sustainable Mobility within the Smart Mobility Cluster. The Smart Mobility Cluster of the CSIR addresses challenges and opportunities associated with transport systems and operations, infrastructure, transport operations, and logistics management in support of industrial and sustainable development. This position is based in Pretoria, South Africa.

About the Smart Mobility Cluster:

The CSIR’s Smart Mobility addresses challenges and opportunities associated with transport systems and operations, infrastructure, transport operations, and logistics management in support of Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, the Cluster is made up of two impact areas, namely Transport Systems and Operations; and Transport Infrastructure Engineering. The Transport Systems and Operations Impact Area develops science, engineering and technology led solutions to leapfrog the performance of transport system operations in support of sustainable development, including passenger transport, business logistics, transport safety, and infrastructure management systems. The Transport Infrastructure Engineering Impact Area strives to effectively and efficiently deliver practical, innovative, knowledge-based solutions addressing the infrastructure needs of the transport sector. Furthermore, the area plays a leading role in the development, application and transfer of processes and technologies for the design, construction, maintenance and management of transport infrastructure, including infrastructure design, construction and maintenance, assessment of material and pavement behaviour, and performance modelling.

Key responsibilities:

• Conceptualise, structure, manage and implement large and impactful research projects nationally, regionally and internationally to advance sustainable mobility research and innovation;
• Formulate national and international research and innovation strategies in collaboration with global partners;
• Provide thought leadership in sustainable mobility research and innovation;
• Contribute to the development of appropriate mobility policies nationally and globally;
• Contribute to the development of appropriate technologies, and their commercialisation, in support of sustainable mobility;
• Attract sufficient funding, locally and internationally, for large teams of researchers and support staff;
• Network both nationally and internationally, and interact with stakeholders within relevant domains, to develop long-term relationships that advance sustainable mobility research, development and innovation;
• Provide technical and strategic leadership and mentorship to staff by ensuring quality scientific outputs and deepening of professional development and scientific capacity;
• Promote a culture of scientific, engineering and technological excellence; and
• Raise personal, team and institutional profiles through publishing original research and presenting work at national and international conferences and workshops.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A PhD degree in engineering, economics, or related field. A Masters qualification may be acceptable for highly experienced candidates on a journey to completing a PhD degree.

15 years technical leadership experience in at least one of the following fields:

• Infrastructure economics
• Passenger transport
• Transport infrastructure engineering
• Transport safety
• Materials testing and design
• Transport modelling
• Intelligent transport systems
• Experience with the successful coordination of high impact collaborations between research and industry;
• A track record in attracting and securing funding to support multidisciplinary teams of researchers/practitioners and support staff;
• Outstanding technical record over a ten-to-fifteen-year period, including high impact publications and technical reports;
• Track record in the development of policies and/or industry standards;
• Registration with a relevant professional body;
• Excellent understanding of global mobility and technology trends;
• Ability to lead the development of newer technologies that would benefit South Africa and their localisation where relevant;
• Having a rating with the National Research Foundation will be advantageous;
• Track record in successful patenting will be advantageous;
• Ability to innovate and generate new knowledge;
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills;
• Ability to continuously disseminate research, development and innovation outputs;
• Must have excellent communication, presentation and writing skills;
• Must have the ability to work accurately, efficiently and independently as well as in a team;
• Ability to work in a methodical manner is essential;
• Ability to carry out strategic stakeholder interactions at all levels;
• Ability to effectively present ideas, concepts, plan and procedures; and
• Demonstrated track record of the ability to work accurately, independently and efficiently.

Closing date: 17 November 2023