Jobs at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Software Developer in the Emerging Digital Technologies for fourth Industrial Revolution (EDT4IR) Research Centre.
• The incumbent will be responsible for designing, developing and implementing blockchain and distributed ledger systems architecture and solutions. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop cutting-edge blockchain solutions and remain well-versed in new technologies in the evolving blockchain space;
• Lead blockchain project(s) of moderate to high complexity, ensuring that all features are delivered successfully within the agreed timelines.
• Create and maintain technical documentation (incl. API docs, team engineering wikis);
• Supervise/mentor junior staff in the area(s) of expertise;
• Contribute to the improvement of RD&I processes within the impact area or research group;
• Generate and contribute towards science, engineering and technology (SET) activity outputs e.g. reports, guidelines, system requirements, peer-reviewed publications, and technology and software packages;
• Understand and interpret client requirements by contributing to user requirement analysis and/or well-articulated proposals;
• Remain current in field of expertise with respect to new approaches in tools, methods or technologies;
• Participate in client engagement meetings to conduct technical demonstration, presentations and elicit detailed requirements;
• Contribute to strategic planning sessions within the impact area or research group;
• Participate in external task teams or committees in relevant domains.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer/electronic engineering, information technology or related field with at least five years’ software development experience in blockchain/distributed ledger technologies;
• An Honours or a Master’s degree will be advantageous;

Exposure in the following:

• Software development in the field of Blockchain/Distributed Ledger Technology or a related area;
• Front-end Frameworks: Angular, Vue, React, Next.js, Vite;
• Back-end Frameworks:  Python Flask, CherryPI or Pyramid, Node.js, ExpressJS, SpringBoot;
• Version Control: Git;
• Databases: SQL (Postgres, MySQL), NoSQL (MongoDB, CouchDB, ClickHouse);
• Infrastructure and DevOps: Container Technologies (Docker or Podman), Container Orchestration (Docker Compose or Kubernetes), Continuous Integration (Jenkins, TravisCI, GitlabCI, CircleCI), Monitoring Tools (Grafana, Prometheus);
• Cloud-based platforms: AWS, Digital Ocean, Azure, Heroku Cloud;
• Distributed System Architecture: Client/Server, P2P, Microservices, SOA, Event-driven (pub/sub messaging); 
• System Design: Load Balancing, Caching, Sharding and Replication, Rate Limiting, Message Queues, Horizontal and Vertical Scaling, Fault Tolerance, API Design;
• Project management;
• Ability to demonstrate Object-orientated software engineering skills;
• Programming languages: C++, Java, Rust, Python, Solidity, JavaScript, Go.
• Must show initiative in building applications using blockchain technology;

Advantageous skills:

• Understanding of various blockchain technologies and the major differences among them (Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance);
• An understanding of designing/implementing algorithms and data structures for use in real-life systems;
• Knowledge of cryptography and established encryption protocols;
• Understanding of basic application architectures like MVC, MVVM, MVI and Microservices;
• Understanding of fundamentals of communication architectures including but not limited to Client-Server (REST), Event-Driven (publish/subscribe messaging), Enterprise Service Bus;
• Knowledge of DLT development tools, such as Interactive Console, Test Net and Solc Compiler;
• Knowledge of Open-Source development tools and platforms.

Closing Date

• 28/09/2025

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Operations Coordinator in the Cluster Operations Department within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster.
• The incumbent will be responsible for the application of operational activities to ensure an effective and efficient operations environment to enable the delivery and achievement of operation goals and targets, and efficient day-to-day operations.
• This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Cluster Operations Manager.

