Top Roles at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Manager: Information Specialists in the Knowledge Management and Information Services Portfolio. 
• The successful incumbent will manage a team of information specialists and information scientists that facilitate access to credible information, data and knowledge management services in support of CSIR RD&I processes and to provide competencies that enable CSIR staff to execute the organisational mandate and strategy in their respective fields of endeavour. The position is based in Pretoria
• This position reports to Manager: Knowledge Management and Information Services.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage and lead a team of information professionals that provide guidance and advice to CSIR staff on all aspects relating to professional knowledge and information management practices. 
• Identify and leverage internal and external opportunities that create value and contribute to the achievement of CSIR strategic objectives.
• Champion the professional and personal development of team members.
• Leverage the capacity of the CSIR line staff through the provision of relevant information, data, and knowledge management services, taking advantage of the latest developments in information resources, services, and technologies, including AI technologies.
• Strengthen the identification, generation, analysis, and effective use of strategic information to inform organisational decision making. 
• Contribute to driving Knowledge Management activities in support of the CSIR Knowledge Management initiative
• Provide expert leadership and advisory services informed by deep expertise in  information, data and knowledge management; scholarly and academic lifecycles and publishing models, and competitive intelligence, to enable business development and support CSIR industry initiatives. 
• Understand the needs and requirements of different customer segments and provide fit-for-purpose services and solutions.
• Conduct benchmarking exercises on national and international level to investigate research support practices, including the evolving scholarly communication landscape in the field of information provision.
• Manage Service Level Agreements and relationships with clients, who include Division/Centre management and staff. 
• Regularly assess clients¿ information needs and gaps using market research tools including questionnaires, surveys, interviews, focus groups and observation. 
• Contribute to the strategic and operational management of KMIS, including the development and implementation of operational/business plans as well as the identification of new focus areas.
• Represent KMIS at national and international level, participate externally in professional fora, preferably in a leadership role and ensure a strong network with peers in other science councils and tertiary education institutions.
• To lead and direct service development projects on behalf of KMIS which include conceptualising the problem, identifying collaborators, designing the work plan and communicating outcomes and solutions.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Masters degree in Library and Information Science with at least eight to ten years information services experience in a scientific, technical or research environment of which five years should be at management level.
• In depth understanding of information and knowledge management principles, scholarly publishing as well as related ICT solutions
• Expertise in the use of online information resources and retrieval systems and the implementation of advanced search methodologies
• Ability to conceptualise and implement service solutions
• Proficiency in general management including conceptualisation, planning and organising, negotiation, performance monitoring and management 
• Benchmarking skills to ensure most appropriate practices for the CSIR
• Advanced presentation skills
• Ability to build and maintain strong collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders
• Oral and written communication skills 

Closing date: 07 May 2026

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About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Information Scientist: Scholarly Communications and Digital Services in the Knowledge Management and Information Services (KMIS). 
• The incumbent will provide a subject specific, leading-edge information service to CSIR staff involved in research, development and innovation through the utilisation of a wide variety of scientific tools and networks.
• These will include advising the CSIR staff on scholarly communication and research support across the research lifecycle and enable impact measurement .
• The incumbent is required to play an integral role in research project teams, have a scientific background and the ability to interact with researchers in their domains and enable line staff to make informed decisions about future and existing projects through the provision of relevant information. The position is based in Pretoria
• This position reports to Manager: Information Specialists

Key responsibilities:

• Provide a subject specific, leading-edge information service to CSIR staff involved in research, development and innovation through the utilisation of a wide variety of scientific tools and networks. 
• Advise CSIR staff on scholarly communication and research support across the research lifecycle and enable impact measurement.
• Play an integral role in research project teams, have a scientific background and the ability to interact with researchers in their domains and enable line staff to make informed decisions about future and existing projects through the provision of relevant information.
• 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 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.
• Provide an in-depth information service that includes current awareness and environmental scanning services for specific domains.
• Encourage the implementation of innovative scholarly communication practices for scientific publications, provide advice on scholarly communication strategies that enhance the dissemination, visibility, credibility and impact of CSIR research outputs in line with organisational and national RDI priorities.
• Identify tools useful to enable and support the measurement, evaluation, assessment and reporting of CSIR research impact by leveraging repository usage statistics, analytics, bibliometrics and alternative metrics to inform strategic decision making and demonstrate organisational value.
• Promote open science principles and effective research communication practices that increase accessibility, reuse and societal impact of CSIR research, while balancing openness with intellectual property, confidentiality and commercial considerations.
• 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.
• 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, scholarly communication and resources to internal clients.
• Ensure effective embeddedness by actively participating in relevant cluster or portfolio meetings, project meetings and research planning forums, providing contextualized advice.
• 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, AI enabled research tools and its ethical use in research and writing.
• 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 Library and Information Science and/ BSc Honours or equivalent with at least five to eight years experience in a scientific/research work environment, providing information services related to R&D initiatives.
• Scientific knowledge in Life Sciences, Material Sciences or Engineering domain or any specialised subject knowledge appropriate to the CSIR.
• Knowledge in Information Science.
• Knowledge of working with scientific and industrial information resources (Information searching, retrieval and delivery).
• Ability to conceptualise and implement service solutions.
• An understanding of Knowledge Management.
• Open science
• Good understanding of Research ethics
• Knowledge of AI and GenAI
• Bibliometrics, research assessment
• Presentation skills and end-user training experience plus an understanding of the learning styles of adult learners.
• Ability to build and manage relationships.
• Oral and written communication skills.

Closing date: 07 May 2026

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About the job: 

• The CSIR has an internship opportunities for Library and Information Science in the Records Management and Archival Services Stream. The purpose of the Internship is to provide graduates with an opportunity to gain practical work experience in the library and information services field within a research and development environment. This position is based in Pretoria.
• This position reports to CSIR Archives and Records Service Manager

Key responsibilities:

Under supervision the Intern will be required to perform the following duties:

• Index archival research and corporate records.
• Conduct shelving and categorising of the archival records.
• Conduct collection audits and disposal of archival materials.
• Fulfil general Records Management and Archival duties (managing records on electronic system, maintain the Archive cleanliness of the Archive, check climate and gas control systems, shelving, digitisation).
• Assist clients with archives requests under the guidance of the Archivist and Archival technician.
• Participate in the special projects to keep abreast of trends.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor's degree in Library/ Information science.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Customer service attitude.
• Knowledge and experience in Microsoft PowerPoint / Excel.
• Attention to detail.
• Team player.
• Goal-oriented and deadline-driven.
• Ability to be resourceful and proactive when issues arise.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

Whats in it for you? 

The CSIR offers:

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.                                                                              

Closing date: 11 May 2026