Current Vacancies at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About The Job

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader in the Technology for Special Operations (TSO) impact area, within the Defence and Security cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of strategic and technical leadership to the Maritime Systems Special Operations research group, including people management, business development, financial sustainability and operations management. This position is based in Stellenbosch.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to strategic investment goal setting and development of RDI strategy;
• Implement the research, development and innovation (RD&I) strategy for the impact area;
• Lead researchers and engineers;
• Promote a culture of science, engineering and technology (SET) excellence and provide RDI leadership of multiple disciplines such as electronics, mechanical, computing, radiometry, modeling, simulation, testing and evaluation;
• Ensure that the area remains industry and/or service delivery relevant with national and international standing that is directed at cutting edge;
• Propose and/or contribute to the strategic investment plan and implement Parliamentary Grant, Contract Research and Development and other grant-funded projects;
• Develop and implement a business plan for operation, sustainable growth, impact and robustness of area (including strategy, goals, mission, HR, finances, technology transfer, IP and commercialization);
• Assume leadership in the provision of technical solutions to client programmes;
• Deeply understand the needs of the industry by integrating sector knowledge in multi-dimensional research and development programs in order to deliver industry aligned RDI;
• Ensure staff development and strategic Human Capital Development;
• Ensure a well-balanced cutting-edge SET capability, in terms of the elements of research, engineering design, or systems/enterprise engineering;
• Ensure SET outputs are achieved;
• Deliver on all KPIs of the area and ensure that all outputs are achieved, including transformation, profit and loss, quality, health, safety and environment as per agreed targets;
• Implement and comply with appropriate financial, business systems requirements, including operational approvals;
• Network with peers in the fields expertise within and outside the CSIR;
• Engage with clients and industry partners to develop long term relationships;
• Provide technical support on business development and participate in client interactions;
• Manage projects through planning of appropriate processes and policies to ensure Intellectual Property (IP) protection and technology transfer;

In collaboration with the Business Development and Commercialization portfolio:

• Drive the transfer of technology and solutions design to industry/user environment;
• Package technologies for commercialisation or develop an “investment ready business” through financial modelling market assessment and business plan development.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Masters’ degree in engineering, technology or science with at least five years’ experience as an engineer, technologist or scientist in Defence related Research Development and Innovation environment;
• A Doctoral degree will be advantageous.
• Professional Registration with ECSA as a Professional Engineer or Technologist will be advantageous;
• Proven track record of translating user requirements into engineering specifications;
• Proven track record of delivering engineering outputs on schedule and within budget;
• Proven track record in project management and research project leadership;
• Experience in systems engineering and product lifecycle management (PLM) will be an added advantage;
• Sound understanding of the Department of Defence (DOD) technology acquisition processes;
• Sound understanding of the DOD security systems;
• An understanding of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the role of Special Forces (especially airborne, landwards and urban operations) will be an advantage;
• Sound experience in managing a team of multi-disciplinary professions;
• Proven track record in project management and research project leadership;
• Ability to provide thought leadership and high level conceptualisation;
• Business development and financial acumen;
• Conflict management skills;
• Decisiveness and action orientation;
• Project Management skills;
• Appropriate national and international RDI networks;
• An understanding of the research to market ‘innovation’ value chain;
• Must have a valid driver’s license and existing or eligible for Department of Defense (DOD) security clearance;
• Demonstrated skills in: analytical thinking and decision-making, flexibility and adaptability, investigative orientation, planning and organising, problem solving, verbal, written communication and presentation, diverse and dynamic team work, self-management (planning, prioritising and time management – includes the ability to work independently), systems level thinking, collaborating, multi-disciplinary knowledge; configuration management.

SA Citizenship is necessary, as a Security Clearance is required for this position.
Closing date: 04 May 2023

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About

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Chief Researcher: Computer Vision Systems in the Optronic Sensor Systems (OSS) impact area within the Defence and Security Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to drive strategic direction for innovation in digital optronics research and applications, which focuses on computer vision applications integrating over physics and system performance modeling and simulation, algorithm development, sensor/systems integration, deployment, test and evaluation (T&E). The position is based in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities
Technical expertise

• Lead the identification of opportunities to apply computer vision across various domains including security, mining, manufacturing, and remote sensing;
• Lead the analysis and implementation from physics and end-user requirements to integrated solutions to create video surveillance/monitoring/intelligence user systems for deployment and evaluation;
• Create, refine and implement new computer vision systems in a variety of applications including security, mining, manufacturing, and remote sensing
• Develop end-user computer vision applications while integrating active and passive sensors, visual and non-visual spectrum, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensors, optical and non-optical elements;
• Drive the conceptualization of superior solutions and differentiated products/systems including video analytics for human behavior analysis;
• Design and implement superior solutions and differentiated products/systems;
• Drive the implementation of video analytics based on human behaviour analysis;
• Proactively conduct research on technologies to improve team and systems innovation, processes, and productivity.

Knowledge generation and dissemination

• Strategically develop a computer vision research and applications program to support Doctoral and Masters’ students, journal publications, and international visibility;
• Publish papers in peer-reviewed journals or book chapters, or editor of book/conference proceedings;
• Lead and contribute to the development of new and adapted technologies for licencing, patenting and transfer to new and existing industries;
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedure.

