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

About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Principal Systems Engineer in the Command, Control and Integrated Systems within the Defence and Security cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to design enterprise and technical systems that will secure infrastructure and the enterprise against physical security threats with innovation as the threats evolve. The position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

• Perform risk assessments (threats, hazards and vulnerabilities);
• Facilitate the elicitation of requirements and communication of results;
• Develop operational concepts that address the security risks;
• Provide policy inputs;
• Design system architectures for realising the operational concepts;
• Oversee the implementation of a system;
• Validate the implemented system;
• Mentor internal teams/individuals on security design; and
• Author technical security documents and papers.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Engineering degree in industrial, electronics, computer, mechanical engineering with at least fifteen years' engineering experience, of which ten years should be in systems engineering;
• A Master's degree in industrial, electronics, computer, mechanical engineering is advantageous;
• Security qualifications/accreditations is advantageous;
• Experience in Model-based systems engineering, using tools such as CORE or Genesys, and security technologies will be advantageous;
• Risk assessment experience is required;
• Knowledge of systems engineering is fundamental to this position supported by strong systems thinking skills;
• Facilitation and communication, both verbal and written across technical and non-technical audiences;
• Ability to manage self, others, time and finances;
• Basic research abilities.
• Good MS Office skills.

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About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Master's Studentship: Radar 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 the field of Radar focussing on the topics that include advanced Radar image and signal processing, modelling and simulation, artificial intelligence in Radar, Radar system and application RD&I. This position is based in Pretoria.

Research Areas:  

• Advanced Radar Imaging (e.g. bi-static / multi-static imaging, drone/UAV based radar imaging, improved information extraction, multi-band imaging)
• Radar Signal Processing (including application of AI / Machine Learning to Radar signal processing)
• Object Classification using Radar
• Radar Cross Section Modelling
• Radar based Remote Sensing Applications in the Defence and Security Domain
• Radar System Improvements (e.g. adaptive beamforming, multi-input multi-output, waveform design)
• Security and Defence Applications (e.g. spaceborne, border surveillance, asset protection)

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare a research proposal to be approved by both the CSIR and the university;
• Write a literature overview of the current state-of-the-art relevant to your research topic;
• Perform research to solve the open research problem(s) as identified in your proposal;
• Produce sufficient quantity and quality of peer-reviewed publications based on the Master's research topic;
• Compile a high-quality Masters dissertation;
• Successful completion of your Master's; and
• Contribute to extra project / student activities that may be outside the scope of the Master's research as per the needs of the CSIR Research Group. The amount of such work shall be limited to 20% of the total time. (e.g. working on an aspect of a CSIR Radar project, involvement in CSIR student pipeline / outreach projects).

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• An Honours degree in electronic/computer engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, or related fields;
• Register for a Master's qualification at a 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 electronic engineering, signal processing and/or image processing;
• Experience and knowledge of Radar, machine learning and/or artificial intelligence would be beneficial;
• Working knowledge of related programming languages such as Matlab, Python, R, Java, C#, C++, and the Linux operating system, and others applicable;
• Experience in software and/or hardware development for experimentation and/or computer simulation with a hands-on approach would be beneficial;
• Good understanding of the scientific method: design of experiments, running experiments, critical analysis of results, and dissemination of knowledge;
• Good communication skills in English (verbal and written) is required;
• Ability to work efficiently with others in a diverse team is required.

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About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Doctoral Studentship: Radar 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 the field of Radar focussing on the topics that include advanced Radar image and signal processing, modelling and simulation, artificial intelligence in Radar, Radar system and application RD&I.  This position is based in Pretoria.

