Jobs at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Key responsibilities:

Under supervision, the Intern will be required to:

• Attend technical and on-the-job training as required across the internship areas 
• Perform research to solve the open research problem(s) as identified in different research and technical projects within the internship areas.
• Contribute towards software development, and data analytics and cybersecurity engineering in selected projects as per the internship areas.
• Complete technical project activities as assigned across the internship development areas.
• Present projects to the clients and/or relevant stakeholders.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A National Diploma in computer engineering, computer science, information technology, information systems or a related/relevant field;
• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent NQF 7 will be advantageous;

Must have:

• Background in computer systems, data science, information security, cybersecurity and/or software development.
• Practical knowledge of related programming languages such as Python, R, Java, C# and the Linux operating system (and others applicable).
• Knowledge and exposure in software development for experimentation and prototyping.
• Good understanding of cybersecurity concepts and protocols
• Good communication skills (verbal and written) and ability to interact efficiently with diverse teams of people; and discipline to work individually.
• Good time management skills, problem solving as well as critical thinking. 
• Ability to work with different types of data sets and good grasp of analytical tools.

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Key responsibilities

• Receive, prepare and inspect rope test specimens;
• Confirm accurate receiving of ropes by confirming accuracy of paperwork;
• Ensure accuracy of information supplied on test application form when receiving samples;
• Accurate recording of information in the rope receiving book on a consistent basis;
• Transport big and heavy rope specimens from one station to the next in the laboratory using a big trolley;
• Cast white metal collars and sockets on rope ends using hot molten metal at 300 degrees;
• Un-laying (brushing) of rope ends using pliers and pipes;
• Degrease ropes daily in a hot degreasing chemical; 
• Replenishing strong degreasing chemicals in various containers;
• Draining contaminated/hazardous grease from degreasing bath;
• Casting of white metal and resin end caps using hot molten metal at temperatures of up to 300 degrees;
• Preparing the broken rope specimen for inspection (separating broken wires, clean wires in solvent) using paraffin;
• Operate overhead cranes;
• Organise work to ensure minimum preparation turnaround times;
• Ensure that the correct personnel are informed in good time, of any depletion of consumables or materials, when minimum stock levels are reached; 
• Manage and use consumables efficiently to avoid waste;
• Carry out planned maintenance actions as indicated by the Lab Supervisor before use. 
• Clean machines, daily housekeeping and basic equipment maintenance in area of responsibility, to minimise equipment downtime;
• Comply with the laboratory's safety and quality rules and procedures;
• Comply with the Quality Management System, ISO 17025:2017 standard, SANAS requirements, DMS regulations and customer needs consistently. 

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

• An N3 or NQF level 4 qualification in mechanical engineering or relevant field with at least one year experience working as a general worker;
• Physical fitness including working at heights, climbing ladders, working in confined spaces;
• Driver's license will be advantageous; 
• Crane operator's licence (Up to 7.5 tons); 
• Literacy and numeracy skills; 
• Basic knowledge of laboratory techniques
• Basic understanding/knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 and OHS;
• Good communication skills;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

Closing date: 12 August 2026

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Key responsibilities:

Project Management

• Oversee and conduct project planning and documentation to ensure it complies with required internal project management framework(s) and standards
• Establish project plan and initiate project mobilization by confirming project scope, estimate, resources, roles and responsibilities to ensure effective management of project delivery
• Provide leadership and decision-making support by establishing project governance i.e. schedule management, methodology compliance, RIC (risk, issue, change) management, resource management, and financial management.
• Monitor and control execution of project though Analyse, Design, Build, Test and Release
• Develop integrated work plan
• Develop project resource plan that documents resource requirements and assign individual responsibilities
• Provide management information related to projects to ensure timeous communication to project stakeholders 
• Participate in business systems planning and detailed analytical studies
• Manage the development of project control schedules and conduct internal and external reviews
• Monitor and analyse project progress and take corrective action as needed to maintain/reset project delivery expectations
• Proactively escalate and manage risks and issues and facilitate dialogue that addresses complicated cross-team challenges
• Conduct project financial management 
• Maintain project KPIs and track performance
• Participate in programme-level dependency management discussions
• Ensure that project documentation is complete, current and stored appropriately
• Advise project teams on how to perform PLM tasks and create deliverables, with hands -on support as needed.
• Actively manage the vendor relationships
• Recommend changes to the CSIR Project Management Frameworks, Models and Standards to ensure adoption of international best practice.
• Provide expert advice to all staff to ensure adherence to project charter and plan of ICT standards and procedures and best practices required to ensure the availability, accessibility and utilization of infrastructure in line with CSIR business needs.
• Stay up to date with technology and industry trends by proactively participating in self-study, conferences, webcasts, user group participation, reading or other relevant means

Qualifications, skills and experience:

A national diploma (NQF 6) in Computer science/engineering, Information technology with at least eight years of relevant experience in project management and delivery, with at least four years of proven track record of managing or leading complex ICT projects, including a solid track record in:

• On-time, on-budget and to specification delivery of projects
• Leading projects using formal project management methodologies
• Experience in managing large technology implementation programs
• Working on complex, cross-functional projects
• Project coordination
• Effective utilization of ICT resources (people, costs and technology environment)
• Resolving problems and mitigating risks 
• A bachelor's degree (NQF Level 7) (advantageous)
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

Closing date: 12 August2026

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Key responsibilities:

• Perform research and development work in a multi-disciplinary team;
• Design of electronic subsystems;
• Analog and digital circuit design;
• Printed circuit board (PCB) design;
• Software development in C/C++, including GUI and test applications on a PC as well as embedded firmware;
• Perform sub-system and system integration;
• Test and troubleshoot electronic circuits and systems;
• Compile test and research reports;
• Field testing and evaluation of equipment in a maritime environment;
• Generate design data packs and product documentation.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Engineering in electronic engineering with at least three years' in electronic engineering experience.

