Jobs at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Researcher in the Smart Places Cluster within the Water Center. The incumbent will conduct research in the hydrological field as it relates to the hydrological modeling and understanding of hydrological impacts of land-use changes. Particular focus will be on hydrological (surface water) modeling in support of resource quantity and quality assessments and techniques to promote smart water use, including the development of high-quality and commecialisable/implementable technical outputs. This position is based in Pretoria.

About the Smart Places Cluster

The CSIR, with its rich multidisciplinary science, engineering and technology base – in climate change, environmental sciences, energy, water, building science, spatial planning and cleaner production – is ideally positioned to contribute to smarter places, including smart buildings, cities and regions, manufacturing, water use and energy use. Applying these skills to create truly smart places, would significantly improve the lives of South Africans. Smart places are places with efficient utility services, such as electricity and water. In terms of water, expertise extends to water and wastewater treatment technologies, real-time water management systems, water resource monitoring and water resource risk mitigation.

Key responsibilities:

• Promote a culture of SET excellence (quality and delivery) and providing research leadership;
• Promote a culture of industrialization of research outcomes;
• Interact with stakeholders (clients, peers, etc.) within fields of expertise to develop long-term relationships both within and outside the CSIR;
• Conduct project management through robust, integrated planning;
• Raise personal, team and institutional profiles through publishing original research and presenting work at national and international conferences and workshops;
• Write, and review research proposals; research reports, client reports and peer-reviewed publications;
• Conceptualise, structure, manage and implement research projects;
• Contribute to policy research in support of South Africa’s national priorities;
• Liaise with both internal and external clients and other relevant stakeholders;
• Conceptualise, structure, management and implementation of multi-disciplinary research projects.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master's degree in hydrology, preference being a doctoral degree in hydrology with atleast least five years’ experience in hydrology as it relates to hydrological modeling and understanding of hydrological impacts of land-use changes through surface water quality and quantity assessments;
• Must at least have five years’ experience in hydrological modeling, water assessments and techniques;
• Applied knowledge and understanding of hydrological modeling and water assessments;
• Conceptualisation, structuring, management and implementation of multi-disciplinary research projects.;
• Contribute to policy research in support of South Africa’s national priorities;
• Write, and review research proposals; research reports, client reports and peer-reviewed publications;
• Liaise with both internal and external clients and other relevant stakeholders;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Project management skills;
• Research and report writing skills;
• Communication and presentation skills;
• Problem solving, solution seeking orientation;
• Ability to provide thought leadership and mentoring;
• High level conceptualisation and analytical skills;
• Excellent facilitation and interpersonal skills;

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader: Advanced Healthcare Materials within the Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, Chemicals Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for providing strategic and technical leadership to a research group, including people management, business development, financial sustainability and operations management. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to strategic investment goal setting and development of the RDI strategy of the group;
• Implement the research, development and innovation (RD&I) strategy for the Advanced Healthcare Materials research group ;
• Lead researchers, scientists and engineers;
• Promote a culture of science, engineering and technology (SET) excellence and provide RDI leadership of advanced Healthcare Material disciplines such as nanodrug delivery systems, bioconjugates, polymer modification and synthesis for biomedical applications, biotherapeutics, nanoengineered materials for biomedical applications, and other;
• Ensure that the area remains industry and/or service delivery relevant with national and international standing that is directed at cutting edge and relevant;
• 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 the operation, sustainable growth, impact and robustness of the 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 and business systems requirements, including operational approvals;
• Network with peers in the fields of 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 the planning of appropriate processes and policies to ensure Intellectual Property (IP) protection and technology transfer; and

In collaboration with the Business Development and Commercialization portfolio: 

• Drive the transfer of technology and solutions design to the 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 chemistry, biochemistry, chemical/biomedical engineering or related fields with at least five years’ experience in technologies domain research within an RDI environment;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
• Proven track record of scientific publications in the field of Advanced Healthcare Materials;
• Proven track record of generating and protecting IPs;
• Proven track record in the commercialization of technology and management of industry-funded projects; 
• Proven track record in project management and research project leadership;
• Proven experience in obtaining External public and private sector funding;
• Communication, presentation skills, research, and report writing skills;
• Ability to provide thought leadership and high-level conceptualization;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Ability to convert industry/clients requirements to technical deliverables;
• Ability to understand the complete integration of technology to produce a functional product or solution;
• Problem-solving, facilitation and interpersonal skills in a goal-oriented approach;
• Strong Project Management skills;
• Conflict management skills;
• Decisiveness and action orientation;
• Appropriate national and international RDI networks;
• An understanding of the research to market ‘innovation’ value chain.

