Post Doctoral Researcher: Artificial Intelligence at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation’s work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Post-Doctoral Researcher: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

About The Job

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Post-Doctoral Researcher in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Group within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster . The incumbent will be responsible for conducting research and development in the Artificial Intelligence technologies. This position is based in Pretoria.

For more information about the cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/nextgen-enterprises-and-institutions .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead projects, research and investigations in AI or Machine Learning (ML) ;

• Provide leadership in formulating research, development and innovation (RD&I) strategies and road maps;

• Provide research direction to the Research Group on the long-term development of AI;

• Conduct advanced AI research and generate high quality papers and publish them in prestigious journals with good impact factor;

• Remain current on new AI techniques, methodologies and protocols, to understand latest technical details on new products and updates/revisions to existing products/services;

• Provide training on AI and related topics to all stakeholders (internal and external) when required;

• Formulate and contribute to research and development (R&D) funding proposals and develop relationships with collaborators in R&D around AI and related topics;

• Supervise/mentor junior colleagues, researchers, students and interns in the areas of expertise;

• Generate and contribute towards science, engineering and technology activity outputs e.g. reports, guidelines, system requirements;

• Initiate and supervise technical reports, expert studies and investigations, and presentations aimed at the relevant industries and research institutions and academia, locally and internationally.

• Lead projects, research and investigations in AI or Machine Learning (ML) ;

• Provide leadership in formulating research, development and innovation (RD&I) strategies and road maps;

• Provide research direction to the Research Group on the long-term development of AI;

• Conduct advanced AI research and generate high quality papers and publish them in prestigious journals with good impact factor;

• Remain current on new AI techniques, methodologies and protocols, to understand latest technical details on new products and updates/revisions to existing products/services;

• Provide training on AI and related topics to all stakeholders (internal and external) when required;

• Formulate and contribute to research and development (R&D) funding proposals and develop relationships with collaborators in R&D around AI and related topics;

• Supervise/mentor junior colleagues, researchers, students and interns in the areas of expertise;

• Generate and contribute towards science, engineering and technology activity outputs e.g. reports, guidelines, system requirements;

• Initiate and supervise technical reports, expert studies and investigations, and presentations aimed at the relevant industries and research institutions and academia, locally and internationally.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Doctoral degree in electronic/computer engineering, computer science or a related field;

• Demonstrated experience in conducting quality research in AI/ML (deep, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, optimization, and theory);

• Experience in AI technologies and its applications, including related programming languages and software tools;

• Experience in conducting and supervising studies related to AI technologies or related fields;

• Experience in project management and funds acquisition would be advantageous;

• Experience in presenting and communicating research approaches, concepts and outcomes at conferences or industry forums;

• Strong applied mathematical skills in one or more of the following disciplines:

  • Discrete mathematics;

  • Mathematical modelling;

  • Optimization theory;

  • Probability;

  • Statistics; or

  • Theoretical computer science;

• Good record of accomplishment and recognition for quality research outputs and advanced concept implementation;

• Familiar with several aspects of the software development lifecycle, including architecture, design, implementation, and testing;

• Knowledge of modern development, integration, testing and deployment environments would be advantageous;

• Ability to create clear and accurate technical and analytical reports;

• Ability to analyse data obtained from different sources;

• Ability to work as part of a team, as a key member, influencing decisions and reacting positively to challenges;

• Strong organization and analytical skills;

• Demonstrated skills in: analytical thinking, flexibility and adaptability, investigative orientation, planning and organising, problem solving, verbal and written communication, teamwork, self-management (planning, prioritising and time management – includes the ability to work independently), systems level thinking, multi-disciplinary knowledge.

Closing date: 24 September 2021