Principal Researcher/Engineer: Hydrogen and Power-to-X at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job: 

• The CSIR Energy Centre, within the Smart Places cluster, has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Researcher/Engineer to lead research, development, and innovation in hydrogen and Power-to-X technologies.
• The successful candidate will strengthen the Centre¿s capabilities in applied hydrogen research, techno-economic analysis, and strategic innovation to advance South Africas green hydrogen economy.
• The role involves leading multidisciplinary teams, engaging national and international partners, and supporting the country¿s clean energy transition through science and technology excellence. This position is based in Pretoria.

This position reports to Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

Research Leadership and Innovation

• Lead applied research and demonstration (RD&D) projects in green hydrogen, ammonia, and Power-to-X systems.
• Develop and implement techno-economic and policy models to support hydrogen integration into energy systems.
• Provide research direction on hydrogen and Power-to-X priorities across the Energy Centre.
• Publish technical reports, journal articles, and conference papers to advance thought leadership in the field.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory

• Provide strategic advisory services to public and private sector partners on hydrogen and clean energy transitions.
• Participate in national and regional working groups or expert panels on hydrogen and Power-to-X.
• Collaborate with government, industry, and international organisations to promote sustainable industrialisation.
• Mentor and train early-career researchers in hydrogen and renewable energy innovation.

Project and Business Development

• Manage contract research projects, ensuring delivery on scope, budget, and timelines.
• Prepare and submit research proposals to attract funding from public, private, and international clients.
• Build and maintain relationships with strategic partners, collaborators, and clients in the hydrogen ecosystem.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A degree in electrical, mechanical, or industrial engineering; mathematics; science; or economics with at least fifteen years experience in the energy sector, including five years in renewable energy project development, hydrogen technologies, or energy consulting.
• A masters or higher qualification in a relevant discipline would be added advantage.
• Proven leadership in techno-economic modelling, energy policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of energy transition strategies, green finance mechanisms, and public-private collaboration.
• Proficiency in advanced data analytics and modelling tools (e.g. Power BI, AWS Quicksight, TensorFlow, or similar).
• A strong professional network across the public and private sectors, with a track record in securing and managing contract R&D projects.
• Knowledge of the South African and African energy landscape is advantageous.
• All international qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).