CSIR Jobs – 27 August 2026

To apply, click on the link at the end of the posts and all the best with your applications

Instrumentation Technician

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation’s work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Instrumentation Technician

About the job: 

The CSIR has a vacancy for Instrumentation Technician in the Mining Testing and Training group within the Mining cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to ensure that instrumentation is procured, stored, maintained, repaired, calibrated, and replaced as required in support of operational readiness in the Kloppersbos facility and the Cottesloe mining testing laboratories. This position is based in Cottesloe and Kloppersbos.

For more information about the unit, please visit: https://www.csir.co.za/future-production-mining

 Key responsibilities:

• Maintain calibration of measurement instruments and maintain the calibration schedule;
• Procure instrumentation, consumables and measurement instruments as required by testing projects and routine testing services;
• Develop test and measurement methods suitable to the RDI operational needs and customer testing requirements;
• Install, set-up and commission instrumentation and related equipment in the laboratory and at test facilities in the danger area as needed for testing;
• Undertake system checks, data recording, data integrity checks, fault finding and fixing during testing operations and do data post-processing after recording.
• Maintain instrumentation, cabling, transducers, data recording equipment and related tools and equipment incl. repair, clean and store ready for use.
• Support the Manager, Supervisor and Explosives Manager in ensuring that testing and training operations are carried out safely;
• Maintain and upgrade as required the instrumentation and control systems in the laboratory, milling plant and testing facilities in the danger area;
• Identify and communicate suggestions for continuous improvement.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A National Diploma in electronic/ electrical/ mechanical engineering or NQF Level 6 qualification;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 
• At least five years’ experience in control and instrumentation, or in use and maintenance of instruments and equipment in a mechanical laboratory and / or mechanical field measurements and data recording;
• Knowledge of transducers for physical measurements (e.g. force, acceleration, pressure, temperature) and data acquisition equipment; 
• Knowledge and ability to do post-processing of recorded data including the identification and clean-up of spurious data.
• Basic understanding of occupational health and safety protocols and standards; 
• Ability to prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
• Good verbal and written communication skills;
• Planning and organizing skills;
• Strong mathematical skills;
• Mechanical, electrical, and electronic troubleshooting ability;
• Operational requirements include:
  • Lifting equipment operator;
  • Driver’s license.

The incumbent will be expected to travel between Cottesloe in Johannesburg, CSIR Scientia (Pretoria), and Kloppersbos north of Pretoria.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at Recruitmentinfo@csir.co.za 

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicant¿s educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.

Click here to apply

Master’s Studentship: Space Engineering

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation’s work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Master’s Studentship: Space Engineering

About the job: 

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Master’s Studentship: Space Engineering in the Optronic Sensor System (OSS), within the Defence and Security Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for undertaking original research and development in Space Engineering with the Optronics Sensor System Impact Area. This position is based in Pretoria.

For more information about the cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/defence-and-security

Research areas: 

• Electro Optics Payload for Disaster Management
• Electro-Optics Payload Image Processing
• Satellite Bus Design and Development
• Satellite Orbital Mechanics Design
• Space Modelling and Simulation
• Space Ground Station Technologies
• Emerging Artificial Intelligence technologies for Space Applications
• Thermal management of satellite buses and payloads 
• Radiation shielding of satellite bus materials
• Space Data Management, Processing and Analysis

Key responsibilities:

• Prepare a research proposal to be approved by both the CSIR OSS 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 Master’s research topic;
• Compile a Masters’s thesis dissertation and defending the work successfully; and
• Contribute to extra project activities that may be outside the scope of the Master’s research as per the needs of the research group. The amount of such work shall be limited to 20% of the total time.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree in electronic/computer/mechanical/mechatronic engineering or a related/relevant field;
• Register for a Master’s qualification within the South African university (to be agreed upon with the CSIR co-supervisor);
• Must have a strong background in Electronics and Mechanical Systems, System Engineering, Cybersecurity in Space Domain, Data Communication systems;
• Knowledge of machine learning and/or artificial intelligence application in space technologies;
• Working knowledge of related programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, (and others applicable);
• Must have knowledge of modelling and simulation software such as STK, ANSYS, NX Siemens (and others applicable);
• Must have experience in software development for experimentation and computer simulation with a hands-on approach;
• Good understanding of the scientific method: design of experiments, running experiments, critical analysis of results, and dissemination of knowledge;
• Good communication skills (verbal and written) and ability to interact efficiently with diverse teams of people; and
• A good peer-reviewed publication record will be advantageous.

