Career Opportunities at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for Library Technician in the Knowledge Management and Information Services. The successful incumbent will be required to deliver Inter Library Loan (ILL) services and to fulfil Front Desk duties including circulation activities and assist walk-in clients. Under the guidance of the Manager: Library and Technical Services and eResources (LTS) and the Professional: Acquisitions and Cataloguing assist in the management of the physical collections. Provide administrate support to the Manager: LTS. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Process and monitor internal and external ILL requests on the Library Management System (LMS) and track statistics as needed.
• Communicate with internal and external clients regarding the status of their ILL requests.
• Provide training to clients on  the submission of ILL requests using the LMS.
• Monitor ILL related updates on the LMS and implement the necessary changes.
• Manage renewal, return and disengagement notices.
• Train clients on the use of library eResources and assist with their general information requests.
• Ensure that the required LTS LibGuides are created, updated and the existing ones are maintained.
• Maintain the CSIR’s physical library collection.
• Manage the paper collection to ensure that the correct filing order is maintained and that weeding is done according to CSIRIS guidelines.
• Provide administrative support to Manager: Library Technical Services & eResources.
• Provide procurement-related assistance.
• Liase with publishers/vendors to arrange training dates and thereafter schedule training appointments accordingly for staff to attend.
• Provide assistance as far as the routing of Publisher License Agreements to relevant signatories for approval.
• Mentor Knowledge Management and Information Services  interns.
• Mentor and train the interns to enable him/her to work independently.
• Procedures related to job function.
• Create and regularly update procedures related to job function.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A minimum qualification of a National Diploma in library and information science with at least one year work experience within a Library and Information Services environment.
• Ability to work independently and to successfully resolve problems utilizing technical or specialised expertise.
• Should know how to stay current in own field with respect to new approaches in tools, methods, and technologies.
• Proficiency in English.
• Knowledge of the national lLL system and its requirements.
• Knowledge of electronic library practices and work environments.
• Basic literature searching skills.
• Some work experience in ILL administration, preferebly in an academic or special library environment.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Cyber Security Governance Researcher in the Information and Cyber Security Centre within the Defence and Security Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to develop and implement effective governance programmes for various clients. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Implement information/cyber security risk management frameworks and legal and compliance practices;
• Develop security standards, processes, and guidelines based on best practices and industry standards;
• Develop information security incident management capabilities;
• Demonstrate, apply and/or implement an information/cyber security risk management program for Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems for diverse a clientele in different domains;
• Develop and implement cyber security awareness programmes towards fostering a culture of cyber security awareness;
• Conduct research and development across the information and cyber security domains;
• Lead and manage technical projects;
• Compile research findings, reports, and other documentation, for delivery to clients and for internal use;
• Engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver multiple projects and solve multiple information and cyber security challenges (e.g., network security assessments, identify vulnerabilities and risks, provide recommendations, etc.);
• Prepare, review, and publish reports, cybersecurity advisories and peer-reviewed articles in local and international forums;
• Coach and mentor young cybersecurity specialists.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours degree in information technology or computer science or computer engineering with at least four years’ experience in information and security domains with at least two of the four years’ experience must be in information security governance;
• A Master’s degree in information technology or computer science or computer engineering would be advantageous;

The following Cyber Security certifications and/or similar will be advantageous:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP),
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Knowledge of different cyber security frameworks such as National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and/or ISO27001;
• Understanding of research and development processes;
• Good verbal and written communication;
• Oriented to customer service orientation and attention to detail;

Must be able to:

• Work across diverse information and cyber security domains;
• Solve challenging and complex technical security problems;
• Innovate and create new solutions for current cyber security problems;
• Plan, prioritise & time management;
• Work independently in a team context;
• Take ownership of own career and development;
• Stay current in own field;
• Work well under pressure, decision-oriented and meet deadlines;
• Mentor and coach team members;
• Willingness to acquire new skills.