Key responsibilities:

• Coordinate and ensure preparation of inputs from the cluster to internal and external reporting/information requests;
• Participate in the development of business operations standards, systems, tools and trends required for Cluster operations and performance enhancement;
• Evaluate performance using data and metrics and prepare inputs on decision making and improved business processes and systems;
• Initiate, coordinate, consolidate and ensure completion of inputs into the Cluster’s monthly, quarterly, year end and adhoc reports;
• Analyse, validate and interpret data for reporting and management decision making and prepare reporting thereof;
• Coordinate and manage communication with internal stakeholder and relevant Managers to ensure timeous submission of reports;
• Monitor/track performance or delivery on all Cluster KPIs and provide support to departments;
• Ensure accurate records management of all proof / supporting evidence for KPI deliverables, minutes, reports received from various Impact Areas/ Centers and Support departments in line with the CSIR Record Management processes
• Coordinate Committee and Panel meetings
• Prepare, finalise and distribute all meeting documentation (agenda items, meeting pack, meeting minutes, etc) timeously
• Review and update reporting templates as and when required
• Follow up on submissions and action items arising from the meeting minutes
• Identify and mitigate enterprise risks
• Prepare and update Cluster wide risk registers.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in science, engineering or management domain with at least three years’ experience in operational planning and implementation;

Experience in the following would be advantageous:

• Enterprise Risk Management;
• Stakeholder Relationship Management;
• Ability to anticipate, recognise and meet the needs of internal and external customers ;
• Ability to plan, manage, monitor and evaluate specific activities to ensure project objectives are achieved
• Conflict management skills
• Decisiveness and action orientation
• Organisational Skills
• Excellent communication skills with business understanding (both verbal and written)
• Advanced MS Office, including presentations, Excel, etc
• Basic Finance Management skills
• Basic Project Management skills

Closing Date

• 10/09/2025

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Group Assistant in the Aerospace Systems Impact Area within Defence and Security cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to provide secretarial and administrative support services to two managers that work in close collaboration and the team. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

• Coordinate and schedule the weekly activities of the Managers;
• Maintain the daily update of a fully functional filing system (hard copy and electronic) where documents and reference materials can be retrieved timeously;
• Screen incoming parcels and respond in the Managers’ absence when necessary;
• Assist in prioritising tasks on the Managers’ diaries and take proactive responsibility for relevant actions;
• Draft correspondence, proofread and edit documents when necessary on behalf of the Managers’;
• Organise meetings and events such as Impact Area Management team meetings, workshops, strategy sessions and ad hoc visits when needed, including drafting agendas and taking minutes at meetings as required;
• Follow up on actions emanating from meetings on behalf of the Managers and the team;
• Coordinate travel arrangements of the Managers’ and the team as required, including liaising with the inhouse travel agents;
• Responsible for putting purchase orders on the system as and when required;
• Work closely with the Impact Area operations;
• Procure equipment, stationery and all building maintenance necessities to ensure effective functioning of day-to-day business;
• Maintain good contact with senior stakeholders internally and externally;
• Prepare expense reconciliations such as traveling expenses and other processed orders;

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A National diploma or NQF6 equivalent qualification in office administration or related fields with at least three years’ experience as a Secretary or Personal Assistant to a Manager
• Experience in Information Management Systems such as use of SharePoint, and OneDrive software for storage and retrieval of documents and information as well as MS and MS Teams would be advantageous
• Experience and training in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Experience in utilising CSIR systems would be an advantage;

Must be able to:

• Build relationships (including listening, interpersonal sensitivity and the ability to read and interact with people);
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and human dignity;
• Exercise tact and good judgement with highly sensitive information;
• Function independently and within a team;
• Promote a professional, friendly and informed first point of contact between the  Group Leaders and their staff, clients and stakeholder.

Must be/have the following:

• Customer service orientated and pays attention to detail;
• Ethical behaviour, honesty, transparency and live the CSIR values;
• Action-orientated and demonstrate initiative;
• Good planning and organising skills;
• Excellent verbal and written communication;
• Willingness to perform information searches on the Internet and relevant books, journals and magazines in accordance requirements to capture researchers’ published articles on TODB system

Closing Date

• 08/09/2025