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

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for an Information Scientist in the Business Excellence and Integration Portfolio in the Knowledge Management and Information Services department. The incumbent will provide a subject specific, leading-edge information service to CSIR staff involved in research, development and innovation through utilisation of a wide variety of scientific and scholarly information resources, tools and networks. The incumbent will also play an integral role in research project teams by interacting with researchers in their domains and enable line staff to make informed decisions about future and existing projects through the provision of relevant information. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide relevant trusted information and data on science and industry to SET staff and to add value through the compilation of comprehensive scientific literature and systematic review reports after evaluation of the retrieved information.
• Conduct project relevant literature surveys, chemical structure/substructure searches, market research, competitive intelligence and advanced sector specific literature searches for CSIR staff.
• Carry out prior art searches, patent searches and contribute to the initial phase of the Freedom to Operate searches for all Divisions and Clusters in diverse scientific areas to ensure that inventions are novel, useful and not obvious to anybody skilled in the art.
• Encourage the implementation of innovative scholarly communication practices for scientific publications, identify tools useful at organisational level and contribute to research data management practices.
• Support and promote the CSIR policy regarding the dissemination of research outcomes, which includes advising researchers on Open Access publishing initiatives, read and publish agreements and the selection of suitable accredited publications in which to publish.
• Support research staff in managing their research profiles for more visibility in a changing scholarly landscape.
• Provide an in-depth information service that includes current awareness and environmental scanning services for specific scientific domains.
• Support and empower clients to confidently utilize CSIR information resources.
• Equip and empower users to make effective and efficient use of information resources at their disposal through the development and implementation of relevant end-user training courses.
• Market and promote information services and resources to internal clients
• Contribute towards successful implementation of Knowledge Management (KM) and Competitive / Business intelligence practices and strategies at Divisional and Cluster levels
• Introduce and implement new approaches and solutions that enable effectiveness and efficiency in the provision of KMIS services.
• Identify and were feasible apply emerging and innovative methods of enhancing access and delivery of scientific and academic information for researchers at the CSIR.
• Actively engage in continuous learning, attending relevant conferences, and workshops to stay informed about advancements in the respective scientific field
• Guide and mentor a team of Information Specialists and provide professional direction to KMIS staff and interns
• Participate externally, preferably in a leadership role, in professional area of expertise

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Postgraduate degree in a Life Sciences, Material Science or Engineering domain and/or postgraduate degree in Library and Information Science with at least five years’ experience in a scientific/research work environment, providing information services related to R&D initiatives.
• Research experience in a Life Sciences, Material Science or Engineering domain.
• Knowledge in the use of online information resources and retrieval systems and the use of advanced search methodologies.
• Ability to recognise and identify the patentability of intellectual property.
• Experience in client relationship building and stakeholder management
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Closing date: 09 April 2024

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for Candidate Rock Engineer in the Mining and Mineral Resource impact area within the cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to assist in executing the strategy to improve safety through application of existing rock engineering knowledge in surface and underground, shallow, and deep level mining operations towards re-imagining mining solutions through research, development, and innovation. They will further assist the rock engineering function to execute rock engineering projects on mines. The position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

Apply project management processes and applications to projects:

• Ensure that assigned project outputs are completed within agreed timeframes, of good quality and within budget.
• Undertakes specific project management and/or administrative tasks for assigned activities, e.g., managing project timesheets, purchase orders, invoicing, and other tasks.
• Acquire knowledge of CSIR systems, e.g., Peoplesoft, Workflow etc

Contribute to the development of the rock or geotechnical engineering technical discipline:

• Apply sound scientific knowledge in problem solving and synthesising solutions using geoscience domain knowledge, e.g., geology, rock engineering, mining processes, mine value chain, coding, engineering.
• Work in multidisciplinary teams to implement solutions and research.
• Execute software coding to assist with the development of solutions.
• Disseminate technical knowledge e.g., through publications, presenting at conferences.

Business Development:

• Contribute towards proposals for grant and private sector funding.
• Actively scan cutting edge technologies in and outside mining sector to solve critical, primarily mining issues.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Respond to internal client instructions and requests.
• Participate in appropriate technical industry bodies.

