Post-Doctoral Researcher: Artificial Intelligence at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About The Job

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Post-Doctoral Researcher in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Group within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting research and development in the Artificial Intelligence technologies. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead projects, research and investigations in AI or Machine Learning (ML) ;
• Provide leadership in formulating research, development and innovation (RD&I) strategies and road maps;
• Provide research direction to the Research Group on the long-term development of AI;
• Conduct advanced AI research and generate high quality papers and publish them in prestigious journals with good impact factor;
• Remain current on new AI techniques, methodologies and protocols, to understand latest technical details on new products and updates/revisions to existing products/services;
• Provide training on AI and related topics to all stakeholders (internal and external) when required;
• Formulate and contribute to research and development (R&D) funding proposals and develop relationships with collaborators in R&D around AI and related topics;
• Supervise/mentor junior colleagues, researchers, students and interns in the areas of expertise;
• Generate and contribute towards science, engineering and technology activity outputs e.g. reports, guidelines, system requirements;
• Initiate and supervise technical reports, expert studies and investigations, and presentations aimed at the relevant industries and research institutions and academia, locally and internationally.
• Lead projects, research and investigations in AI or Machine Learning (ML) ;
• Provide leadership in formulating research, development and innovation (RD&I) strategies and road maps;
• Provide research direction to the Research Group on the long-term development of AI;
• Conduct advanced AI research and generate high quality papers and publish them in prestigious journals with good impact factor;
• Remain current on new AI techniques, methodologies and protocols, to understand latest technical details on new products and updates/revisions to existing products/services;
• Provide training on AI and related topics to all stakeholders (internal and external) when required;
• Formulate and contribute to research and development (R&D) funding proposals and develop relationships with collaborators in R&D around AI and related topics;
• Supervise/mentor junior colleagues, researchers, students and interns in the areas of expertise;
• Generate and contribute towards science, engineering and technology activity outputs e.g. reports, guidelines, system requirements;
• Initiate and supervise technical reports, expert studies and investigations, and presentations aimed at the relevant industries and research institutions and academia, locally and internationally.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Doctoral degree in electronic/computer engineering, computer science or a related field;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA);
• Demonstrated experience in conducting quality research in AI/ML (deep, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, optimization, and theory);
• Experience in AI technologies and its applications, including related programming languages and software tools;
• Experience in conducting and supervising studies related to AI technologies or related fields;
• Experience in project management and funds acquisition would be advantageous;
• Experience in presenting and communicating research approaches, concepts and outcomes at conferences or industry forums;
• Strong applied mathematical skills in one or more of the following disciplines:

1. Discrete mathematics;
2. Mathematical modelling;
3. Optimization theory;
4. Probability;
5. Statistics; or
6. Theoretical computer science;

• Good record of accomplishment and recognition for quality research outputs and advanced concept implementation;
• Familiar with several aspects of the software development lifecycle, including architecture, design, implementation, and testing;
• Knowledge of modern development, integration, testing and deployment environments would be advantageous;
• Ability to create clear and accurate technical and analytical reports;
• Ability to analyse data obtained from different sources;
• Ability to work as part of a team, as a key member, influencing decisions and reacting positively to challenges;
• Strong organization and analytical skills;
• Demonstrated skills in: analytical thinking, flexibility and adaptability, investigative orientation, planning and organising, problem solving, verbal and written communication, teamwork, self-management (planning, prioritising and time management – includes the ability to work independently), systems level thinking, multi-disciplinary knowledge.