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

About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Master’s Studentship: Cybersecurity in the Information and Cybersecurity Centre, within the Defence and Security Cluster.
• The incumbent will be responsible for undertaking original research and development in cybersecurity with the Data Security and Analytics, Governance, Privacy and Trust, Cybersecurity and/or Secure Identity Systems domains. This position is based in Pretoria.

Research areas:

• Data security and analytics
• Secure digital identity systems
• Cybersecurity systems
• Governance, privacy, and trust
• AI for Security and Security for AI
• Development of home-grown cybersecurity solutions
• National cybersecurity capability development
• Next-generation security operations centre
• Emerging cybersecurity topics such as zero-trust
• And other related topics

Key responsibilities:

• Prepare a research proposal to be approved by both the CSIR and the university;
• Prepare a written literature overview of the current state-of-the-art relevant to the research topic;
• Perform original research to solve the open research problem(s) that the student identified in his/her proposal;
• Produce sufficient quantity and quality of peer-reviewed publications based on the Masters research topic;
• Compile the Masters dissertation and defending the work successfully; and
• Contribute to extra project activities that may be outside the scope of the master research as per the needs of the research group. The amount of such work shall be limited to 20% of the total time.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours degree in computer engineering, computer science, information technology, information systems or a related/relevant field;
• Register for a Master’s qualification within the South African university (to be agreed upon with the CSIR co-supervisor);
• Must have a good background in computer systems, information security, cybersecurity and/or secure identity systems.
• Working knowledge of related programming languages such as Python, R, Java, C# and the Linux operating system (and others applicable).
• Ability to work with different types of data sets and good grasp of analytical tools.
• Knowledge and exposure in software development for experimentation and prototyping.
• Good understanding of the scientific method: design of experiments, running experiments, critical analysis of results, and dissemination of knowledge.
• Good communication skills (verbal and written) and ability to interact efficiently with diverse teams of people

Closing Date

• 22/09/2025

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Data Stewardship Manager in the Data Intensive Research Initiative South Africa (DIRISA) group within the National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System (NICIS) that forms part of the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions (NGEI) cluster. 
• The incumbent will be expected to work at strategic, tactical, and operational levels of management to deliver on DIRISA’s mandate and strategy and apply project management expertise together with appropriate technical/domain/sector/industry specific technical acumen to achieve project goals by managing the total project management life cycle within project constraints according to applicable project management framework(s). 
• This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Manager: DIRISA.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the conceptualization and implementation of data stewardship standards, policies and guidelines within an ICT infrastructure development team of DIRISA and within NICIS;
• Advocate, coordinate and support across user communities, the formulation and adoption of data stewardship policies and recommended practices focused on disciplines and across the research data management life cycle;
• Facilitate the development of standards for data stewardship that are internationally benchmarked and harmonized with principles of Open Data and Open Science;
• Ensure that data stewardship policies regulate the accessibility, utilisation, and dissemination of DIRISA’s products and services across the data management lifecycle (acquisition, preservation, maintenance, and archiving of digital assets);
• Drive the dissemination and public disposition of DIRISA in terms of approved data stewardship policies across the DIRISA user base;
• Promulgate policies and standards and promote acceptance by the community of data providers and users and a wider audience (such as national, provincial, and municipal governments);
• Promote the adoption of recommended practices by data custodians and data generators in research data management (RDM) throughout its life cycle;
• Ensure that appropriate data provider agreements are entered into with data custodians;
• Analyse, document and coordinate the implementation of systems and processes to meet standards and conform to policies for RDM;
• Manage a subgroup of DIRISA and drive the implementation and automation of RDM policies with DIRISA software engineers, developers, system administrators, and data standards developers;
• Coordinate and drive the development and coherence of domain-specific RDM policies such as Ethics, Security, and Privacy.
• Ensure strategic alignment of DIRISA’s RDM standards and policies with national directives and priorities;
• Maintain relationships and interact with key stakeholders and users to ensure that their opinion is considered in the formulation of RDM standards and policies;
• Prepare and present periodic progress reports to ensure feedback and communication with stakeholders;
• Regularly review contemporary and emerging trends in RDM standards and policies, and ensure that their implications are accommodated in, and improve DIRISA’s service delivery;
• Serve as an expert on data management principles for the research community in general; provide stakeholders and data providers with guidance and information on recommended practices for RDM;
• Participate as part of the DIRISA team in the review and development of ICT standards and procedures, and best practices to ensure compliant service delivery;
• Interact and liaise closely with other NICIS service areas in the development and deployment of RDM standards and policies;
• Mentor and advance knowledge of staff, provide guidance and leadership in DIRISA related to standards and policy implementation;
• Conduct awareness sessions, workshops, and training for researchers, students, and staff on governance, data management planning, datathons / hackathons, and best stewardship practices;
• Participate in and contribute to related activities in the DIRISA portfolio;
• Apply data science methods (e.g., machine learning, statistical modelling, visualization) to derive insights from research datasets;
• Collaborate with researchers to design reproducible data pipelines and analytical workflows;
• Support innovation by identifying opportunities to leverage AI, big data, and advanced analytics for national research priorities.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours degree in computer science, information science, information systems or related fields with at least ten years’ experience in data science, information systems or related of which three years should be in data management in a related field and five years in stakeholder interaction, evidenced by chairing data related structures;
• A Master’s degree will be advantageous;
• Knowledge of data management, and a desire to advance expertise in emergent trends such as Open Data and Open Science;
• A track record of data governance responsibility or contribution to at least one data/information management project;
• Knowledge at graduate level, of data, information and knowledge management, value chain management and operationalization strategy;
• An understanding of standards, the standards development lifecycle, intellectual property, copyright in the South African context, and of relevant existing policies and legislation, e.g. POPI, Spatial Data Infrastructure Act; National Policy on Data and Cloud
• Knowledge of, and skills to manage continuous improvement and change management;
• Willingness to learn additional skills and to mentor and collaborate within a team of data and ICT personnel;
• Understanding of finances and budgets;
• People management and leadership skills;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• High-level planning and organisational skills.

