Latest Jobs at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Data Services and Applications Manager in the Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa (DIRISA), within the National Integrated Cyber Infrastructure System (NICIS) at CSIR. The incumbent will be responsible to drive and manage the development, deployment, and maintenance of a petascale ICT platform as a national data intensive research infrastructure that provides data services and cyber environments for research data management and collaborative data-based research. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage the development of a robust national ICT data infrastructure and a portfolio of services supporting data intensive research and research data management;
• Define, design and develop the entire range of operational data services across the data lifecycle supporting the research, education and innovation communities;
• Advocate the adoption and increase the visibility of DIRISA’s data services across research communities within South Africa;
• Establish close working relationships with the data sciences community;
• Build collaborative Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) that utilize DIRISA in developing data-based solutions that will stimulate socio-economic growth;
• Promote the adoption of sound practices and principles in support of Open Data and Open Science;
• Contribute to the DIRISA and NICIS strategies and planning in alignment with, and support of the achievement of relevant national strategies;
• Support the research and higher education communities (including Research Infrastructures, libraries, etc.) in data intensive initiatives;
• Support and facilitate the preservation and curation of valuable research data;
• Drive operational excellence for long-term sustainability;
• Engage stakeholders at local and international levels in various disciplines in coordinating the development of data intensive research applications;
• Engage users and manage user relationships and expectations;
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in NICIS areas, South African National Research Network (SANReN) and Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC), in the provision of ICT services;
• Drive the development of data science services that support the use of leading-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and the Internet of Things.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master’s degree in computer science, information and communication technology or related fields with at least five years’ experience in the data sciences or research and data management;
• A Doctoral degree will be advantageous;
• A management qualification will be advantageous;
• Experience in the development of services supporting data intensive research and data management;
• Experience in stakeholder management (external and internal);
• Experience in implementing strategy at group and institutional levels;
• Significant post-qualification experience in research and research management.
• Proven experience in the application of emergent ICT technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, as these relate to the data sciences;
• Broad knowledge of data intensive research, related R&D and innovation;
• Specific scientific knowledge of the fields of research within the data sciences to ensure appropriate strategies relevant to data intensive research;
• Ability to deal competently with data related issues within a national environment, with typically no precedents to rely upon;
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills necessary to influence appropriate outcomes and behavior at personal and institutional levels, through to multi-stakeholder fora;
• Good networking skills to deal with stakeholders within local and international organizations ranging from academia to industry; and
• Ability to mentor people ranging from junior to senior software developers

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Financial Administrative Officer in the Manufacturing Cluster, within the Advanced Production and Security Division. The successful incumbent will be responsible to ensure all financial administration of the Division is performed in accordance to the CSIR policies and procedures and according to sound financial principles. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Review and ensure completeness of relevant financial supporting documentation before capturing detail of contracts and projects;
• Update revenue recognition and process contract invoices or credit notes in alignment with the signed contract agreement and CSIR policies, procedures and relevant financial legislation;
• Monitor contract status and details on the system and provide feedback to the Financial Manager for updating to correctly report on revenue and sales secured for the financial year;
• Process contract amendments of integrated contracts to ensure that the contract value and contract line detail for revenue and billing agrees to the signed contract agreement;
• Ensure record keeping of all contract and projects supporting documentation as per South African Revenue Services (SARS) and CSIR policies, ensuring easy reference for audit purposes or queries;
• Assist the Management Accountant with the follow up of outstanding timesheets and the preparation of reports required on the financial status of contracts and projects;
• Reconcile advances, claims and cash with the petty cash float to ensure discrepancies are detected for immediate action;
• Reconcile advances, claims and cash with petty cash float to ensure discrepancies are detected for timeous action;
• Follow up on the status of open orders and advise the Procurement Unit on orders to be closed to ensure accurate and up to date information for financial reporting and year-end accruals;
• Prepare journals to accurately reflect financial information, cost distribution and bad debt provision for accurate financial month-end results;
• Review debtors age analysis, follow up on outstanding invoices and request payment from customers, update customer record with conversation detail on promise of payment or actions required to clear the record and report to the management accountant;
• Process ad-hoc invoices for services rendered or goods supplied in accordance with the customer order/accepted quotations in order to account for revenue earned to date in compliance with CSIR policies, procedures and relevant financial legislation;
• Provide training and support to operational teams on the process requirements, financial impact of transactions and applications of financial systems;
• Assist and provide the Management Accountant with project-specific audit information and identify opportunities to improve business processes.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A BComm degree in accounting or finance or management accounting with at least 3 years working experience including a sound understanding of financial accounting, financial reconciliation and reporting;
• Studying towards a CIMA qualification and a Project Management certification would be an advantage;
• Working knowledge and understanding of an ERP system;
• Sound knowledge and understanding of how contract and project related transactions impact on organisational financial results;
• Good understanding and the ability to implement accounting principles;
• Good working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite;
• Numerical and analytical ability and ability to work accurately and pay attention to detail;
• Effective organisational skills;
• Knowledge of statutory requirements, legislation, policies and procedures typically relevant in area of responsibility;
• Outstanding record-keeping skills Effective interpersonal skills;
• Good verbal, written, presentation and listening communication skills;
• Ability to work/function well within teams Sensitive to diverse cultures;
• Sound work ethics;
• Time management skills and ability to manage stress.

