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

The CSIR has a Doctoral Studentship:

• Artificial Intelligence Technologies opportunity in the Emerging Digital Technologies for Fourth Industrial Revolution (EDT4IR) Research Centre, within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster.
• A doctoral studentship is a temporary (three-year) employment contract with the CSIR for selected graduates to primarily perform research on topics approved by the CSIR and under the co supervision of CSIR experts.
• The doctoral studentships are for three (3) year period.
• The studentship is fully funded by the CSIR and will lead to a doctoral degree. 
• The incumbent will be responsible for under conduct original research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) by demonstrating theoretical and application aspects of AI techniques.

 Possible research areas include (but not limited to): 

• General Artificial intelligence 
• Large-scale Machine Learning/Deep Learning 
• Probabilistic modelling, Information Theory 
• Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality 
• Computer vision for Artificial Intelligence 
• Artificial Intelligence bias 
• Prepare a research proposal to be approved by both the CSIR and the university; 
• Prepare a written literature overview of the current state-of-the-art relevant to the research topic; 
• Perform original research to solve the open research problem(s) that the student identified in his/her proposal; 
• Produce sufficient quantity and quality of peer-reviewed publications based on the Doctoral research topic; 
• Compile the Doctoral thesis and defending the work successfully; and 
• Contribute to extra activities that may be outside the scope of the doctoral research as per the needs of the research group. The amount of such work shall be limited to 20% of the total time. 
• A Master’s degree in computer/electronic engineering, computer science or equivalent NQF 9 qualification(s); 
• Ability to generate research questions and hypotheses: Review, critique and synthesize a body of research, identifying significant gaps in knowledge, methods and study subjects to develop research questions and testable hypotheses; 
• Ability to work well under pressure as part of a team as well as independently 
• Effectively communicate issues, research findings and implications of research verbally and in writing to appropriate professional and public audiences; 
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated individuals who take ownership and initiative and have the willingness to learn; 
• Good knowledge of digital ledger technologies; 
• A good peer-reviewed publication record will be advantageous. 

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The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Blockchain Technical Specialist in the Future Production Impact Area within the Manufacturing Cluster. The purpose of the role is to provide expert technical leadership in the conceptualisation, design, development, and application of blockchain to multiple use cases, particularly in the manufacturing sector, covering issues such as traceability, digital rights management, identity, logistics and supply chain management. This position is based in Pretoria. For more information about the impact area and, please visit: https://www.csir.co.za/centre-robotics-and-future-production.

• Drive the conceptualisation, design, development and implementation of blockchain solutions at a technical level;
• Present blockchain opportunities, solutions, proof-of-concepts, and options to clients in a consultative environment;
• Technical leadership of internal and external blockchain development teams;
• Coach and mentor other members of the blockchain development team, growing the collective knowledge and expertise of the group;
• Thought leadership, supported by research & development activities into new and emerging blockchain and web3 technologies and approaches;
• Interact with both internal and external clients to develop long term relationships;
• Work in a multidisciplinary environment with clients, engineers, scientist, project managers and technicians;
• Support clients with blockchain implementations in their business and analyse their needs;
• Provide consultancy services as part of a multidisciplinary team of specialized technical experts into interpreting and translating user, operational or business requirements into fit-for-purpose conceptual solutions that will ensure client expectations are met or exceeded;
• Assemble, install, configure, and integrate the solutions according to the supplier and best practice standards to meet operational performance requirements;
• Research and evaluate technologies and/or combinations of technologies that will culminate in conceptual solutions and submit recommendations on the best fit-for-purpose conceptual solutions that will ensure client functional and performance requirements are met or exceeded;
• Develop design (functional, performance, etc) specifications and integrate interfaces/components for approved conceptual solutions to ensure client functional and performance requirements are met or exceeded, and that the solution integrates or interfaces appropriately with current and future planned ICT infrastructure;
• Prepare and submit the necessary motivations and supporting documentation for the procurement of components required to ensure the delivery of approved solutions on time and within budget.

Experience and Qualification

• A bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science or engineering, Software engineering or Electronic engineering with at least three years software engineering experience (backend and/or fullstack) developing highly reliable, scalable products and services;
• At least two years developing blockchain solutions using Ethereum (Solidity) or other mainstream blockchain network;
• At least one year technical leadership and systems architecture experience in a blockchain environment, using agile approaches;
• Experience with at least one modern coding language such as Javascript, Python, Java, C++;
• Experience in mentoring and coaching inexperienced developers;
• Knowledge of the current blockchain ecosystem (Cryptocurrencies, Fintech, NFTs, Web3, DAOs, Metaverse);
• Technical and strategic knowledge of the future of blockchain, Web3 and associated technologies;
• Knowledge of the interaction between blockchain and other 4IR technologies (AI, IOT, cloud computing, etc.);
• Advance analytical skills;
• Problem solving skills;
• Organising and attention to detail;
• Good communication and collaboration skills;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Closing date: 03 March 2023