Senior Researcher: Social Scientist at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About The Job

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher in the Water Research Centre, within the Smart Places cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting research and development in the field of Social Science.This position is based in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote a culture of social and anthropological research excellence (quality and delivery) through research;
• Formulate projects for monitoring the impact of Science and Innovation on the Human Dimensions of natural resource management (e.g. water, climate change);
• Participate in national and global project forums as a work-package or task leader;
• Interact with stakeholders (clients, peers, etc) within fields of expertise to develop long term relationships both within and outside the CSI;.
• Secure funding from national and international sources
• Manage projects through robust, & integrated planning;
• Write research proposals; research reports, client reports and peer-reviewed publications;
• Contribute towards team and institutional key performance;
• Contribute towards conceptualization, structuring, management and implementation of multi-disciplinary research projects;
• Contribute to policy research in support of South Africa’s national priorities;
• Liaise with both internal and external clients and other relevant stakeholders.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Masters degree in social science or anthropology or an equivalent qualification in a related field with at least six years’ experience in natural resources governance and policy research at a national and international level;
• Must have experience in human settlement and migration dynamics research;
• Must have experience of working on the Internationally Funded Projects, e.g. European Commission Funded Projects, as part of the Research consortium;
• Must have peer-reviewed publications;
• Applied knowledge and thorough understanding of the implications of social and anthropological dynamics with relation to the socioeconomic development of a state;
• Applied knowledge and understanding of the UNFCCC activities and related forums;
• Applied knowledge and thorough understanding of situational analysis of a country’s Social Aspects in relation to Global developments;
• Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills, including the publication of technical outputs;
• Good Project Management skills;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Computer skills (MS software);
• Problem-solving, solution-seeking orientation;
• Ability to network and proactively establish and maintain links with internal and external stakeholders and clients as well as the research community;
• General knowledge of Water and Climate change and adaptation will be advantageous;
• Must have a valid driver’s licence.

Closing date: 03 May 2023