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The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher: Transport Engineering/Planning in the Passenger Transport Research Group, within the Smart Mobility Cluster. The incumbent will carry out high impact research and technological innovation in areas that include public transport service design; design and deployment of multi-modal transport networks; and the economics of transport systems. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead research projects;
• Lead the development of innovative technological interventions in transport systems and operations;
• Lead the development of toolkits, simulation/forecast models and technology packages for effective deployment in the transport sector;
• Establish, build, manage and maintain mutually beneficial and credible stakeholder relationships locally and internationally;
• Prepare reports, guidelines or other documents aimed at disseminating the results and outcomes of projects;
• Provide guidance to candidate researchers and interns;
• Raise personal, team and institutional profiles through publishing original research and presenting at national and international conferences and workshops.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

A minimum of honours degree in civil/industrial/transport engineering, transport planning or applied mathematics, with at least five years’ field experience in one of the following:

• Transport planning
• Travel surveys
• Transport modelling
• Transport policy review,
• Transport decision support systems
• A good understanding of the wider transport planning/engineering environment.
• Experience of modelling software such as SATURN, VISUM, EMME, CUBE
• Knowledge of microsimulation software such as VISSIM, PARAMICS, AIMSUN
• A master’s degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage;
• Must be eligible for registration with a relevant professional body;
• Good understanding of the transport sector in South Africa;
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills;
• Ability to continuously disseminate research outputs in the form of technical papers;
• Ability to innovate and generate new knowledge;
• Must have good communication, presentation and writing skills;
• Must have the ability to work accurately, efficiently and independently as well as in a team;
• Committed to providing high quality, affordable and innovative solutions and advice to clients and have good report writing, project management, supervisory, communication and technical ability.
• Ability to work in a methodical manner is essential;
• Ability to carry out strategic stakeholder interactions at all levels;
• Ability to effectively present ideas, concepts, plan and procedures;
• Demonstrated track record of the ability to work accurately, independently and efficiently.

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About the job:

The CSIR Smart Mobility Cluster has a vacancy for a Research Group Leader: Pavement Design and Construction in the Transport Infrastructure Engineering impact area. The incumbent will be responsible for leading the development and growth of the research group and ensure the highest quality standards in the group’s outputs. This position is based in Pretoria, however the incumbent may be expected to travel from time to time.

About the group:

The research group strives to effectively and efficiently deliver practical, innovative, knowledge-based solutions addressing the infrastructure needs of the transport sector. The group plays a leading role in the development, application and transfer of processes and technologies for the design, construction, maintenance and management of transport infrastructure.

The group consists of a team of professionals specialising in all aspects of transport infrastructure design, construction and maintenance, including the assessment of material and pavement behaviour, and performance modelling. The senior engineers and technologists in the team have international standing and are well-known in their areas of specialisation through their contributions to the advancement of transport infrastructure engineering.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide scientific leadership to staff in the Pavement Design and Construction research group by means of an excellent grasp of the field and by ensuring quality scientific outputs and the professional development and transformation of the group’s scientific capacity;
• Promote a culture of scientific excellence in terms of both quality and delivery;
• Drive the strategic vision of the Pavement Design and Construction research group;
• Contribute to the ongoing development and implementation of strategies to grow the research group;
• Assist the Impact Area Manager to construct and implement a business plan for the impact area (including strategy, goals, mission, HR, finances);
• Identify and manage research opportunities in order to secure external contracts;
• Establish, build, manage and maintain mutually beneficial and credible stakeholder relationships;
• Ensure financial sustainability of the research group, through active networking, developing and managing client relationships, understanding the client needs and aligning them with internal needs and capability;
• Conceptualise, lead and deliver on multi-disciplinary and multi-agency projects and programmes in support of pavement design and construction, decision-making and policy development;
• Draft project proposals, identify tasks and activities to facilitate execution, and allocate appropriate resources;
• Prepare reports, guidelines or other documents aimed at disseminating the results and outcomes of projects;
• Manage, motivate and develop the people in the research group and enable their career growth through creation of opportunities;
• Provide guidance to researchers and mentorship to interns and learners;
• Direct, drive and measure the performance of the people in the research group;
• Ensure that the research group is dynamic, and remains innovative, competitive and abreast of trends;
• Raise personal, team and institutional profiles through publishing original research and presenting at national and international conferences and workshops;
• Ensure the quality and delivery of projects and publications in the group by means of technical reviews and quality assurance;
• Ensure impact of the research group’s work.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

A Masters’ degree in civil engineering with at least, ten years’ experience in at least five of the following fields related to road engineering: 