Closing date: 30 August 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader in the Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials (CeNAM) within Chemicals Cluster, Advanced Chemistry and Life Sciences Division. The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of strategic and technical leadership to the HySA and CO2 Capture and Utilization Research Group, including people management, business development, financial sustainability and operations management. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide RDI leadership by implementing the HySA group RDI strategy, which is responsive to Chemicals Cluster/CeNAM RDI strategy-relevant technology trends, impact, growth, investment, R&D, technology transfer, commercialisation, Obtaining funding, HCD and transformation;
• Contribute to strategic investment goal setting and development of RDI strategy for the HySA and CO2 Capture and Utilization Group;
• Ensure a well-balanced impact capability- identify and develop specific (not general) impact/application domain knowledge;
• Ensure that HySA and CO2 Capture and Utilization team is dynamic, remain abreast of Science and Technology and industry trends, remaining innovative and competitive;
• Effective management of HySA and CO2 Capture and Utilization research group staff;
• Ensure a well-balanced cutting-edge SET capability, in terms of the elements of research, engineering design, or systems/enterprise engineering, to ensure integrated capability;
• 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 strategic stakeholder relationship management for the HySA and CO2 Capture and Utilization group to secure appropriate, integrated research and industry programmes;
• Implement and comply with appropriate management and systems requirements, including operational approvals;
• Apply appropriate processes and policies to ensure IP protection, technology transfer, impact and appropriate benefit from IP in collaboration with the Commercialisation Manager;
• Drive the transfer of technology and solutions design to industry/user environment and package technologies for commercialisation or develop an investment-ready business through financial modelling, market assessment and business plan development, in collaboration with the Business Development and Commercialisation portfolio.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Doctorate degree in chemical engineering/chemistry with at least five years’ of experience in fields of hydrogen production, storage, distribution and utilisation and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU);
• Professional registration will be advantageous;
• Sound experience in managing a team of multi-disciplinary professionals;
• Proven track record in project management and research project leadership;
• Proven experience in obtaining External public and private sector funding;
• Communication, presentation skills, research, and report writing skills;
• Ability to provide thought leadership and high-level conceptualisation;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Ability to convert industry/clients’ requirements to technical deliverables;
• Ability to understand complete integration of technology to produce a functional product;
• Problem solving, facilitation and interpersonal skills in a goal-oriented approach;
• Track record and/or ability to produce actual device such as sensor unit;
• Strong Project Management skills;
• Conflict management skills;
• Decisiveness and action orientation;
• Appropriate national and international RDI networks;
• An understanding of the research to market ‘innovation’ value chain.

Closing date: 29 August 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader: Advanced Functional Materials in the Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials (CeNAM), within the Chemicals 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.

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to strategic investment goal setting and development of RDI strategy of the group;
• Implement the research, development and innovation (RD&I) strategy for the advanced functional materials group;
• Lead researchers and engineers;
• Promote a culture of science, engineering and technology (SET) excellence and provide RDI leadership of multiple disciplines such as nanodrug delivery systems, nanocosmetics formulation, bioconjugates, polymer modification and synthesis, supercritical encapsulation technology, nano-micro emulsion systems and spray-drying, and soft nanohybrid systems;
• Ensure that the area remains industry and/or service delivery relevant with national and international standing that is directed at cutting edge work and is relevant to potential funders;
• 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 field and 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 Doctoral degree in chemistry, chemical engineering material sciences or related fields with at least five years’ experience in technologies domain research within an RDI environment;
• Sound experience in managing a team of multi-disciplinary professions;
• Proven track record of scientific publications in the field of Advanced Healthcare Materials;
• Proven track record of generating and protecting IPs;
• Proven track record in the commercialization of technology and management of industry-funded projects;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Business Development and financial acumen;
• Proven track record in project management and research project leadership;
• Proven experience in obtaining External public and private sector funding;
• Communication, presentation skills, research, and report writing skills;
• Ability to provide thought leadership and high-level conceptualization;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Ability to convert industry/clients requirements to technical deliverables;
• Ability to understand the complete integration of technology to produce a functional product or solution;
• Problem-solving, facilitation and interpersonal skills in a goal-oriented approach;
• Strong Project Management skills;
• Conflict management skills;
• Decisiveness and action orientation;
• Appropriate national and international RDI networks;
• An understanding of the research to market ‘innovation’ value chain;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Closing date: 28 August 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Candidate Firmware and Embedded Software Engineer in the Radar and Electronic Warfare Impact Area within the Defence and Security cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to develop firmware and embedded software for high-speed digital hardware for the Electronic Warfare teams that integrate the capabilities for conceptualization, development and supply of specialised radar test and evaluation equipment.  This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop VHDL firmware and embedded software for high-speed digital modules and control, interface and signal distribution modules;
• Debug, set-to-work and testing of firmware;
• Support configuration control and version management of designs and associated files.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Engineering in electronic / computer engineering;
• Work experience in VHDL firmware will be advantageous;
• An Honours or Masters’ degree in the relevant field will be advantageous;

Experience in the following:

• Debugging VHDL firmware;
• Firmware and embedded software development;

Must have the following skills/training:

• Formal / Informal VHDL Training;
• Formal / Informal Embedded Software Training;
• Multiple operating systems;
• Proven capability of document preparation.

Closing date: 19 August 2023