Human capital development

• Attract staff nationally and internationally to CSIR through reputation;
• Strategically develop human capital resources to ensure succession and skills transfer within the modelling, simulation, and radiometric domain;
• Strategically create human capital development pipelines through industry and university collaboration;
• Play a leading role in developing researchers and co-supervision of students;
• Take an active role in the development, mentoring, and coaching of the team to enhance the diversity of the impact area, and play a lead role in attracting, developing, and retaining talent.

Research leadership

• Lead and support engagements across public, private and international stakeholders;
• Formulate national and international research and development (R&D) strategies in collaboration with various partners;
• Serve on national and international research working groups / advisory boards / editorial boards;
• Research and evaluate emerging technologies;
• Provide thought leadership, drive business growth within the market, develop and maintain client relationships;
• Create international awareness and partnerships for CSIR digital optronics research capabilities.

Attracting funding

• Develop strategic R&D relationships at national and international scale toco-develop joint proposals to attract long term funding for R&D investment;
• Create commercialization opportunities for through industry engagement locally and internationally;
• Source and manage large interdisciplinary projects / programmes;
• Attract sufficient funds for large teams of researchers and support staff;
• Write proposals and project definitions and research business plans.

Project resource management

• Manage projects effectively;
• Generate and update work breakdown structures (WBS) and statement of works (SOW);
• Plan projects with team members (quality and completeness of project management plan including project scope, schedule, cost budget, risk analysis);
• Lead and deliver the technical deliverables that are necessary for the design, optimization, and/or commercialization of products/outputs;
• Lead and execute project technical deliverables and milestones to ensure successful delivery of new processes and/or products;
• Perform quality assurance, code review, code refactoring, and maintenance on radiometric modelling and simulation software;
• Compile research findings, reports, and other documentation(s), for both internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications, Skills, And Experience

A Master’s degree in computer science, electronic/mechanical/mechatronic engineering, applied mathematics or physics, with at least fifteen years’ experience in the following:

• Research and development environment defining product application strategy, establishing client relationships, soliciting user requirements and delivering innovative solutions;
• Computer vision, sensors, electro-optics and infrared sensors systems integration and product development environment, with strong user system application development;

Must have experience in the following:

• Integration over many fields including radiometry, opto-mechatronics, sensors, cameras, and computer vision;
• User application level for deep understanding of user needs;
• Computer Vision technology and product development;
• Electro-optic system modelling and simulation;

Must have track record of:

• Application and end-user expertise of deep understanding of user needs;
• System modelling and simulation ;
• Development of video surveillance/monitoring/intelligence user application systems, including video analytics development;
• Developing research, development and innovation capabilities;
• Computer Vision Technology and Product/solutions development;
• Leadership, mentorship, and guidance of team members;
• Publications in high impact journals;

Closing date: 18 May 2023

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About The Job

• The CSIR has a Doctoral Studentship opportunity in the Information and Cybersecurity Centre, within the Defence and Security Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for undertaking original research and development in cybersecurity with the Data Security and Analytics, Governance, Privacy and Trust, Cybersecurity and/or Secure Identity Systems domains. This opportunity is based in Pretoria.

Research Areas

• Data security and analytics
• Secure digital identity systems
• Mobile security
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in cybersecurity
• Development of home-grown cybersecurity solutions
• National cybersecurity capability development
• Governance, privacy, and trust
• Next-generation security operations centre
• Emerging cybersecurity topics such as zero-trust
• And other related topics

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare a research proposal to be approved by both the CSIR 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 computer science/engineering, information technology, information systems or a related/relevant field;
• Must be registered or be willing to 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);
• Must have a strong background in computer systems, information security, cybersecurity and/or secure identity systems.
• Knowledge of machine learning and/or artificial intelligence.
• Working knowledge of related programming languages such as Python, R, Java, C# and the Linux operating system (and others applicable).
• Must have confidence in working with big data and data analytics.
• Must have 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: 11 May 2023

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About The Job

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Software Developer in the Emerging Digital Technologies for fourth Industrial Revolution (EDT4IR) Research Centre within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for conceptualising, designing and developing full stack software solutions for projects and products built in the Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality Research Group. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualise, design and develop software solutions for internal and external stakeholders;
• Provide technical expertise on large and complex projects, using cutting-edge technology and innovative designs;
• Provide technical leadership to other software developers regarding system design and integration;
• Administer and deploy solutions onto infrastructure within the research group;
• Lead the full stack development activities that translate designs into working software solutions;
• Collaborate with application programming interface (API) developers to perform system integration;
• Contribute to the technology research outputs of the group by developing solutions to assist in the publication of research outputs, such as scientific conference papers, technology demonstrators and journal articles.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer/electronic engineering, data science, information technology or informatics with at least five years’ practical experience in professional software development and engineering, particularly in large, complex projects using modern development frameworks in JavaScript (Angular, React, Vue) and/or Python (Django);

The following knowledge and/or experience is required:

• Experience working in an agile manner;
• Expertise in debugging software to identify and fix issues;
• Proficiency working with Git and Docker;
• Proficiency creating and consuming information from SQL (Postgres,SQLite, etc) and noSQL (Mongo, Elasticsearch, etc) databases;
• Demonstrable experience in building and integrating frontend solutions with backends;
• UI/UX design knowledge;

The following knowledge and/or experience would be advantageous:

• Building cloud solutions in AWS, Azure or GCP;
• Creating CI/CD pipelines;
• Data visualisation tools, e.g. Power BI, Qlik, Tableau;
• Graph databases;
• Data science and/or machine learning;
• 3D modelling and/or game development;

Closing date: 09 May 202