Senior Researcher: Social Engineering Analyst at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About The Job

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher: Social Engineering Analyst in the Technology for Special Operations (TSO) impact area (IA) within the Defence and Security Cluster. The purpose of this role is to conduct research and development within the domain of social engineering as well as to lead data or information analysis towards producing suitable outputs in line with client business requirements. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyse data modelling and statistics for the development of systems within the defence environment;
• Conceptualise data models (ontologies) for military command and control and intelligence application;
• Identify systemic security issues that to threats and vulnerabilities, with the focus on recommendations for enhancements or remediation with specific focus on the human domain of national defence and security environment;
• Engage in client interaction by compiling and/or participating in compiling user requirements specifications and participate in work sessions;
• Analyse, design, develop and deliver solutions built to stop adversaries and strengthen crime intelligence and special operations;
• Design and develop solutions using statistical analysis and application of modelling and analysis tools for application in socio-cultural profiling/ target audience analysis;
• Conduct data preparation and validation on processes and tools for automating or augmenting step of data science in client systems;
• Contribute towards leveraging data analytics to develop appropriate metrics to measure social engineering risks and develop concrete strategies mitigate the risk toward acceptable levels;
• Contribute to crime intelligence and special operations’ new policies, procedures, and emerging trends to strengthen the strategic roadmap;
• Provide technical leadership, give guidance and best practice advice to clients on project deliverables;
• Contribute towards partnerships with SMMEs SMMEs on products and technology development (TD) or technology packages (TPs);
• Assist in leading teams in multi-disciplinary research projects;
• Assist in the establishment of collaboration with national and international research partners;
• Compile research publications;
• Ensure human capital development and knowledge transfer.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Master’s degree in research psychology, statistics or computer science with a focus on data science, with at least five years’ research and development experience within the information technology, information warfare, military or research psychology focusing on the human domain of national defence and security;
• From the five years’ experience above, two years’ should be in:
  • Data preparation, validation and analysis;
  • Application of structural equation modelling techniques and software.
• Experience in research within the South African military and security environment will be an added advantage;
• Knowledge and experience in the following is essential:
  • Data preparation and validation;
  • Environmental scan, strategic planning and capability development cyber defence environment will be an added advantage;
  • Application of structural equation modelling techniques and software;
  • Data science for integrated cyber defence systems development;
  • Knowledge and experience in development of interoperable, integrated cyber defence capabilities;
  • Knowledge in project management
• Must be able to:
  • Apply research methodology and demonstrate academic writing skills;
  • Work in a team;
  • Understand key principles of information warfare;
  • Conduct investigations in order to arrive at multiple possible solutions;
• Demonstrate analytical skills in identifying national defence related threats and vulnerabilities by application of research skills;
• Good communication skills (verbal and written).

Must have or be able to obtain a valid security clearance.
Closing date: 07 December 2020