Research Areas: 

• Advanced Radar Imaging (e.g. bi-static / multi-static imaging, drone/UAV based radar imaging, improved information extraction, multi-band imaging)
• Radar Signal Processing (including application of AI / Machine Learning to Radar signal processing)
• Object Classification using Radar
• Radar Cross Section Modelling
• Radar based Remote Sensing Applications in the Defence and Security Domain
• Radar System Improvements (e.g. adaptive beamforming, multi-input multi-output, waveform design)
• Novel Security and Defence Applications (e.g. spaceborne, border surveillance, asset protection)

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare a research proposal to be approved by both the CSIR and the university;
• Write a literature overview of the current state-of-the-art relevant to your research topic;
• Perform original research to solve the open research problem(s) as identified in your proposal;
• Produce sufficient quantity and quality of peer-reviewed publications based on the Doctoral research topic;
• Compile a high-quality Doctoral thesis;
• Successful defending of your Doctoral research work; and
• Contribute to extra project / student activities that may be outside the scope of the Doctoral research as per the needs of the CSIR Research Group. The amount of such work shall be limited to 20% of the total time. (E.g. working on an aspect of a CSIR Radar project, involvement in CSIR student pipeline / outreach projects).

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• A Master's degree (or at least evidence of having completed the requirements for a Master's degree) in electronic/computer engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, or related fields;
• Register for a doctoral qualification, aligned with the field of Radar, at a 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 electronic engineering, signal processing and/or image processing, and ideally have done postgraduate work at Master's or Honour's level in Radar systems;
• Knowledge of machine learning and/or artificial intelligence would be beneficial;
• Working knowledge of related programming languages such as Matlab, Python, R, Java, C#, C++, and the Linux operating system, and others applicable;
• Experience in software and/or hardware development for experimentation and/or computer simulation with a hands-on approach is required;
• Good understanding of the scientific method: design of experiments, running experiments, critical analysis of results, and dissemination of knowledge;
• Good communication skills in English (verbal and written) is required;
• A good peer-reviewed publication record will be advantageous; and
• Ability to work efficiently with others in a diverse team is required.

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About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Doctoral Studentship in the Landward Sciences Impact Area, within the Defence and Security Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for undertaking research and development in the field of Biomechanical engineering focussing on the topics that include the effects of explosive and ballistic threats on the human body and the development of protective technologies.
• The Impact Area integrates experimental, computational, and analytical approaches to improve soldier survivability and understand injury mechanisms in extreme environments.  This position is based in Pretoria.

Research areas: 

• Field and laboratory instrumentation of Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs).
• Finite element analysis (FEA) of the human body biomechanical response to explosive and impact forces utilising advanced computational modeling and simulation tools such as LS-DYNA, MSC Dytran, or Abaqus.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of vehicles designed to withstand landmines, along with systems, and test rigs for repetitive blast and ballistic assessments.
• Experimental biomechanics, which involves the integration of sensors, the collection of data, and the analysis of injury metrics according to various national and international standards. 
• Development and evaluation of blast and ballistic protective systems to enhance landmine-protected vehicles and crew survivability.

Key responsibilities:

• Prepare a research proposal to be approved by both the CSIR and the university. The research proposal must be aligned with the research group¿s key objectives.
• 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.
• Design and execute biomechanical field and laboratory experiments using ATDs, RSA Surrogate Legs, including the integration of blast and ballistics measurement sensors.
• Develop and validate computational models of various human injury mechanisms.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including defence partners and academic institutions.
• Present findings at conferences and contribute to technical reports and project deliverables
• Compile the Doctoral thesis and defend 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.

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

• A Master's degree in biomechanical/biomedical engineering (with a biomechanics research focus area), or related discipline.
• Register for a Doctoral qualification within a 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); 
• Solid background in the biomechanics of human injury, computational modeling, and experimental techniques.
• Proficiency with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, i.e., LS-DYNA, Abaqus, or MSC Dytran.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python).
• Excellent 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.
• South African citizenship or permanent residency.