Closing Date

• 22/09/2025

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Project Manager in the Data Intensive Research Initiative South Africa (DIRISA) group within the National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System (NICIS) that forms part of the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions (NGEI) cluster. 
• The incumbent will be expected to work at strategic, tactical and operational levels of management to deliver on DIRISA’s mandate and strategy and apply project management expertise together with appropriate technical/domain/sector/industry specific technical acumen to achieve project goals by managing the total project management life cycle within project constraints according to applicable project management framework(s). 
• This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Manager: DIRISA.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage projects (e.g., continuously update project plans, project requirements using a team-based approach, and the business case to ensure that the project outputs remain desirable, viable, and achievable);
• Contribute to the conceptualisation of new projects (both technology and non-technology related);
• Organise project governance and team structures, defining roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities;
• Deliver successfully on projects - on brief, on budget, on time, every time;
• Manage team and stakeholders (facilitate and negotiate), including communication (e.g., regular internal and external team meetings and progress reporting);
• Manage and understand project finances, consolidation, and administration;
• Support the DIRISA team in formulating and writing proposals;
• Play a leading role in the management and coordination of DIRISA events and related activities
• Support the NICIS Management team and NICS’ operations to improve internal NICIS processes, tools, and systems;
• Provide advice to project participants; serve as a liaison; perform research, analyse information, provide documentation, and prepare reports;
• Work across geographical boundaries with multiple stakeholders

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours degree or NQF 8 qualification in computer/electronic engineering, computer science, business management, project/programme management or related fields with at least eight years’ project management experience in the Information Technology industry, which must include the following:
• A proven track record of managing complex medium-scale, multi-partner. e-projects or cyber infrastructure projects;
• A deep understanding of formal project management implementation methodologies (e.g., waterfall, agile, etc.);
• Extensive knowledge of government policies and processes (e.g., tendering and procurement);
• A Master’s degree in electronic/computer engineering or computer science or management or a related field will be advantageous;
• A formal qualification or certification in Project Management (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP or a diploma) is mandatory;
• Experience in public sector tendering processes;
• Experience in working with project teams across organisational boundaries, under tight and dynamic deadlines;
• Experience in working with senior executives in the private, public and academic sectors;

The following would be advantageous:

• Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certification;
• Project management experience within an academic or research network environment.
• Service and Contract management experience
• Quality Management experience.

Skills and knowledge in the following areas:

• Strategic leadership in Information Technology organisations or related;
• Risk Management
• Business Process Management
• Stakeholder management and communication
• Knowledge of cyber  infrastructure solutions;
• Exposure to research, development and innovation environments;
• Ability to work in a rapidly changing environment with many uncertainties, being able to learn and adjust accordingly;
• Sound financial management and business development skills;
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills;
• Knowledge of computers as well as database, spreadsheet and word processing software;
• Excellent problem solving, planning and organisational skills;
• Ability to take responsibility and operate as a self-starter;
• Ability to work with diverse environments and cultures;
• Great presentation skills are a requirement for this position;
• Remain abreast of developments in the ICT industry.  

Closing Date

• 23/09/2025

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Doctoral Studentship: Cybersecurity in the Information and Cybersecurity Centre, within the Defence and Security Cluster.
• The incumbent will be responsible for undertaking original research and development in cybersecurity with the Data Security and Analytics, Governance, Privacy and Trust, Cybersecurity and/or Secure Identity Systems domains. This position is based in Pretoria.

Research areas:

• Data security and analytics
• Data science in cybersecurity
• Secure digital identity systems
• AI security including agentic AI security and related
• Mobile security
• Development of home-grown cybersecurity solutions
• National cybersecurity capability development
• Governance, privacy, and trust
• Next-generation security operations centre
• Emerging cybersecurity topics such as zero-trust
• And other related topics

Key responsibilities:

• Prepare a research proposal to be approved by both the CSIR and the university;
• Prepare a written literature overview of the current state-of-the-art relevant to the research topic;
• Perform original research to solve the open research problem(s) that the student identified in his/her proposal;
• Produce sufficient quantity and quality of peer-reviewed publications based on the Doctoral research topic;
• Compile the Doctoral thesis and defending the work successfully; and
• Contribute to extra project activities that may be outside the scope of the doctoral research as per the needs of the research group. The amount of such work shall be limited to 20% of the total time.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, information technology, information systems or a related/relevant field;
• Register for a Doctoral qualification within the South African university (to be agreed upon with the CSIR co-supervisor);
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report/certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA);
• Must have a strong background in computer systems, information security, cybersecurity and/or secure identity systems.
• Knowledge of machine learning and/or artificial intelligence.
• Working knowledge of related programming languages such as Python, R, Java, C# and the Linux operating system (and others applicable).
• Must have confidence in working with big data and data analytics.
• Must have experience in software development for experimentation and computer simulation with a hands-on approach.
• Good understanding of the scientific method: design of experiments, running experiments, critical analysis of results, and dissemination of knowledge.
• Good communication skills (verbal and written) and ability to interact efficiently with diverse teams of people; and
• A good peer-reviewed publication record will be advantageous.

Closing Date

• 22/09/2025