Job Openings at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Master's Studentship: Electronic Warfare in the Radar and Electronic Warfare Impact Area, within the Defence and Security Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for undertaking original research and development in Electronic Warfare with the Artificial Intelligence in EW, Electronic Support/Attack, EW Modelling and Simulation/Signal Processing or any other EW related topics. This position is based in Pretoria. 
• For more information about the cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/defence-and-security . 

Research areas: 

• Electronic Warfare (EW) including
• Artificial Intelligence in EW
• Electronic Support
• Electronic Attack
• EW Modelling and Simulation
• EW Signal Processing
• And other EW 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 Master's research topic;
• Compile the Master's dissertation and defending the work successfully; and
• Contribute to extra project activities that may be outside the scope of the master 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:

• An Honours degree in electronic/computer engineering or a related/relevant field;
• Register for a Master's qualification within the South African university (to be agreed upon with the CSIR co-supervisor).
• Knowledge of the following will be an advantage: MATLAB, Julia, Python and/or C++.
• Knowledge of the following will be an advantage: Antennas, Radio Frequency (RF) systems, Electromagnetic Theory and Propagation.
• Knowledge of electronic hardware and software implementation.
• Knowledge and exposure in software development for experimentation and prototyping.
• 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.

Deadline:10th February,2026

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About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Library Technician in the Knowledge Management and Information Services to deliver Inter Library Loan (ILL) services and to fulfil Front Desk duties including circulation activities and assisting walk-in clients. The incumbent will be guided by the Manager: Library Technical Services and eResources (LTS) and the Professional: Acquisitions and Cataloguing assist in the management of the physical collections. The position is based in Pretoria.
• This position reports to Manager: Library Technical Services and eResources (LTS).

Key responsibilities:

• Process and monitor internal and external ILL requests on the Library Management System (LMS) and track statistics as needed.
• Communicate with internal and external clients regarding the status of their ILL requests.
• Provide training to clients on the submission of ILL requests using the LMS.
• Monitor ILL related updates on the LMS and implement the necessary changes.
• Manage circulation, renewal, return of library materials and attend to disengagement notices
• Train clients on the use of library eResources and assist with their general information requests.
• Maintenance of LTS LibGuides (user guides) to ensure the required LTS LibGuides are created, updated and the existing ones are maintained.
• Manage the paper collection to ensure that the correct filing order is maintained and that weeding is done according to KMIS guidelines.
• Provide procurement-related assistance. 
• Provide administrative support to the Manager: LTS
• Assist in capturing the meta data of Publisher License Agreements on the LMS.
• Provide assistance as far as the routing of Publisher License Agreements to relevant signatories for approval.
• Mentor and train the intern to enable him/her to work independently.
• Create and regularly update procedures related to job function.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A National diploma in Library and Information Sciences with at least one year work experience within a Library and Information Services environment.
• The ability to work independently and to successfully resolve problems utilising technical or specialised expertise.
• Knowledge of the national lLL system and its requirements.
• Knowledge of electronic library practices and work environments. 
• Basic literature searching skills. 

Deadline:11th February,2026

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About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for an Impact Area Manager, in the Landward Sciences impact area, within the Defence and Security Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of strategic and technical leadership to the research groups, and including people management, business development, financial sustainability and operations management. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Executive Cluster Manager.
• For more information about the CSIR and the cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za and https://www.csir.co.za/defence-and-security

Key responsibilities:

• In conjunction with the cluster leadership, contribute to research, development and implementation (RDI) strategy.
• Provide and coordinate strategic leadership within the Impact Area.
• Develop, provide and motivate capacity to deliver on the cluster's strategy.
• Integrate complete solutions aligned with the focus of the Impact Area.
• Develop and implement appropriate components of cluster research, development and innovation (RDI) strategy with specific sub-sectors and specific impacts.
• Contribute to strategic investment goal setting for the cluster and development of an RDI strategy for the Impact Area.
• Drive and implement a business plan for operation, sustainable growth and impact.
• Drive staff development through strategic Human Capital development initiatives to advance individuals through their research careers, to ensure alignment with industrial needs.
• Promote high quality science, engineering and technology (SET) expertise and develop appropriate SET capacity and profiles.
• In collaboration with business development and commercialisation portfolio: 
• Drive the transfer of technology and solutions to industry/user environments.
• Drive and implement the business development and commercialisation strategy.
• Package technologies for commercialization and/or develop and "investment ready business" through financial modelling, market assessment and business development.
• Lead strategic stakeholder interaction, internal and external - including international collaborations.
• Establish and service strategic alliances (institutional) according to RDI strategy.
• Drive the financial sustainability of the Impact Area and attract funding.
• Integrate sector knowledge in multidimensional research and development programmes to deliver industry aligned RDI, through deep understanding of the industry needs.
• Propose and/or contribute to the strategic investment plan and implement Parliamentary Grant, other grant-funded projects and programmes.
• Drive SET outputs and quality, which includes:
• Industry applications - support to SMME, products and prototypes developed, technologies localised and diffused, new patents granted, new licenses, new companies formed, industry standards and capable state (technology development, acquisition and use dimension), etc.
• Deliver on all KPIs of the area and ensure 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 and governance systems, including operational approvals.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master's degree in science, engineering or related fields with at least eight years' experience in strategic leadership and/or business management at a senior level within the RDI sector.
• A Doctoral degree would be advantageous. 
• Experience and skills in RDI project leadership.