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About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Operations Manager in the Advanced Agriculture Food Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for creating an effective and efficient Cluster level operations environment to enable the delivery and achievement of short-term operational goals and targets and efficient day-to-day operations.
• Ensuring that operations are effectively managed and resources efficiently aligned to deliver value.  
• Overseeing the SHEQ and risk management activities and facilitating engagements with Shared Services staff.  This position is based in Pretoria
• For more information about the cluster https://www.csir.co.za/Advanced Agriculture Food

Key responsibilities:

• Drive Cluster Operations together with Cluster Executive, Impact Area and Research Centre Managers and relevant Project Managers;
• Ensure the integration of Cluster level business operations considerations for effective and efficient delivery;
• Responsible for the development and implementation of systems and processes to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the business operations of cluster;
• Coordinate resources to perform overall business operations including support functions in collaboration with Cluster Executive, Impact Area and Research Centre Managers and relevant Project Managers;
• Oversee the quality operations of the business operations related solutions, plans and reports for the relevant clusters in collaboration with Cluster Executive, Impact Area and Research Centre Managers and relevant Project Managers;
• Contribute to the budgeting process in collaboration with Finance, line management and Business Development and Commercialisation portfolio;
• Monitor Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with central portfolios;
• Develop, improve and maintain business systems including quality;
• Exchange information, track service delivery progress and quality, assist with service improvement efforts and report progress to Divisional Operations Manager and Cluster Executive;
• Track delivery and ensure achievement of short-term operational performance goals against targets for clusters; 
• Accountable for risk management including Health and Safety in the cluster;
• Coordinate internal and external audits within the division.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours degree in agriculture, biology, chemistry, food science, process engineering and related field or management domain, with at least five years experience in a complex, multi-projects and matrix type environment with a solid track record in the following
• Operational planning and implementation;
• Solid understanding of business planning and regulatory issues;
• Project and programme management;
• Business and finance management;
• A solid grasp of data analysis and performance metrics, for informed decision-making.
• A post-graduate qualification in Business Administration will be advantageous;
• Relevant certification or accreditation in operations management will be advantageous;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

The incumbent should have: 

• Organisational skills;
• Project and portfolio management;
• Excellent communicator with strong business understanding ¿ both verbal and written;
• Financial Management;
• Enterprise risk management;
• Stakeholder Relationship Management;
• Business development;
• Ability to diagnose problems quickly and have foresight into potential issues;
• Advance MS Office suite, including presentations.

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for an Industrial Engineer in the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing impact area, within the Manufacturing cluster. The candidates will be responsible to optimise foundry and powder metallurgy production processes, improve efficiency, and ensure quality in the manufacturing of parts, components, and systems, while driving cost-effective solutions and continuous improvement initiatives. Implementation of 4IR technologies in operations.
• This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Analyse and optimise casting, sintering, compaction, and finishing processes to improve efficiency and reduce cycle times.
• Conduct time studies and process simulations to develop standard work procedures and improve machine utilisation.
• Improve furnace efficiency, powder blending uniformity, and material handling for consistent product quality
• Optimise powder mixing, pressing, sintering, and secondary operations to enhance density and mechanical properties
• Reduce scrap rates and improve yield in compaction and sintering by controlling process variables
• Integrate robotics, automation, and IoT sensors for real-time process monitoring in foundry and powder metallurgy operations.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies and equipment to enhance productivity and efficiency
• Implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to reduce defects such as porosity, inclusions, and cracks
• Develop and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent quality in metal powders and cast parts
• Reduce material waste by improving powder recovery, recycling processes, and metal utilisation
• Adhere to compliance with OSHA, EPA, and industry-specific safety regulations for foundry and powder metallurgy operations
• Enhance workplace safety by improving ventilation, dust control, and ergonomics in metalworking environments

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A bachelors degree in industrial engineering or related field;
• A masters degree in industrial engineering will be advantageous;
• Five years experience in applied research environment or in a related industry;
• Solid experience in product development
• 3+ years of experience in foundry / powder metallurgy / metals processing related industries preferred;
• Solid understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and SPC Methodologies;
• Proficiency in CAD, simulation tools, ERP/MRP systems, and data analytics;
• Sound problem-solving, leadership, and project management skills

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Software Engineer in the Radar and Electronic Warfare Impact Area within the Defence and Security Cluster.
• The incumbent will be responsible to design and develop software applications, tools, modules, libraries and sub-systems for use in the Integrated Radar Software Solutions Research Group.
• This role will play a vital part in high-impact projects from advanced land and naval surveillance radar sensors to SAR sensing systems in UAV, and spaceborne platforms. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop cutting edge real-time software;
• Push the boundaries of current technology in processing throughput;
• Be part of a team developing breakthrough radar technology in South Africa, set for deployment in the global defence market;
• Develop high-performance systems that challenge the limits of radar and system design;
• Engineer groundbreaking solutions at the heart of next-generation radar systems.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Engineering degree in electronic or computer engineering with at least five years' experience; OR
• A Master's degree in electronic or computer engineering with at least three years' experience;

