Active Jobs at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Data Stewardship Manager in the Data Intensive Research Initiative South Africa (DIRISA) group within the National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System (NICIS) that forms part of the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions (NGEI) cluster. 
• The incumbent will be expected to work at strategic, tactical, and operational levels of management to deliver on DIRISA's mandate and strategy and apply project management expertise together with appropriate technical/domain/sector/industry specific technical acumen to achieve project goals by managing the total project management life cycle within project constraints according to applicable project management framework(s). 
• This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Manager: DIRISA.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the conceptualization and implementation of data stewardship standards, policies and guidelines within an ICT infrastructure development team of DIRISA and within NICIS;

Advocate, coordinate and support across user communities, the formulation and adoption of data stewardship policies and recommended practices focused on disciplines and across the research data management life cycle;

• Facilitate the development of standards for data stewardship that are internationally benchmarked and harmonized with principles of Open Data and Open Science;
• Ensure that data stewardship policies regulate the accessibility, utilisation, and dissemination of DIRISA's products and services across the data management lifecycle (acquisition, preservation, maintenance, and archiving of digital assets);
• Drive the dissemination and public disposition of DIRISA in terms of approved data stewardship policies across the DIRISA user base;
• Promulgate policies and standards and promote acceptance by the community of data providers and users and a wider audience (such as national, provincial, and municipal governments);
• Promote the adoption of recommended practices by data custodians and data generators in research data management (RDM) throughout its life cycle;
• Ensure that appropriate data provider agreements are entered into with data custodians;
• Analyse, document and coordinate the implementation of systems and processes to meet standards and conform to policies for RDM;
• Manage a subgroup of DIRISA and drive the implementation and automation of RDM policies with DIRISA software engineers, developers, system administrators, and data standards developers;
• Coordinate and drive the development and coherence of domain-specific RDM policies such as Ethics, Security, and Privacy.
• Ensure strategic alignment of DIRISA's RDM standards and policies with national directives and priorities;
• Maintain relationships and interact with key stakeholders and users to ensure that their opinion is considered in the formulation of RDM standards and policies;
• Prepare and present periodic progress reports to ensure feedback and communication with stakeholders;
• Regularly review contemporary and emerging trends in RDM standards and policies, and ensure that their implications are accommodated in, and improve DIRISA's service delivery;
• Serve as an expert on data management principles for the research community in general; provide stakeholders and data providers with guidance and information on recommended practices for RDM;
• Participate as part of the DIRISA team in the review and development of ICT standards and procedures, and best practices to ensure compliant service delivery;
• Interact and liaise closely with other NICIS service areas in the development and deployment of RDM standards and policies;
• Mentor and advance knowledge of staff, provide guidance and leadership in DIRISA related to standards and policy implementation;
• Conduct awareness sessions, workshops, and training for researchers, students, and staff on governance, data management planning, datathons / hackathons, and best stewardship practices;
• Participate in and contribute to related activities in the DIRISA portfolio;
• Apply data science methods (e.g., machine learning, statistical modelling, visualization) to derive insights from research datasets;
• Collaborate with researchers to design reproducible data pipelines and analytical workflows;
• Support innovation by identifying opportunities to leverage AI, big data, and advanced analytics for national research priorities.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours degree in computer science, information science, information systems or related fields with at least ten years' experience in data science, information systems or related of which three years should be in data management in a related field and five years in stakeholder interaction, evidenced by chairing data related structures;
• A Master's degree will be advantageous;
• Knowledge of data management, and a desire to advance expertise in emergent trends such as Open Data and Open Science;
• A track record of data governance responsibility or contribution to at least one data/information management project;
• Knowledge at graduate level, of data, information and knowledge management, value chain management and operationalization strategy;
• An understanding of standards, the standards development lifecycle, intellectual property, copyright in the South African context, and of relevant existing policies and legislation, e.g. POPI, Spatial Data Infrastructure Act; National Policy on Data and Cloud
• Knowledge of, and skills to manage continuous improvement and change management;
• Willingness to learn additional skills and to mentor and collaborate within a team of data and ICT personnel;
• Understanding of finances and budgets;
• People management and leadership skills;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• High-level planning and organisational skills.

Closing Date

• 23/03/2026

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About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Doctoral Studentship: Space Engineering in the Optronic Sensor System (OSS), within the Defence and Security Cluster.
• The incumbent will be responsible for undertaking original research and development in Space Engineering with the Optronics Sensor System. This position is based in Pretoria.

