Current Vacancies at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Human Capital Project Administrator in the Human Capital Management portfolio. The incumbent will provide administrative and coordination support for effective and efficient implementation of graduate development programmes such as bursary, scholarship and studentship programmes etc. in order to ensure a supply of appropriately qualified talent for the organisation. The position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Coordinate the recruitment process of graduate development programmes;
• Coordinate the contracting and appointment process for the graduate development programmes;
• Coordinate the annual induction, training programme and networking events;
• Engage with service providers for delivery of relevant services;
• Coordinate the vacation work programme;
• Coordinate the buddy programme including mentors and mentees training, and monitoring student feedback;
• Coordinate the student registration process with the universities and maintain a database of all registration documents;
• Coordinate student support including individual and group meetings;
• Travel to universities to meet with our students and university partners;
• Request, capture and analyze students results;
• Review student results and communicate funding decisions with students, finance and HR;
• Attend to student enquiries as required including the monitoring correspondence with students;
• Attend outreach events around the country in order to create awareness of CSIR and graduate development programmes;
• Coordinate the placement process for the graduating students within the CSIR;
• Provide administrative support with relevant departments for the implementation of the graduate development programmes  
• Coordinate the relevant training for supervisors and students;
• Coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of relevant graduate development programme;
• Maintain a database and documents for all funded students; 
• Maintain a working relationship with internal and external stakeholders;
• Prepare reports for student intake, vacation work, performance and placement;
• Schedule partner meetings as required;
• Assist with travel arrangements, where required.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A national diploma in Human Resource Management/Industrial Psychology or related field with at least one year work experience in an administration and coordination role within the graduate development space;
• Experience using Microsoft Office;
• Must be willing to travel in South Africa for work purposes, as and when required;
• Driver’s licence.

Closing date: 21 July 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has an internship opportunity in the Facilities Management and Security Services (FM&SS) portfolio. The purpose of the internship is to provide graduates with an opportunity to gain practical work experience through performing quality surveying and project administration duties. The position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Assist in the preparation and management of contracts;
• Source pricing and prepare cost analysis for repair and maintenance project work;
• Assist in establishing a client's requirements and undertake feasibility studies;
• Liaise with suppliers, subcontractors and manufactures for all contracts;
• General project management activities and provide administrative support to the team;
• Establish clear project brief and outlining the scope of work through the development;
• Compile payment certificates with contractors before invoices are submitted to the project manager for approval and payment;
• Provide the client with a number of estimates based on different design options as the design may develop for approval;
• Obtain quotes and assist with managing project finances;
• Develop cost plan based on the approved design option;
• Prepare detailed estimates and finalization of an area schedule based on project.
• Prepare bills of quantities based on the approved design;
• Participate in the preparation of Request For Quotations and financial valuation of tenders;
• Provide post contract services in order to monitor and control the project costs and ensure they fall within the accepted budget;
• Notify the client on matters that could possibly affect the project cost before they occur.
• Prepare updated cash flows and cost reports ensuring the client is aware of all matters relating to the project costs;
• Attend site and design coordination meetings as required;
• Re-measure for final account purposes as work proceeds;
• Manage minor projects under the supervision and guidance of a senior Project Manager;
• Prepare monthly valuation for Contractor’s payment and estimates of proposed variation.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A three-year diploma or BTech degree in Quantity Surveying/ Construction Management;
• Basic knowledge of the construction industry/ civil works;
• Ability to function under pressure and manage stress;
• Good office administrative and record keeping skills;
• Good analytical and problem solving skills;
• Good time management and planning skills;
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written);
• Attention to detail and excellent interpersonal skills;
• Sound work ethic and ability to work in large teams is essential.
• Understanding of project management;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office;
• Able to travel to different work locations and provinces where required.

Closing date: 21 July 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Researcher: Chemistry in the Agro Processing Research Group within Advanced Agriculture and Food Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to  scale up processes, in natural products extraction, within food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals market segments. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Undertake research in process and product development based on natural products across the value chain;
• Conduct Risk Assessments /HAZOPs for facilities and processes to ensure safe and technically feasible processes and methodology;
• Support development, operation, and maintenance of facilities utilities, such as steam chilled water, vacuum, and ventilation for the agro-processing chemical pilot plant, in conjunction with GMR 2.7/CSIR facilities/external service providers;
• Conduct and oversee equipment procurement, design specification, installation and operational specifications sign off and training;
• Draft, review and sign off on equipment and process Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Perform techonomic modelling, process costing and raw material costing;
• Mentor junior chemist and engineers;
• Identify and manage research opportunities to secure external contracts;
• Write and review research proposals for funding, research reports, client reports and peer-reviewed publications;
• Prepare reports, guidelines or other documents aimed at disseminating the results and outcomes of projects.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master’s degree in chemistry with at least five years’ experience in an academic/industrial field;
• A Doctoral degree will be an added advantage;
• Experience working in a food, chemical, pharmaceuticals, and biologicals in a manufacturing set-up will be an added advantage;
• Experience and operation of HPLC/GC/NMR
• International tertiary exposure would be an added advantage;
• Natural products applied process and product development experience from discovery to scale-up (kilo scale/pilot scale);
• Understanding of chemistry, synthesis, and application of enzymes and chemical catalysts in chemical transformations in preparation of pharmaceuticals/active pharmaceutical intermediates;
• Downstream processing expertise / experience, extraction, spray drying, distillation freeze drying column chromatograph;
• Ability to work in a methodical manner is essential;
• Ability to interact with strategic stakeholders at all levels;
• Ability to present ideas, concepts, plan, and procedures;
• Ability to work independently and in a team;
• Excellent business management skills;
• Excellent people management skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Programme and project management skills
• Demonstrated track record of the ability to work accurately, independently, and efficiently;