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Divisional Financial Manager, who will drive the financial strategy of the division. The incumbent will fulfil the role of strategic financial advisor to the division and be overall accountable for financial management, including monitoring and evaluation of all financial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The incumbent will be required to manage and develop the finance team. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Drive the financial strategic input into the division’s strategy and operational plan;
• Provide expert strategic financial advice and input into divisional investment and commercialisation strategies;
• Drive the budgeting and forecasting processes in consultation with leadership;
• Consolidate and present divisional financial reporting;
• Data analytics and measurements for strategic informed financial decision making, financial direction and risk mitigation;
• Provide strategic leadership in the implementation of financial policies, processes and control measures, including monitoring and reporting compliance according to relevant financial legislation and regulations;
• Oversee contracting and contract management to ensure accurate and complete financial management;
• Strategic engagement with industry partners to provide financial input on program structuring, and feedback against programme budget, deliverables and objectives;
• Lead the finance service delivery to the division, including contracting, working capital optimisation, financial management and resolution of all financial queries;
• Accountable for division audits ensuring compliance to stated financial objectives and audit requirements;
• Lead and manage the divisional finance team and function.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Chartered Accountant (SA), CIMA or similar qualification with at least ten years’ experience in finance, of which five years should be in management in a medium to large business;
• Exposure to private and public sector;
• Experience in contract evaluation and management;
• Ability to analyse and interpret financial data;
• Internal and external stakeholder engagement, such as auditors, suppliers and industry funders;
• Sound understanding of legislation applicable to state owned entities;
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) finance system application exposure;
• People management, leadership and negotiation skills.

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Candidate Researcher in the Bioprocessing Technologies research group within the Chemicals Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to investigate, conduct research, plan, and execute experiments in a specialised field of Bioprocessing and Bio-manufacturing in line with the organisational strategic plan. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Conceptualise and contribute to Research and Development (R&D) projects at the appropriate level;
• Assist with developing and applying methodologies in the specified fields, producing technical briefs or reports, technology packages, operating or manufacturing protocols, and research papers;
• Plan and conduct experiments in the field of Bioprocessing or other related field, as dictated by the Organisational Cluster’s strategy;
• Conduct laboratory scale, pilot scale and field testing of biological product prototypes or other developed technologies e.g. setup and implementation, collecting samples, analyses of samples’
• Report findings and conclude research in technical reports, standard operating procedures and technology packages;
• Provide support to other junior staff e.g., training and mentoring interns, in-service trainees;
• Publish research findings in recognised scientific journals;
• Assist with preparing proposals, network and lobby with appropriate persons/institutions in order to generate appropriate funds to pursue the strategic research objectives of the CSIR;     
• Engage with research programs, institutions, and researchers to identify and grow opportunities to expand research endeavours and strengthen science. 

