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

About the job: 

• The CSIR has an internship opportunity in Agricultural Water Management. The successful candidate will contribute to and support ongoing research initiatives within the organisation. 
• The CSIR Internship Program offers an exceptional opportunity for a motivated student or recent graduate seeking practical experience in ecohydrology and agricultural water management.
• The successful candidate will work closely with our research team gaining exposure to both cutting-edge field instrumentation and data modelling techniques used to improve sustainable water use in agriculture.
• This opportunity is ideal for individuals looking to build a strong foundation for a career in water resources, environmental science, or agronomy. This position is based in Pretoria/Stellenbosch. 

Key responsibilities:

• Assist with the installation, calibration, and maintenance of field equipment, including weather stations, soil moisture probes, and potentially more advanced systems like sap flow sensors or eddy covariance systems, under expert supervision.
• Participate in field data collection activities, which may include, but not limited to, taking plant physiological measurements (e.g., using a pressure chamber or porometer) 
• Support the research team with data analysis using statistical software and assist in running ecohydrological or crop growth models to estimate crop water requirements and yield.
• Contribute to the development and testing of simple decision support systems or digital tools designed to help farmers with irrigation scheduling.
• Conduct literature reviews on relevant topics and assist in preparing technical reports, scientific papers, and project documentation.
• Support leading researchers and scientists in the field as part of mentorship.
• Practical and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art environmental monitoring technology.
• Exposure to real-world projects which seeks to address global challenges in food security and water sustainability.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours or Master of Science degree in the fields of Agricultural Science, Agricultural Meteorology, Environmental Science, Hydrology, or a closely related field.
• Registration with SACNASP as a candidate natural scientist, or eligibility for immediate registration as a candidate natural scientist.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills with willingness to learn.
• Skills to write technical reports, and research papers for dissemination of project outputs 
• Familiarity with both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Good skills in statistical data analysis software and willingness to learn.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a research environment.
• Perform any other duties within the scope of the project, as required. 
• Willingness to travel to project sites for meetings, fieldwork, and data collection.
• A valid driver's license may be beneficial for fieldwork.

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Project Manager in the Optronic Sensor Systems Impact Area, within the Defence and Security cluster.
• The incumbent will be expected to work at tactical and operational levels of management to deliver on the impact areas 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 is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

• Initiate and manage projects by contributing to project proposals mainly from a financial perspective in terms of budget development and resource planning, ensure compliance to government requirements such as PFMA, ensure all project initiation documentation is in place and of appropriate quality;
• Plan projects through coordination of resources required for project execution, assist with the development of project plans, also resource planning and implementation;
• Execute, control and review project progress and expenditure;
• Provide monthly financial reporting to project leaders and HR reports as necessary;
• Assist with management and risk mitigation on projects, facilitate financial reports, liaising with stakeholders as necessary, balance constraints across and between projects;
• Manage team and stakeholders (facilitate and negotiate), including communication (e.g. regular internal and external team meetings and progress reporting);
• Close out projects in accordance with organisational processes and responsible for administrative closure of a project in terms of a project review, lessons learnt, financial closure of the project, project records and documents;
• Play a major role in financial month and year end in preparing projects for funds declarations;
• Assist on projects with any other issues they may face relating to health and safety issues, assets, procurement and marketing / engagement;
• Work across geographical boundaries with multiple stakeholders.
• Lead the development of technical project proposal, and Project Definitions;
• Lead the development of Request for Proposal (RFP) and Expression of Interest (EoI) for SMME sub-contracting and selection process;
• Plan and manage the project tasks and deliverables to align with the OSS set Key Performance Indicators (KPI).

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelors degree in computer/electronic/mechatronics/mechanical engineering, physics or mathematics with at least five years experience as a Project Manager, of which three years should be within the Defence and Security environment and/or Research Development Innovation (RDI) domain;
• A post-graduate qualification or certification in project/technology/engineering management (e.g. PRINCE2/PMP) will be advantageous;

Must have:

• Experience in mechanics or mechatronics or electronics or software development or modelling and simulation or Space Satellites/Aircraft/UAV payload engineering design;
• Experience in all key component of Project Management such as resource planning, budgeting, reporting, and project artefacts;
• Experience in working with project teams across organisational boundaries, under tight and dynamic deadlines;
• Experience in Systems Engineering Management;
• Experience in people management skills, soft and performance management;
• Experience in leading teams with agile delivery;
• A valid drivers license and existing or eligible for Department of Defence (DOD) security clearance;
• Track record in managing complex research and development project (s);
• Track record in contract management and financial management;
• Knowledge of the electro-optical sensing systems development lifecycle;
• Strong knowledge of Agile and Lean methodologies;
• Adaptability to change, ability to multi-task and to consistently perform under pressure;
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with others across research groups;
• Support business development and securing new contracts;
• Support and manage the Industrialisation and Commercialisation projects;