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

About the Job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher: Climate and Seasonal Forecasting in the Climate and Air Quality Modelling research group of Holistic Climate Change Impact Area, within the Smart Places cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for dynamical and statistical analysis of the regional and global climate model simulations performed by the group, for both present-day and future climate, with the purpose of enhancing the understanding of African circulation dynamics.

The position further requires a research focus on the improvement in climate change projection systems and the downscaling of both seasonal forecasts and climate change projections, towards generating tailor-made prediction/projection products to the benefit of end-users. The evaluation of model forecasts (seasonal time scale) and the reliability of projections for future climate change will be key components of the incumbent’s work. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the research group’s development of improved seasonal forecast and decadal predictability systems;
• Develop and apply dynamical and statistical downscaling procedures of seasonal forecasts and climate simulations to obtain predictants such as streamflow, SPI, SPEI and crop yield;
• Study the dynamics of southern African inter-annual and decadal variability under present-day and future forcings;
• Exploring new innovative methods of climate modelling, such as machine learning and big data analysis techniques.
• Act as the interface between climate modelling specialists and application modellers within the CSIR and other institutions;
• Actively lead proposal writing in the fields of climate change and climate variability in the active pursuit of CSIR contract research;  
• Be proactive in leading the pursuance of CSIR contract research in the fields of climate change and climate variability including through stakeholder engagement and proposal writing;
• Mentor and formally supervise the post-graduate research of candidate-researchers and researchers within the research group.

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

• A Master’s degree in meteorology/climatology or related field with at least ten years’ experience in these fields; a doctoral degree would be an added advantage.
• Extensive experience in the analysis of four-dimensional climate model simulations and observed/reanalysis data sets;
• Extensive experience in the calculation of climate statistics and statistical model verification;
• Experience in the statistical downscaling of climate simulations and seasonal forecasts to predictants such as crop yield, SPIs and streamflow;
• Experience in numerical and scientific programming (e.g. Fortran, Matlab), data manipulation and visualisation (e.g. in GrADS and GIS environments);
• Working knowledge of Linux operating systems and high performance computing;
• A recent and extensive publication record in the fields of climate variability, climate change, seasonal forecasting and related downscaling techniques;
• Skills in the communication of climate science to the general public, stakeholders and policy makers;
• Understanding of local and international policies, regulations and frameworks on climate change
• Demonstrable experience and success in attracting R&D funding and the successful management of research projects;
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with others in a research group;
• Must have a valid driver’s licence.

Closing date: 28 November 2023

go to method of application »

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Engineer: Airframe Designer (Aerostructure). in the Aeronautics Systems Impact Area within the Defence and Security cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to support the integration of stores with aircraft and the provision of aeronautical services to industry and be part of the design team of an innovative and unprecedented unmanned aircraft. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development and testing of new composite, metallic and plastic lightweight aircraft structures;
• Define part requirements, create designs, perform simulation tests and validate final hardware components;
• Use modern tools and techniques to optimise designs in multidisciplinary teams;
• Implement and improve manufacturing processes;
• Support the development of project engineering plans;
• Document design work and support justification of compliance with aviation regulators.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical/mechanical engineering with at least five years’ experience working in an aircraft/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) design environment.
• A Master’s degree in aeronautical/mechanical engineering will be advantageous;

Experience in the following is essential:

• Testing aircraft structures;
• Structural manufacturing methods and processes;
• Unmanned aircraft structures;
• Aircraft structural design and analysis methods using computer-aided design (CAD), hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA);
• Aircraft structural materials including metallics, composites and plastics.

Knowledge/or experience in the following will be advantageous:

• Aircraft and/or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) design regulations;
• Computerized structural design and analysis systems;
• Design of complex composite parts including bonded & bolted composite/metallic assemblies for aircraft;
• Be skilled in computer programming.

South African citizenship and security clearance are required for this position.