Research areas: 

• Space Mission Analysis and Design (SMAD)
• Satellite Bus Design and Development
• Space Satellite System Engineering Process
• Satellite Orbital Mechanics Design
• Space Modelling and Simulation
• Space Ground Station Technologies
• Emerging Artificial Intelligence technologies for Space Applications
• Thermal management of satellite buses and payloads 
• Radiation shielding of satellite bus materials

Key responsibilities:

• Prepare a research proposal to be approved by both the CSIR OSS and the university;
• Prepare a written literature overview of the current state-of-the-art relevant to the research topic;
• Perform original research to solve the open research problem(s) that the student identified in his/her proposal;
• Produce sufficient quantity and quality of peer-reviewed publications based on the Doctoral research topic;
• Compile the Doctoral thesis and defending the work successfully; and
• Contribute to extra project activities that may be outside the scope of the doctoral research as per the needs of the research group. 
• The amount of such work shall be limited to 20% of the total time.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master's degree in electronic/mechanical/mechatronics engineering or related fields;
• Register for a Doctoral qualification within the South African university (to be agreed upon with the CSIR co-supervisor);
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report/certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA);

The following knowledge, and experience will be advantageous:

• Strong background in Electronics and Mechanical Systems, System Engineering, Cybersecurity in Space Domain, Data Communication systems;
• Machine learning and/or artificial intelligence application in space technologies;
• Working knowledge of related programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, (and others applicable);
• Knowledge modelling and simulation software such as STK, ANSYS, NX Siemens (and others applicable);
• Experience in software development for experimentation and computer simulation with a hands-on approach;
• Good understanding of the scientific method: design of experiments, running experiments, critical analysis of results, and dissemination of knowledge;
• Good communication skills (verbal and written) and ability to interact efficiently with diverse teams of people; and
• A good peer-reviewed publication record will be advantageous.

Closing Date

• 25/03/2026

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Trade Compliance Specialist in the Legal Compliance and Business Enablement Portfolio. The incumbent will lead the implementation, review and management of Trade Compliance Requirements within the CSIR and ensuring general compliance in trade practices.
• The incumbent will provide expert insights on requirements and obligations of trading in the public enterprise space, including advice on registrations, certifications, exporting and importing goods and services related to defence and scientic services.
• The incumbent will support and manage all third party risk management and due diligence reviews for trade compliance activities and provide advice to business on related risk mitigation measures. This Position is based in Pretoria.
• This Position reports to Manager: Compliance 

Key responsibilities:

• Documenting and maintaining the Trade Compliance regulatory universe of the organisation. Keeping abreast of regulatory developments which impact the CSIR.
• Continuously monitor local and international trends and best practice initiatives to support the trade practices within the CSIR.
• Developing and maintaining Trade Compliance policies, frameworks, and standard operation procedures for the CSIR.
• Maintain and implement the Third-Party Risk Management and Due Diligence Framework for trade compliance activities and support the design and application of the end-to-end Third-Party Risk Management processes that is efficient and scalable.
• Continuously support the Supply Chain Management Portfolio / Imports-Exports in ensuring that requirements and business processes associated with cross-border movements function smoothly, while also ensuring that risks are identified in a timely manner and managed efficiently.
• Build professional relationships with regulatory bodies and internal stakeholders to ensure that CSIR initiatives, applications and registrations are appropriately understood, maintained, and addressed.
• Provide support and advice to Divisional Executives and Cluster Executive Managers (and their teams) on trade compliance considerations in contracting for and execution of contracts.
• Coordinate, collate and make timely submissions to Trade Compliance authorities/government agencies of information required to support applications for registration of the CSIR or CSIR laboratories and facilities for contracting permits, end- user certificates, and various imports and export permits. 
• Ensure that the applications are tracked and appropriate follow-up is made to completion.
• Provide Legal and Compliance (L&C) management and internal CSIR clients with timeous feedback and progress on applications and registrations.
• Compile and develop Trade Compliance training and awareness plan. 
• Conduct training and awareness sessions and develop training material on Trade Compliance requirements applicable to the CSIR to all affected parties and stakeholders
• Compile a monitoring plan on all Trade Compliance activities, to timeously identify, assess, and report on any Trade Compliance risks identified. 
• Assist the L&C management to develop controls to mitigate relevant compliance risks identified in the business.
• Coordinate and support the business in all regulatory audits or inspections that take place within Trade Compliance matters. 
• Assist the business in closing gaps or non-compliance issues identified during regulatory audits.
• Harness and use technological tools to efficiently fulfil Trade Compliance functions.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

•  A Bachelor Degree or equivalent in Law or Commerce or Risk Management or Logistics or Customs and Excise and/or Import/Exports with at least six years' experience as a Trade Compliance Specialist or Trade Compliance Officer.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Compliance or International Trade or Law or Risk Management or Imports-Exports or Customs Excise or International Trade will be advantageous.
• Certified Compliance Professional  or Certified Risk Professional, Certifications in Logistics or Customs Excise, and/or Import /Exports will be advantageous.
• Proven knowledge and experience in Trade Compliance requirements associated with scientific research and defence projects. 
• Strong knowledge of Trade Compliance multilateral treaties and United Nations (UN) resolutions, local laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Experience in managing regulatory inspections and audits, including the ability to develop and maintain relationships with the applicable authorities. 
• Building strategic partnerships 
• Customer Service Orientation
• Driving Performance
• Programme and project management
• Conflict Management
• Excellence / quality orientation
• Strategic thinking and decision making
• Thought leadership
• Collaboration
• Verbal and Written Communication

Closing Date

• 17/03/2026