Experience in the following is required:

• Digital Signal Processing;
• C++ (preferably, otherwise C or C#), and Python;
• Data structures, algorithms, concurrency, and code optimization;
• GIT Version Control and CI/CD tools;
• Linux development environments;
• Understanding of how networks work.

Experience in the following will be advantageous;

• Modern C++ standards and libraries;
• Object-oriented programming;
• GPGPU programming (CUDA);
• Control system development;
• Data acquisition;
• Radar, Communications or Electronic Warfare signal processing
• UI/UX development (e.g. in Qt);
• Embedded systems;
• Production software environments;
• End-to-end lifecycle of software development.
• High ownership and autonomy across the end-to-end lifecycle of software development.
• Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and established code bases.

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About the job: 

• The Southern Ocean Carbon Climate Observatory at the CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Researcher. The incumbent will investigate the role and interactions of waves, current and wind in driving surface ocean turbulence (mixing) and the subsequent role in modulating air-sea gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
• This will be carried out using in situ observations from co-ordinated twinned deployments of surface Wave Gliders and Slocum buoyancy gliders, equipped with microstructure shear probes, ADCP, wave height sensor, surface meteorological and CO2 flux sensors (VeGAS-pCO2).
• Integration with satellite-derived reanalyses products, wave model simulations, and turbulence theory will allow the researcher to assess how wind-wave-bubble mixing processes influence CO2 and exchange at event-to-seasonal scales, and  how these processes may contribute to regional differences in carbon and oxygen budgets.
• This position is based in Rosebank, Cape Town.

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to experimental design and the implementation of the glider field campaigns;
• Ensure community best practices for pre-deployment calibration of glider sensors (oxygen) are followed, and assist in quality control of resultant datasets;
• Analyse, interpret, and integrate observational and modelling datasets to address the projects scientific objectives, publishing results in peer-reviewed journals and contributing to high-visibility science outputs.
• Participate in the broader collaborative activities of the SOCCO programme, with opportunities for international interdisciplinary research. 
• Work within a dynamic, world-leading team and help shape future strategies for ocean carbon-climate monitoring and management

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Doctoral degree in physical oceanography, environmental/Earth science, chemistry, physics with at least five years experience conducting oceanographic research with ocean robotics (gliders).
• Experience in measuring, post processing and interpreting glider data fields (e.g. temp, salinity, optics, oxygen etc).
• An understanding of upper ocean physical processes (surface boundary layer) and (sub)mesoscale dynamics
• Strong coding experience (Matlab/Python) towards data processing, analysis and visualisation.
• A desire to participate in research cruises.
• Demonstrated track record of international collaboration and publications in leading peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent communication skills, including capacity-building and postgraduate supervision.
• Capacity for independent work and working under pressure.
• A track record of conference presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience in analysis of ocean microstructure data.
• Experience of student supervision.

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Radio Frequency (RF) Systems Engineer in the Radar and Electronic Warfare (EW) Impact Area within the Defence and Security cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to model, design and develop RF modules, sub-systems and antennas. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

• Interpret EW system requirements and specifications for design and development;
• Generate detail sub-system and Module item development specifications.
• Detail modelling of RF module- and antenna designs;
• Design, develop and test Radio Frequency Hardware;
• Debug, fault find and perform testing of RF Hardware including detail design validation.
• Comply with project configuration management systems and practice;
• Generate data packs and design documentation;
• Generate and execute appropriate acceptance test procedures.
• Understand and implement full development life cycle;

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Engineering degree in electronic engineering with at least five years' relevant RF experience; OR
• A Master's degree in RF or electronic warfare engineering field with at least three years' relevant RF experience;

Experience in the following is required:

