Senior Researcher: Hydrogeology at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Researcher in the Smart Places Cluster within the Water Center. The incumbent will conduct research in the hydrological field as it relates to the hydrological modeling and understanding of hydrological impacts of land-use changes. Particular focus will be on hydrological (surface water) modeling in support of resource quantity and quality assessments and techniques to promote smart water use, including the development of high-quality and commecialisable/implementable technical outputs. This position is based in Pretoria.

About the Smart Places Cluster

The CSIR, with its rich multidisciplinary science, engineering and technology base – in climate change, environmental sciences, energy, water, building science, spatial planning and cleaner production – is ideally positioned to contribute to smarter places, including smart buildings, cities and regions, manufacturing, water use and energy use. Applying these skills to create truly smart places, would significantly improve the lives of South Africans. Smart places are places with efficient utility services, such as electricity and water. In terms of water, expertise extends to water and wastewater treatment technologies, real-time water management systems, water resource monitoring and water resource risk mitigation.

Key responsibilities:

• Promote a culture of SET excellence (quality and delivery) and providing research leadership;
• Promote a culture of industrialization of research outcomes;
• Interact with stakeholders (clients, peers, etc.) within fields of expertise to develop long-term relationships both within and outside the CSIR;
• Conduct project management through robust, integrated planning;
• Raise personal, team and institutional profiles through publishing original research and presenting work at national and international conferences and workshops;
• Write, and review research proposals; research reports, client reports and peer-reviewed publications;
• Conceptualise, structure, manage and implement research projects;
• Contribute to policy research in support of South Africa’s national priorities;
• Liaise with both internal and external clients and other relevant stakeholders;
• Conceptualise, structure, management and implementation of multi-disciplinary research projects.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master's degree in hydrology, preference being a doctoral degree in hydrology with atleast least five years’ experience in hydrology as it relates to hydrological modeling and understanding of hydrological impacts of land-use changes through surface water quality and quantity assessments;
• Must at least have five years’ experience in hydrological modeling, water assessments and techniques;
• Applied knowledge and understanding of hydrological modeling and water assessments;
• Conceptualisation, structuring, management and implementation of multi-disciplinary research projects.;
• Contribute to policy research in support of South Africa’s national priorities;
• Write, and review research proposals; research reports, client reports and peer-reviewed publications;
• Liaise with both internal and external clients and other relevant stakeholders;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Project management skills;
• Research and report writing skills;
• Communication and presentation skills;
• Problem solving, solution seeking orientation;
• Ability to provide thought leadership and mentoring;
• High level conceptualisation and analytical skills;
• Excellent facilitation and interpersonal skills;