• materials design and evaluation
• structural design
• performance assessment and modelling
• vehicle-pavement interaction
• construction and maintenance
• geotechnical engineering
• risk and vulnerability assessment
• forensic investigation
• procurement/contractual models
• infrastructure funding alternatives
• asset management
• sustainability science 
• A Doctorate would be advantageous.
• Must be registered as a Professional Engineer; 
• Proven leadership, management skills and financial acumen;
• Track record of successful development and management of revenue streams in the field of pavement design and/or construction;
• Ability to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the business/engineering environment in which the research group operates;
• Recognition as an expert in the road infrastructure domain or in related fields allowing the individual to contribute to integration across disciplines;
• Networking ability and proven networks within all aspects of transport infrastructure design, construction, maintenance and rehabilitation, including the assessment of materials and pavement behaviour, and performance modelling, demonstrated through participation in national or provincial committees, task teams and working groups;
• Proven contract and project management experience on medium to large-scale projects, preferably multi-disciplinary research and development projects;
• Practical knowledge of and experience in a range of research methods;
• Excellent report-writing skills;
• Track record of research outputs published in peer-reviewed journals, books or conference proceedings;
• Effective communication skills (oral, written and presentation), including excellent communication in English;
• Skills in staff motivation and performance management;
• Analytical skills with a problem-solving, solution-seeking orientation;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Computer literacy and experience in using standard software packages; programming skills will be an advantage.

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher in the Energy Research Centre within the Smart Centre cluster. Working within the Energy Supply and Demand Research Group, the researcher will focus on conducting research and development in the field of Energy Efficiency and Demand Response providing innovative solutions designed to modify, control and influence the demand for energy by consumers thereby optimizing the energy system, reduce energy usage and cost to decarbonise and improve the competitiveness of the South African economy. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

Technical:

• Formulate and conduct research in energy efficiency and demand response
• Able to conduct energy audits, measure and verify energy savings based on international standards and protocols.
• Conduct and supervise research studies related to energy demand forecasting/modelling, performance measurement of energy efficiency and demand response technologies and strategies.
• Modeling and piloting of energy efficiency and demand response solutions
• Provide technical advisory services to government, industry, and other stakeholders.

Communication

• Collect data and generate research papers and reports.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate results of studies.
• Establish collaborative networks and engage in cross-cluster projects within the CSIR
• Establish new and maintain existing agreements, relationships and partnerships with other research organisations working on topics aligned to this research area.

Management

• Assist in forming the research agenda/plan for the research area
• Assist in identifying opportunities, developing proposals, and attracting and securing external contract R&D income for the research area.
• Manage research contracts to ensure adherence to brief, budget and schedule.
• Ensure development of self and other researchers through coaching, mentoring, work assignment, structured training and appropriate supervision in order to maximise human potential in line with the needs of the organisation.
• Provide general project management (updating and tracking budgets and tasks, managing and leading project tasks)

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A master’s degree in engineering (Electrical, mechanical or chemical engineering);
• Certified professional qualifications such as CEM, CEA, CMVP etc
• At least five years’ relevant experience in energy efficiency or energy management from Industry/Research/Consultancy.
• Demonstrated knowledge of energy end-use technologies such as building controls, motors, lighting, hot water heating and HVAC systems
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of energy efficiency protocols, programme design and implementation.
• A good understanding of the link between energy efficiency and demand response
• A good understanding of the use of energy efficiency as an environmental and sustainability compliance strategy.
• An understanding of various energy efficiency business and funding models
• Familiar with energy efficiency data management systems and software
• Familiar with energy efficiency policies and incentives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report or certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for Project Administrator in the Human Capital Management portfolio. The incumbent will provide administrative support to the project management function to ensure effective and efficient delivery of projects. This position is located in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Assist with routing of project management documentation to ensure required approvals are obtained;
• Assist with the preparation of the project and contract registration forms and project schedules;
• Update project information in the required format and in the appropriate system;
• Organise data files and maintain;
• Draw monthly reports as appropriate;
• Deal with project queries and route appropriately;
• Assist the management of internal process of contractual agreements;
• Schedules project meetings and ensures all relevant documentation is distributed;
• Monitor project expenses against project budget;
• Provide inputs requested to and prepare documentation required by relevant programme governance committees. (Programme status report, status of invoices, dashboard, etc.);
• Prepares project documentation and assist the Project Manager with administrative tasks;
• Engage with service providers for delivery of the projects;
• Adhere to the PFMA, procurement policies for the implementation of the projects;
• Assist with travel arrangements, and where required, travel for the implementation of the projects.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A National Diploma in project management/human resource management /industrial psychology with at least one year’ experience in project management administration and co-ordination;
• Experience using Microsoft Project or similar software;
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or equivalent;
• Driver’s licence