• Antenna design, testing and measurement,
• RF Hardware design and testing (Up/down converters),
• Simulation for design aspects as required,
• Radio Freq, L, S, C, X, Ku, K and Ka-bands,
• Radar and Electronic Warfare design will be advantageous;
• Knowledge of schematic design and PC board layout
• General analogue electronics (e.g. op-amp circuits, power supplies) will be advantageous
• Mechanical and thermal interface concept design of RF and antenna circuits will be advantageous
• Must be able to interface with other engineers for detail design;

The following skills and/or training will be advantageous: 

• MATLAB development
• FEKO or similar simulation environments,
• Hardware and software interfacing;
• Systems engineering;
• Understanding of RF and digital sub-systems;
• Understanding of the implementation considerations for hardware and software;
• Proven capability of document preparation;

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Firmware, Hardware and Embedded Software Engineer in the Radar and Electronic Warfare Impact Area. 
• The incumbent will be responsible for the development of world-class firmware and embedded software for high-speed digital hardware. 
• This role plays a vital part in high-impact projects from advanced land and naval surveillance radar sensors to SAR sensing systems in Unmanned Arieal Vehicles (UAVs), and spaceborne platforms. 
• The position is based in Pretoria and will reports to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

Interpretation of requirements and specifications

• Interpret user requirements.
• Generate detailed item development specification.
• Generate acceptance test plans and reports.

Digital and Analogue design

• Use VHDL and/or Verilog to develop code for programmable logic devices (FPGAs);
• Implement Firmware designs on both pure digital and mixed digital, analogue and RF devices.
• Design complex high-speed-digital and high-bandwidth-analogue functions;
• Perform simulations to verify design functions both for electrical and firmware designs;

Debugging and Verification

• Debug designs;
• Perform formal functional verification and acceptance testing;
• Perform system and sub-system integration;
• Complete acceptance test reports

Generation of data pack and design documentation

• Generate manufacturing data packs;
• Generate design documentation
• Capture data into data management system.

Mentoring and Coaching of junior staff

• Mentor junior staff in VHDL and Firmware designs;
• Mentor junior staff in digital and analogue design, simulation and verification,

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Engineering degree in electronic engineering with at least five years' of experience in firmware development; OR
• A Master's degree in electronic engineering with at least three years' experience in firmware development;

Experience in the following is required:

• VHDL firmware development of complex systems;
• Debugging of firmware and hardware;
• Capability of document preparation;

Experience in the following will be advantageous:

• Verilog;
• High-speed digital and mixed signal design.
• Proven capability of delegating tasks to junior colleagues;
• Capability of helping in the development and career growth of junior colleagues.

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Firmware, Hardware and Embedded Software Engineer in the Radar and Electronic Warfare Impact Area. The incumbent will be responsible to develop world-class high-speed digital hardware, firmware and embedded software. The position is in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

The successful candidate would be involved in the development of electronic modules and sub-systems. This will include, amongst others, the following:

Interpretation of requirements and specifications:

• Interpret user requirement
• Generate detailed item development specifications, acceptance test plans and
• Generate acceptance test plans and reports

Digital and Analogue design

• Participate in complex high-speed digital and high-bandwidth analogue design;
• Develop codes for programmable logic using VHDL;
• Conduct simulations to verify design functions both for firmware and electronic designs;
• Do schematic capture

Debugging and Verification

• Debug designs using state-of-the-art equipment;
• Conduct formal functional verification and formal acceptance testing;
• Participate in system and sub-system integration;
• Complete acceptance test reports.

Generation of data pack and design documentation

• Generate manufacturing data pack and design documentation;
• Capture data into data management system.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Engineering in electronic engineering with at least two years' experience in firmware development .
• A Master's degree with at least one year experience in firmware development .

Candidate must have experience in the following:

• FPGA development using either Vivado or Quartus environments.
• VHDL Firmware development of complex systems, Verilog experience would be considered an additional advantage.
• Design and set to work of high-speed digital and mixed signal PC Boards.
• Debugging of hardware.
• Proven capability of document preparation.
• Must be comfortable working in Linux environments and navigating command-line interfaces.