Job Openings 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 Airborne/Landwards Special Operations research group, including people management, business development, financial sustainability and operations management. This position is based in Pretoria.

For more info about the impact area or cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/technology-for –special-operations and https://www.csir.co.za/defence-and-security respectively.

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 Master’s 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 Defence (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.

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader: Integrated Capability Management (ICM) in the Command Control and Integrated Systems Impact Area within its Defence and Security Cluster. The incumbent will be part of the Command Control and Integrated Systems Management teams and will be responsible for the provision of strategic and technical leadership to the research group, including people management, business development, financial sustainability and operations management. This position is based in Pretoria.

For more info about the cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/defence-and-security

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 (and enable others in RG to lead) researchers and engineers;
• Promote a culture of science, engineering and technology (SET) excellence and provide RDI leadership of multiple disciplines;
• Contribute to the integrated capability development for industry and/or service delivery relevant within national and international standing that is directed at cutting edge offerings.
• 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 RG (including strategy, goals, mission, HR, finances, technology transfer, IP and commercialization);
• Assume leadership in the RG’s provision of integrated capability technical solutions to capability development projects and client programmes;
• Deeply understand the needs for integrated capability management solutions within the impact area to industry by integrating sector knowledge in multi-dimensional research and development programs in order to deliver industry aligned RDI;
• Manage the development of technology roadmaps, , to enable key offerings of the Research Group to remain relevant and effective;
• Ensure staff development, strategic Human Capital Development and effective teaming;
• Ensure a well-balanced cutting edge ICM SET capability (aligned staff, development strategies using software best practices);
• Ensure productivity and quality 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;
• Deliver, through the Research Group, software solutions to Integrated Capability Management;
• Provide technical support on business development and participate in client interactions;
• Facilitate effective participation of Research Group in a portfolio of projects executed within the Capability Management Area, by managing software resource assignments and utilizing senior team members to lead teams while ensuring growth of people through projects;
• 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 Doctoral degree in electronic, computer engineering or computer science with at least ten years’ experience in systems and software development processes, of which five years should be in the development of software within the defence and security environment with a preference in at least two of the following fields:
• Systems Engineering;
• Simulation modelling and decision support;
• Integrated Capability development;
• Software Engineering;
• Systems Integration;
• 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;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Business Development and financial acumen;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• Conflict management skills;
• Decisiveness and action orientation;
• Appropriate national and international RDI networks;
• An understanding of the research to market ‘innovation’ value chain.

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Energy Storage Testbed Operator in the Energy Centre under the Smart Places Cluster. This is a new position in the Living Energy Lab Platform group and will be based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Organize operation of the battery testbed;
• Prepare battery tests, physical connection/ dismantling and writing of battery test scripts;
• Run battery tests, monitor battery tester and climate chamber operation;
• Conduct battery testbed fault diagnosis, maintenance and made contacts with testbed supplier;
• Report on battery test set-up and processing of raw test results; and
• Attend educational/ technical training and workshops to maintain professional knowledge.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor's degree or BTech degree in Chemical or Physical Sciences or Engineering;with at least two  years’ experience in battery testing;
• Experience on electrical installations (incl. fault diagnosis);
• Programming skills in Labview and other relevant programs.

Closing date: 03 May 2021