Closing date: 01 August 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has an internship opportunity in the Facilities Management and Security Services (FM&SS) portfolio. The purpose of the internship is to provide graduates with an opportunity to gain practical work experience through performing architecture duties. The position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Assist in the preparation and management of contracts;
• Assist in establishing a client's requirements and undertake feasibility studies;
• Liaise with suppliers, subcontractors and manufactures for all contracts;
• General project management activities;
• Provide administrative support to the team;
• Establish clear project brief and outlining the scope of work through the development;
• Produce all documentation relating to the design including, drawings, 3D models and images;
• Assist the projects team with co-ordination of the project and program;
• Assist and support the Facilities Management Project Managers with compiling schematic layout drawings as per scope of work, before project costing can be finalized;
• Administration, planning, site supervision and quality control;
• Liaise with contractors and site construction managers;
• Assist with all activities related to project management, site supervision, quality control and administration;
• Manage minor projects under the supervision and guidance of a senior Project Manager;
• Assist with the implementation of all aspects relating to new building projects, building renovations, from project commencement, documentation, tenders or quotations, project management and handover of the project. 

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A three-year diploma or bachelor of techchnology degree in Architecture;
• Ability to function under pressure and manage stress;
• Good office administrative and record keeping skills;
• Good analytical and problem solving skills;
• Good time management and planning skills;
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written);
• Attention to detail and excellent interpersonal skills;
• Sound work ethic and ability to work in large teams is essential.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office;
• Understanding of project management;
• Able to travel to different work locations including provinces where required.

Closing date: 21 July 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for General Assistant in the Facilities Management and Security Services (FM&SS) portfolio. The incumbent will be responsible performing semi-skilled multiple repair and maintenance tasks as well as assisting with carrying out planned and breakdown maintenance, refurbishments and new installations. This role also involves carrying out preventative maintenance tasks on buildings, systems, equipment and ancillary areas. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Assist Artisans and Handyman in carrying out planned maintenance and repairs to CSIR buildings plant and equipment;
• Perform minor plumbing work to include but not limited to the following: assembling and installing piping, toilets, washbasins, valves, fittings and preventative maintenance inspections;
• Assist the plumber with all types of plumbing work which will include assisting with installations, inspections, diagnosing problems/faults/leaks, testing, repair and maintenance of pipes, fixtures and other water and plumbing systems used anywhere for water distribution and waste disposal;
• Perform a variety of routine tasks associated with erecting and repairing structures and facilities, maintaining stormwater, drainage and sewerage systems, excavating earth and clearing and levelling sites, and installing and maintaining piping systems, fixtures and water regulators;
• Erecting and dismantling temporary structures such as barricades and scaffolding;
• Perform general facilities duties to include but are not limited to the following: general housekeeping in all areas of work; cleaning of vehicles used by the section; attending to personnel visiting the site such as contractors;
• Carry out other general duties within the section and assist clients with minor requests as may be assigned by the Supervisor from time to time.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Grade 12 certificate;
• Two (2) years’ experience in a technical / maintenance environment;
• Good knowledge of maintenance and Facilities management;
• Knowledge and experienced in Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) and statutory compliance in workshop environment.
• Code 8 driver’s License with medical clearance certificate.

Closing date: 24 July 2023

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About the job:

The CSIR has an Internship opportunity in the Biomanufacturing Technologies, 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 Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

Under supervision, the Intern will be required to:

• Analyse and interpret experimental results;
• Willingness to learn about biocatalysis 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 agents;
• Conduct routine general biocatalysis experiments.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, microbiology, chemistry or related field;
• An Honours degree in the above fields will be advantageous;
• Must have a ‘hands on’ approach with respect to equipment operation, and working in the laboratory;
• Must be Computer literate with MS Office Package;  
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written);

The following skills are required:

• Self-motivated and a team player;
• Analytical, methodical, innovative and results driven;
• Willingness to learn and work under pressure;
• Pro-active and focused;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• 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).

Closing date: 26 July 2023