Solid track record of:

• Engagement with target sector on strategic level and understanding of industry competitiveness drivers (product and manufacturing).
• Engagement and understanding of South African Defence Industry and South African National Defence Force.
• Broad understanding of relevant technologies and their potential impact on competitiveness.
• SET capability building track record (HCD, R&D rigour and R&D infrastructure).

Deadline:19th February,2026

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Automation and Integration Engineer in the Aerospace Systems Impact Area, within the Defence and Security cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to provide hardware and software engineering development, integration, support and management services to the Aerospace Engineering and Wind Tunnel (WT) Facilities Groups, from high-level systems architecture to low-level software and hardware design, development and testing. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.
• For more info about the impact area or cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/aeronautics-systems and https://www.csir.co.za/defence-and-security respectively.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct automation and integration activities applicable to the suite of wind tunnel facilities' plant control systems, and wind tunnel facilities' test model support systems, with a strong focus on automation, control, and data acquisition activities;
• Responsible for hardware and software development and implementation (requirements definition, design, development, testing and integration) of wind tunnel facility plant control systems, testing environment control systems, wind tunnel test article positional control systems, and wind tunnel test article data acquisition systems;
• Plan and manage all software engineering (projects and tasks) within Aerospace Engineering and Wind Tunnel Facilities Groups using CSIR ERP systems;
• Resource planning and allocation;
• Lead the development of concept and technology demonstrators, derived from requirements;
• Generate documentation for the developed products and applications in terms of system engineering processes and project reports;
• Research the latest technical developments i.e. researching and proposing new software and hardware solutions for diverse application areas within the Wind Tunnel Facilities and Aerospace Engineering groups;
• Collaborate and network with tertiary academic institutions, user groups and forums, locally and internationally;
• Work in the wind tunnel environment as part of a wind tunnel testing team on wind tunnel systems;
• Provide software and hardware systems support and troubleshooting during Wind Tunnel test campaigns;
• Evaluate and analyse the software, hardware, and ICT systems currently in the Wind Tunnel Facilities, while identifying areas for modification, improvement and upgrades;
• Create and manage Wind Tunnel Facilities ICT roadmap;
• Provide coaching and mentoring to junior engineer/s and technologists.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor's degree in electrical/electronic/computer/mechatronic engineering with at least five years' experience in real time server and desktop operating system environments focusing in/on the following:
• Development, automation, interfacing and control of electro-mechanical systems;
• Software architecture, object-oriented software development and software systems engineering processes;
• Must have experience in the following:
• Working with multidisciplinary teams;
• Supervision of junior engineers and technologists;
• UML and related software development and planning methodologies;
• XML markup language and file format for storing, transmitting, and reconstructing data;
• The following training, knowledge and/or experience is required:
• Embedded software development;
• MATLAB;
• Programming languages FORTRAN, C, C++, JAVA;
• Network communications;
• PLCs (Siemens and Allen-Bradley) hardware and programming;
• Data acquisition systems;
• Ability to read and draw PLC Ladder Logic diagrams.

Deadline:22nd February,2026

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Aeronautical Engineer in the Aerospace Systems Impact Area within the Defence and Security cluster. The incumbent will lead and execute advanced experimental aerodynamics initiatives, with a strong focus on wind tunnel testing and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) integration. The role includes design, analysis, and testing of aerospace systems such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), munitions, and aircraft. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to Research Group Leader: Aerospace Engineering.
• For more info about the cluster and impact area, please visit: https://www.csir.co.za/defence-and-security and https://www.csir.co.za/aeronautics-systems

Key responsibilities:

