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

About the job: 

• The CSIR has an internship opportunity in the Biorefinery Industry Development Facility, within the Chemicals Cluster.
• The purpose of this internship is to provide graduates with an opportunity to gain practical work experience through research and development of competitive technologies and innovative products under the guidance of researchers and engineers within cross-functional teams.
• This position is based in Durban.

Key responsibilities:

Under supervision, the Intern will be required to:

• Analyse and interpret experimental results;
• Willingness to learn about bio-refinery for industrial applications;
• Compile technical reports and other project-related documents;
• Contribute to the planning and execution of experiments;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of standard operating procedures;
• Contribute and assist with laboratory inventory management;
• Take responsibility and custodianship of the laboratory;
• Prepare chemical reagents;
• Conduct routine general chemistry experiments.

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

• A BTech in Chemistry or analytical chemistry.
• Must have a `hands-on approach with respect to equipment operation and working in the laboratory;
• Must be Computer literate with the MS Office Package;       
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written);
• The following skills are required: 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; 
• Analytical, methodical, innovative skills; 
• Results-driven, self-motivated, and a team player; 
• Pro-active and focused;
• Willingness to learn and work under pressure;
• Ability to prioritise and have a good sense of urgency and accuracy.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report/certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

go to method of application »

About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Graduate in Training in the Aerospace Systems Impact Area within the Defence and Security cluster.  
• The purpose of this GIT program is to provide graduates with an opportunity to gain practical work experience under the guidance of experienced researchers and engineers within cross-functional teams. 
• This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

Wind Tunnel Plant Electrical System Management and Maintenance:

• Assist in electromechanical upgrades, installations, and system enhancements to improve performance in wind tunnel facilities;
• Assist in Wind Tunnel Plant Energy Management under Supervision;
• Diagnose and troubleshoot electromechanical faults, including motors, control systems, and wiring;
• Assist with programming of Siemens and Allen Bradley PLCs;
• Design and install PFC (power factor correction);
• Assist in the installation, testing, and commissioning of instrumentation/sensor-based electrical systems and data acquisition systems.

Project Management and Upgrades:

• Support electrical, mechanical and electromechanical system projects for wind tunnel plant infrastructure, ensuring timelines and safety standards are met;
• Assist in upgrades, installations, and system enhancements to improve performance.

Automation and Control Systems:

• Assist with Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs);
• Assist in the design and integration of industrial automation and control systems;
• Design and program PCBs.

Team Support and Development:

• Collaborate with engineers and maintenance teams to improve operational efficiency;
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities and assist in generating technical reports.
• Provide technical support, design and implementation in all areas.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Engineering/Science degree in mechatronic engineering;
• Experience with CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks) for drafting electrical and mechanical schematics;
• Strong knowledge of electrical systems, PLC programming, and industrial automation;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) for reporting and data analysis;
• Good academic performance;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Problem-solving and solution-seeking orientation;
• Excellent English communication, presentation and writing skills;
• Competencies: Analytical thinking; conceptual thinking, customer service orientation, initiative, networking and liaison; numerical reasoning; planning and organising; process engineering -and system competence and teamwork;
• Must be a South African citizen and eligible for security clearance.

go to method of application »

About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Leasing Specialist in the Facilities Management and Security Services portfolio. The incumbent will manage CSIR property leased to third parties to enhance strategic partnerships and generate revenue from surplus property assets.
• The incumbent will also manage activities necessary to plan and control the effective and efficient use of the CSIR properties including tenant relationship management. This position is based in Pretoria. 

Key responsibilities:

Strategic Management 

• Formulate, implement and manage the CSIR's leasing plan and standards;
• Formulate the tenant mix for CSIR's property portfolio;
• Provide input into the CSIR's Property Portfolio and Infrastructure Management;
• Develop operational plan to ensure that all CSIR facilities and buildings support organizational strategies and provide safe environment to its inhabitants.
• Manage key strategic relationship between The CSIR and various Tenants 

Financial Management

• Perform strategic financial analysis to understand capital and operating expenses for the property portfolio;
• Draft annual rental budgets and forecasting;
• Plan, manage and control operating expenditures for the tenant portfolio;
• Ensure correct and efficient preparation of information for the billing of internal and external tenants; 
• Collect rent and deposits and manage rental arrears: 
• Manage all property and lease related payments; 
• Create and maintain recurring rent schedules and security deposit information;
• Prepare variance reports and reconciliations as needed.

Leasing Administration and Management

• Oversee the leasing of CSIR properties to maximize cash flow on the rental properties and minimize vacancy loss; 
• Advertise and market rental property and prequalify prospective tenants;
• Provide tenant screening and lease document resources;
• Negotiate and prepare lease agreements and ensure timely lease renewals;
• Support Facilities Management by recommending and implementing capital improvement projects; 
• Conduct property and building inspections; schedule repairs and maintenance;
• Establish compliance with quality standards and specifications;
• Provide input to the Maintenance Plan for the CSIR properties;
• Liaise with all appropriate departments such as Projects, Maintenance and ICT to ensure that they provide adequate services required to maintain world class CSIR properties;
• Conduct market research and benchmarking exercises, analyze market information, market trends and operational costs and recommend annual rent increases to management;
• Manage comprehensive lease database including all historic transactions and agreements;
• Accountable for the integrity of the Real Estate Portfolio Management Module on the Computer Aided Facilities Management system;
• Provide monthly and quarterly reports; 
• Plan and allocate work for space planners.

Tenant Relationship Management

• Manage tenant relationships once the lease is signed to retain tenants;
• Serve as primary point of contact for operational issues with landlords, tenants and others;
• Serve as liaising officer between tenants and CSIR on all issues relating to lease agreements; 
• Resolve user lease and occupancy issues, investigate and reconcile complaints, and assure compliance with all lease terms;
• Build and maintain an excellent relationship with external tenants.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A National Diploma in Real Estate, or BSc in Property Studies or Property Management with at least eight years experience in leasing, real estate and/or property management;
• SAPOA certificate in Property Management will be an advantage; 
• Experience in Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) system;
• Working knowledge of CAFM systems particularly Real Estate/Property Management application will be an advantage;
• Advanced knowledge of real estate/property management, commercial leasing and applicable compliance regulations;
• Understand Corporate Real Estate and Facilities Management;
• Ability to design tenant strategies and tenant mix;
• The capacity to build relationships and to attract key strategic partners to lease space in the CSIR campus to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing;
• Ability to negotiate lease agreements and ensure there is no risk of exposure to the business;
• Practical and resource management, management of property and tenants;
• Strategic and thought leadership and ability to build strategic partnerships;
• Financial acumen and attention to detail;
• Influencing and negotiation skills;
• Conflict management and presentation skills; 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Customer service and quality orientation.