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biotechnology, biochemistry, or related field with at least one year experience in bioprocessing or bio-manufacturing (project, technical and operational contributions);
• An Honours degree will be advantageous;
• Experience in bench and pilot scale fermentation processes;
• Evidence of conceptualisation of experiments, execution, analyses of data and outcomes, specific to the field of Bioprocessing and/or Bio-manufacturing,
• Scientific publications in accredited journals/books will be advantageous;
• Track record of operational contribution (laboratory responsibilities, SHEQ etc.) within a team;
• Networking, establishing and maintain links with internal and external stakeholders and clients;  
• Adaptability to change, ability to multi-task and to consistently perform under pressure;
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with others in a research group
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and;
• Able to work shifts (including night shifts) as per the nature of work within the bio-manufacturing team;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for an Event Coordinator in the CSIR Conferencing and Accommodation (C&A) portfolio and will be placed at the CSIR International Convention Centre (ICC). The incumbent will be responsible for strategic planning and the management of sales, customer relations and quality functions of the CSIR ICC. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities and improve the sales of CSIR ICC;
• Optimize the booking of the CSIR ICC venues to ensure maximum client satisfaction balanced with maximum occupancy;
• Maintain the Reservations Office standards, systems and procedures and ensure that all event and billing information is correct to minimize risk and maximize sales;
• Plan and organize events and customer service; 
• Ensure all of the Reservations Office actions and responsibilities comply with legislation and CSIR policies and procedures (PPPFA, liquor laws, Safety Laws, Consumer Protection Act, OHSAS 45001, ISO14001, ISO 9001:2015);
• Ensure the information in the Centre’s management information system (Rendezvous) is correct and updated at all times; and
• Ensure all activities and interactions carried out by the Reservations Office support a positive and professional market image of the CSIR ICC.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A National diploma in either marketing, public relations, hospitality, communication or event management with at least two years’ experience in sales, convention centre, organising conference and/or hospitality industry;
• Possession of Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) will be an added advantage;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Computer literacy (MS Office and Rendezvous);
• Language proficiency (English spoken and written);
• Ability to pay attention to detail;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Problem solving skills;
• Customer focussed and service orientation skills.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Coastal Engineer in the Coastal Engineering and Ports Infrastructure Research Group within the Smart Mobility Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting contract research within the Coastal Engineering field, with a focus on physical modelling. This position is based in Stellenbosch.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct applied research and technological innovation in the following areas: Coastal engineering, physical modelling of coastal structures and ports, sediment dynamics, nearshore hydrodynamics and physical modelling of ship motions (moored as well as manoeuvring);
• Contribute to the ongoing development and implementation of strategies to grow the Coastal Engineering and Ports Infrastructure group;
• Establish, build, manage and maintain mutually beneficial and credible stakeholder relationships;
• Manage a small, diverse project team during model construction and testing;
• Publish and present research at peer reviewed conferences and journals;
• Formulate research proposals and identify tasks and activities to facilitate execution;
• Prepare reports, guidelines or other documents aimed at disseminating the results and outcomes of projects;
• Negotiate and secure contracts and research and development (R&D) funding;
• Remain up to date with and abreast of trends so that the research group remains innovative, competitive and dynamic;
• Ensure the quality and delivery of projects and publications in the group by means of technical reviews and quality assurance.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master’s degree in Port and Coastal Engineering with specialisation in coastal processes, coastal dynamics, coastal structures or ship motions, with at least two years’ experience in the coastal engineering and ports environment, and;
• Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering prior to the Master’s degree;

Must be;

• Able to function independently and as part of a team;
• Able to perform under pressure and manage or contribute to projects within allocated time and budget constraints;
• Self-motivated with excellent communication skills;
• A valid driver’s licence with own transport.