 Closing date: 28 November 2023

go to method of application »

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Management Accountant in the Finance portfolio. The incumbent will perform management accounting functions to ensure accurate and complete accounting, analysis and reporting in compliance with contractual and legislative requirements. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Prepare weekly, monthly and annual CSIR Consolidated and Finance Portfolio management reporting and analysis within the required time frames to provide feedback on performance and support management decision making;
• Prepare the CSIR Consolidated monthly financial reporting pack;
• Investigate budget variances, obtain explanations and ensure corrective action is taken to address variances;
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial information:
• Prepare, plan, communicate and monitor the progress of month-end, year-end and ad-hoc processes required to ensure accurate financial results;
• Drive budget and forecast processes for portfolios;
• Provide the financial information required for budgeting and forecasting purposes and assist with the preparation and consolidation of budgets and forecasts;
• Prepare for and assist with provision of financial information, project-specific information, internal audit requests/reports and annual external audits for compliance;
• Provide financial results and information required for disclosure in the CSIR Annual Financial Statements;
• Review processes and financial reporting requirements and recommend improvements to enhance the effectiveness of the financial support;

Other responsibilities:

• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of contract accounting and reporting in terms of stakeholder, contractual and legislative requirements and in compliance with CSIR policies and procedures;
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of monthly PG and levy declaration;
• Review financial reports on contracts and projects, monitor spending on projects and communicate GAPs or potential over/ or underspend pro-actively;
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of direct and indirect cost recoveries, monthly PG declarations, reconciliations, cleaning of accounts, interest calculations and general financial query support;
• Report on outstanding debt, and ensure effective debt collection through engagement with clients and operational staff;
• Review the status of open orders and ensure follow up actions are effected;
• Review, verify and validate local employee reimbursement claims prior to submission for processing;
• Ensure accurate accounting of all costs in compliance with contractual requirements, CSIR policies and procedures and relevant legislative requirements;
• Review and approve journals and supporting documentation for validity, accuracy and correctness;
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of overhead cost and recovery journals to distribute costs and recoveries to various departments;
• Ensure that general ledger and control accounts are regularly reconciled and reviewed and that reconciling items are cleared on a timely basis;
• Review and recommend costing models for all shared portfolios and clusters;
• Provide ABC costing for budget purposes;
• Supervise and mentor junior finance team members to ensure high quality financial support and a culture of delivering professional, responsive service in a customer orientated fashion.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in accounting, cost accounting or finance with at least five years’ experience, of which three years’ must be in management accounting in a medium to large business; OR
• An Honours degree or CIMA qualification with at least three years’ experience in management accounting in a medium to large business;
• Working experience in a state owned enterprise will be advantageous;
• Skilled in financial management, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls and auditing requirements;
• Knowledge and application of contract and project management principles as well as accounting requirements;
• Excellent computer skills and a solid understanding of accounting systems and dependencies on other systems/modules;
• Ability to analyse, interpret and present financial information in a simplified format;
• Ability to work independently with limited or no supervision;
• Ability to work under pressure while ensuring accuracy and paying attention to detail;
• Ability to apply checks and balances to transactions and procedures to ensure data integrity;
• Ability to work with senior management, excellent problem solving and planning skills;
• Good  supervisory, mentoring, interpersonal and communication skills;
• Knowledge and application of contract and project administration principles and accounting requirements;
• Solid understanding of VAT, good working knowledge of exchange control requirement and accounting framework;
• Good understanding of the applicable legal and statutory requirements of a State Owned Enterprise.

Closing date: 21 November 2023

go to method of application »

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Coastal Engineer in the Coastal Engineering and Ports Infrastructure Research Group within the Smart Mobility Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting contract research within the Coastal Engineering field, with a focus on physical modelling. This position is based in Stellenbosch.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct applied research and technological innovation in the following areas: Coastal engineering, physical modelling of coastal structures and ports, sediment dynamics, nearshore hydrodynamics and physical modelling of ship motions (moored as well as manoeuvring);
• Contribute to the ongoing development and implementation of strategies to grow the Coastal Engineering and Ports Infrastructure group;
• Establish, build, manage and maintain mutually beneficial and credible stakeholder relationships;
• Manage a small, diverse project team during model construction and testing;
• Publish and present research at peer reviewed conferences and journals;
• Formulate research proposals and identify tasks and activities to facilitate execution;
• Prepare reports, guidelines or other documents aimed at disseminating the results and outcomes of projects;
• Negotiate and secure contracts and research and development (R&D) funding;
• Remain up to date with and abreast of trends so that the research group remains innovative, competitive and dynamic;
• Ensure the quality and delivery of projects and publications in the group by means of technical reviews and quality assurance.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master’s degree in Port and Coastal Engineering with specialisation in coastal processes, coastal dynamics, coastal structures or ship motions, with at least two years’ experience in the coastal engineering and ports environment, and;
• Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering prior to the Master’s degree;

Must be;

• Able to function independently and as part of a team;
• Able to perform under pressure and manage or contribute to projects within allocated time and budget constraints;
• Self-motivated with excellent communication skills;
• A valid driver’s licence with own transport.    

Closing date: 29 November 2023