Human Capital

• Develop own skills through on-the-job training, participating in projects, reading broadly, and seeking training opportunities.
• Mentor and supervise interns.

Financial sustainability

• Project delivery to enable financial recovery.
• Implement cost containment measures to avoid an operating loss.
• Apply business practices that would result in a clean financial audit.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in Mining,Geology,Engineering geology or related fields.
• One year experience in:
  • On-site work on surface and underground environments.
  • Understanding surface and underground mining practices.
  • Research project execution.
  • Mining, rock engineering and geophysics related equipment, tools and instruments.
• Interest in coding, numerical models.
• Excellent English communication, presentation and writing skills, including the publication of technical outputs.
• Applied research skills.
• Good observational skills in mining environments.
• Good interpersonal and team skills
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team.
• Problem-solving and solution-seeking orientation
• Be able and fit to conduct site visits and project related trials at surface and underground mines.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Closing date: 09 April 2024

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Bituminous Binder Technician in the Transport Infrastructure Engineering Impact Area within the Smart Mobility cluster. The role will primarily involve road material testing. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Assist the Laboratory manger with daily running of the laboratory;
• Care, calibration and maintenance of equipment;
• Execute testing as required by the clients
• Implement and follow the requirements of SANS 17025;
• Liaise with clients, which are mostly researchers, concerning their work needs;
• Participate in the binder PT and ILC testing.
• Issue test quotations to customers and bill clients for work done,
• Carry out analysis and testing of samples as specified by the test methods, with any modifications approved by the Laboratory Manager or as requested by customers,
• Ensure that there is an adequate supply of consumables in the lab necessary for testing,
• Analysis of testing data and preparation of test reports,
• Supervise technicians, Interns, and assistant technicians,
• Maintain and uphold the integrity of the ISO 17025 management system of the lab and ensure subordinate in the laboratory are familiar with the management system and abide by it,
• Check test results calculations and transfer of results from the laboratory sheets to the test report,
• Take responsibility for the traceability of the samples,
• Ensure that the equipment used is calibrated and maintained according to the schedule and that there are adequate supplies of consumables in the lab for testing,
• Take responsibility for the performing and monitoring of tests and ensuring that the test methods and environmental conditions are adhered to.
• Become the Technical signatory of the binder section

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• Minimum, National diploma civil engineering / Chemical engineering or equivalent  with five years’ experience in bituminous binder  testing;
• A valid driver’s licence
• Knowledge of care, calibration and maintenance of equipment;
• Knowledge of the requirements of SANS 17025
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills;
• Must have the ability to work accurately, efficiently and independently as well as in a team;
• Must be computer literate with advanced use of Microsoft Excel and other programming platforms;
• Ability to innovate and generate new knowledge;
• Must have good communication, presentation and writing skills;
• Ability to effectively present ideas, concepts, plan and procedures. 

Closing date: 03 April 2024

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for Internship in the Mandela Mining Precinct. The Mandela Mining Precinct aims to appoint one intern in the social sciences area for the next eighteen months. The position is based in Johannesburg.

Key responsibilities:

• Literature reviews on the effects, challenges and impacts of technology on people for underground (local and international) mining environments/contexts, as aligned  to the programme;
• Undertake data gathering on identified mine sites and in local communities for deeper understanding around impacts on people in the sector;
• Engage with researchers and stakeholders involved in modernisation projects; 
• Conduct research work/tasks related to people and technologies, as assigned by project leads/programme manager;
• Report writing on processes and results;
• Present results/research work, when required;
• Perform general administrative tasks as required by project leads/programme managers;
• Maintain a development (HCD) Plan.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours Degree in Social Sciences,Health Sciences or any of the relevant fields
• A Masters’ Degree being advantageous;
• Research skills;
• Proficient in Microsoft suite of programmes;
• Good numerical, analytical and writing skills;
• Good communication skills;
• Administrative skills: Minute taking, filing etc.
• Good attention to detail; 
• Must have a valid Drivers’ Licence;
• Must have clear/no criminal record;
• Must be medically fit to go underground/ perform tasks at our Test Mine;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Closing date: 10 April 2024