Experience related in the following fields:

• Interpret requirements and specifications;
• Analog and digital circuit design;
• Schematic and PCB design with Altium Designer or similar;
• Debug designs and perform verification testing;
• Proficiency in the C programming language, as well as a higher-level object-oriented language, would be advantageous;
• Embedded firmware development;
• Generate design documentation, data packs and build history files.
• Proficiency with standard electronic laboratory equipment, e.g. signal generator, oscilloscope, multimeter, soldering equipment;
• Must be a South African citizen - NO dual citizenship;
• Able to obtain a valid South African security clearance;
• Must have a valid (Code B or higher) driver's licence;
• Fit to travel to client sites and execute physical fieldwork on structures (e.g. scaffolding), maritime platforms (e.g. high-speed boats) and confined spaces (e.g. ship compartments).

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Key responsibilities:

• Interpret requirements and specifications;
• Design and develop embedded firmware for microcontrollers and IoT systems; 
• Build, test, and debug embedded systems prototypes; 
• Collaborate with the product design team to integrate electronics into hardware systems; 
• Provide circuit design and PCB development; 
• Perform bench testing using oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analysers; 
• Maintain software repositories and manage version control using Git; 
• Support technical training and assist participants or interns on embedded-related projects; 
• Prepare documentation and technical reports on all embedded system-related activities. 

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor degree in electronic engineering with at least three years' experience in firmware development;
• Experience working with microcontrollers, sensors, and communication protocols is required; 
• Web or Mobile Software development will be added advantage;
• Strong programming skills in C/C++, Python, or similar languages; 
• Solid understanding of electronics principles, power systems, and circuit protection; 
• Familiarity with PCB layout and schematic design; 
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; 
• Strong attention to detail and document preparation. 

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Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to applied research in energy systems planning, electricity modelling and energy transition pathways under the guidance of senior researchers;
• Support the development, testing, documentation and application of energy system models, power system tools, optimisation methods and scenario frameworks;
• Collect, clean, validate and analyse energy, demand, generation, grid, technology cost and socio-economic datasets;
• Conduct techno-economic assessments of energy technologies, infrastructure options, policy scenarios and investment pathways;
• Participate in modelling exercises, scenario development, literature reviews and interpretation of research findings;
• Prepare draft reports, technical notes, presentations, policy briefs and academic publications for review;
• Engage with government, industry, utilities, research partners and development institutions as part of applied research projects;
• Develop specialist capability in energy and power system modelling through mentorship, applied project work, training and independent learning.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Doctoral degree in Energy Studies, Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science, Economics or a related quantitative discipline relevant to energy systems, power systems, planning or modelling;
• Sound academic knowledge of energy systems, power systems, renewable energy, electricity infrastructure, modelling, optimisation, simulation, data analysis or related quantitative methods;
• Familiarity with programming, modelling or data analysis tools such as Python, R, MATLAB, PyPSA, PowerFactory, HOMER, GIS tools or similar platforms will be an advantage;
• Strong quantitative, analytical, problem-solving and data management abilities, with potential to develop advanced modelling capability through mentorship and applied project work;
• Interest in South Africa¿s energy sector, renewable energy integration, grid planning, electricity markets, tariffs, energy policy or energy transition issues will be an advantage;
• Good writing, communication and presentation skills, with willingness to learn, publish, collaborate and engage with stakeholders;
• No prior professional experience in energy or power system modelling is required; however, the candidate should demonstrate the academic foundation, curiosity and analytical potential to grow into a specialist in this field.

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Key responsibilities:

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

Interpretation of requirements and specifications

• Interpret user requirements and/or system level requirements.
• Generate detailed item development specifications.
• Develop test plans.

Digital and analogue design

• Participate in digital and analogue design.
• Develop code for microprocessor units (MCUs).
• Implement firmware designs on pure digital and mixed digital/analogue devices.
• Perform simulations to verify design functions both for electronic hardware and firmware designs.
• Capture schematic designs.
• Design printed circuit board (PCB) layouts.
• Develop code for programmable logic devices (field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs)) using very high-speed integrated circuit hardware description language (VHDL).

Debugging and verification

• Debug designs.
• Perform sub-system and system integration.
• Develop test procedures.
• Perform functional verification testing, qualification testing and acceptance testing.
• Complete test reports.

Generation of data pack, design documentation and build history

• Generate design documentation and data packs.
• Generate production data packs and build history files.

Project management

• Plan project execution (budget forecasting, task determination, resource allocation, execution timelines).
• Manage and monitor internal resources.
• Monitor and report risks, timelines and budget.
• Liaise with suppliers, clients and third parties.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Engineering in electronic engineering with at least three years' experience in firmware, digital hardware and mixed signal design;
• A Master's degree will be advantageous;

Must have experience in the following:

• Design and set to work of digital and mixed signal PC Boards;
• Debugging of hardware;
• PCB design;
• Embedded firmware development;.

The following experience will be advantageous:

• FPGA and/or CPLD development using either Vivado or Quartus environments.
• VHDL development of complex circuits;
• STM platform;
• Altium.
• Proficient in the C programming language;
• Ability to understand or develop high speed digital/analogue hardware will be considered an advantage;
• Proven capability of document preparation;
• Must be comfortable working in Linux environments and navigating command-line interfaces.