• Plan and execute wind tunnel test campaigns, including test design, sequencing, and client liaison;
• Perform aerodynamic data reduction, analysis, and reporting;
• Integrate CFD simulations with experimental data to enhance design insights;
• Lead research, development, and innovation in wind tunnel techniques and aeronautic systems;
• Manage multidisciplinary teams and project resources effectively;
• Support stakeholder engagement, including client consultations and industry representation;
• Contribute to the design and prototyping of aeronautic systems and subsystems;
• Ensure quality assurance and technical excellence in all testing and analysis activities.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor's degree (BEng/BSc) in aeronautical/mechanical engineering or related fields with at least five years' experience in aerospace and defence, with exposure in the following areas: 
• Experimental aerodynamics (wind tunnel testing);
• Aeronautical design;
• Modelling and simulation;
• Aerostructures;
• Aeroelasticity;
• CFD;
• A Master's or Doctoral degree and professional registration (PrEng) will be advantageous;
• Experience in the following is required:
• Experimental data interpretation;
• Mesh generation;
• CFD model validation;
• Programming and data analysis skills in MATLAB, Python, or similar platforms;
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and collaborate across disciplines;
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and planning capabilities;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Must be willing to travel, including internationally;
• Valid driver's license required.

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader: DLT 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 the provision of strategic and technical leadership to a 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/nextgen-enterprises-and-institutions..

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to strategic investment goal setting and development of RDI strategy;
• Implement the research, development and innovation (RD&I) strategy for the Research Centre;
• Lead researchers and engineers;
• Promote a culture of science, engineering and technology (SET) excellence and provide RDI leadership of multiple disciplines;
• 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 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;
• Lead the strategic direction and day-to-day execution of blockchain and DLT R&D projects, including managing a multidisciplinary team of engineers and data scientists.
• Ensure timely delivery of technically complex outcomes related to cryptocurrency analytics, on- and off-chain data, and related blockchain protocols.
• 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 Bachelor's degree in computer science/engineering, information technology or related field with at least six years¿ experience in blockchain/distributed ledger or cryptocurrency-related technologies within a Research Development and Innovation environment;
• 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;
• Project Management skills.
• Appropriate national and international Research Development and Innovation networks;
• An understanding of the research to market `innovation¿ value chain.

Deadline:26th February,2026

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About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Procurement Administrator in the Supply Chain Management Portfolio. The successful incumbent will manage all administrative organisational activities related to the operations and transactions of the procurement services team. This position is based in Pretoria.
• This position reports to Manager: Compliance and Reporting.

Key responsibilities:

Calls and Inquiries

• Manage procurement calls as well as monitor, allocate, assign, re-assign, follow up, report, resolve and close calls of all procurement services HEAT calls.
• Respond to the tender inquiry line and distribute inquiries appropriately.
• Activities/registers
• Management and upkeep of procurement transaction registers and dashboards
• Update and maintain the CSIR Procurement plan in line with legislation and National Treasury requirements to ensure that information submitted annually is updated as changes on the Procurement Plan occur in preparation for the quarterly submission to National Treasury.
• Reports
• Generate and provide reports to management on operational team activities, tenders, calls and mailboxes.
• Collect and provide information for auditing purposes.

Tenders

• Tender administration ¿ inclusive of all RFQs/RFPs that are published on behalf of the CSIR on either CSIR or National Treasury website. See bottom for more information on tender management ¿ Inclusive of this responsibility:
• Recording, follow-up, publishing, collecting, distribution, awarding, cancellations, withdrawals.
• Manage the tender mailbox- including distribution of all incoming queries, communications and responses with specific emphasis on communication to external entities
• Manage the CSIR procurement mailbox- including distribution of all incoming e-mails, with specific emphasis on follow-ups with procurement practitioners regarding outstanding actions.

Administration

• Record keeping of original and signed operational SCM documents, including publication of documents to Intraweb or designated location.
• Provide general administrative assistance to SCM group ¿ might also include standing in for other administrators including minute/ note taking of all operational meetings and managing the flow of documents/ approvals/ issues between the Executive, SCM management and Practitioners.
• Credit applications
• Complete all credit applications and information required to ensure efficiency in the procurement process and payment in a manner that covers organizational risk of pre-payments for goods/services not yet delivered.

Non-compliance incidents

• Administer all non-compliance incidents and ensure that the complete process has been followed correctly by all involved parties.

Procurement catalogues

• Update and maintain all procurement catalogues in line with supplier agreements.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A National Diploma in Supply Chain Management or equivalent qualification with three years` experience in Supply Chain environment
• Experience in office administration and management will be advantageous
• Administrative skill
• Detailed, focussed and meticulous
• Computer literacy
• Organisational skills
• Typing skills
• Numerical skills
• E-procurement knowledge
• Ability to deal with a diverse team of procurement practitioners
• Ability to deal with a large volume of work at times

Deadline:12th February,2026