Applicants must attach the following documents:

• A cover letter (maximum two pages) including a description of the applicant’s research interests, the problem statement, research statement or question(s), research objectives and expected outputs/outcomes/impact of the research;
• Certified copies of the applicant’s latest academic results or transcript;
• Certified copies of tertiary qualifications;
• Curriculum vitae;
• If applicable, proof of registration from the university or a confirmation letter from the university supervisor that she/he is willing to be involved in the candidate supervision; and
• A recommendation letter would be advantageous;

What’s in it for you? 

The CSIR offers:

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees’ contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at Recruitmentinfo@csir.co.za 

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from Designated Groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances) and may also verify the applicant’s educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date, and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.

Click here to apply

Internal Auditor

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation’s work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Internal Auditor

About the job: 

The CSIR has a vacancy for an Internal Auditor in the Internal Audit Service portfolio. The incumbent will provide independent, objective assurance and consulting activities, designed to add value and improve the organization’s operations. The incumbent will also evaluate and improve the adequacy and effectiveness of an organization’s risk management, internal controls, and governance processes. This position is located in Pretoria.

This position reports to the Manager: Risk Assurance and IT.

Key responsibilities:

• Apply the ethical principles of integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality and professional behaviour in the context of an audit.
• Lead and execute complex internal audit assignments, including financial, operational, and compliance audits, in accordance with professional standards and established audit methodologies.
• Plan and conduct risk assessments to identify key areas of risk within the organization and develop appropriate audit programs to address identified risks
• Plan and perform an audit with professional scepticism recognising that circumstances may exist that cause potential risks
• Develop an understanding of the audit approach, methodology and tools through planning and conducting preliminary surveys and preparing an Audit Planning Memorandum (APM) prior to undertaking each audit project.
• Develop an understanding of the client business and the areas audited through:
• Researching and familiarization with applicable policies and procedures of the business
• Obtaining data from other functions within the organization or externally (where necessary) while performing the audits
• Interpret the policies, procedures and processes and assess compliance thereof within the organisation.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of internal controls, processes, and systems, and assess compliance with policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, and to identify control weaknesses, inefficiencies, and areas of potential risk
• Document working papers in line with the IIA standards to assist in:
• Preparing an evidence-based draft report, including conclusions drawn from the work undertaken and recommendations for improved control.
• Providing a detailed audit trail of the work performed.
• Collaborate with process owners and management to develop and implement action plans to address identified issues, improve internal controls, and mitigate risks.
• Review and provide guidance on the adequacy and effectiveness of control design and recommend enhancements to strengthen the control environment.
• Stay updated with industry trends, emerging risks, and regulatory changes relevant to the organization, and ensure the audit approach remains current and aligned with best practices.
• Monitor the implementation of audit recommendations and verify the adequacy and effectiveness of corrective actions taken by management.
• Execute already established audit programs for assigned projects within the required time frame through a team or individually, by interviewing clients, documenting systems, testing controls, and preparing working papers to support findings.
• Develop or update audit programs based on the risks identified and changes in operations.
• Prepare comprehensive audit reports summarizing findings, recommendations, and action plans, and present them to management and the audit committee when required.
• Compile audit certificates and other ad hoc task from time to time as allocated by the IAS management
• Build effective working relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization and provide advisory services on risk management, internal controls, and process improvements
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients and represent the IAS in various forums as directed by the Group Manager.
• Continuously assess and improve the internal audit function by recommending enhancements to audit methodologies, tools, and processes.
• Foster a culture of ethics, compliance, and continuous improvement by providing training, guidance, and promoting best practices across the organization
• Assist in the supervision and development of junior staff and new staff in the department.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• BCom/ BTech / Bachelor’s degree in Internal Auditing or related fields with at least five years of experience in internal or external auditing.
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) qualification or studying towards a CIA qualification.
• Any other certifications such as CFE, CCSA, CRMA will be an added advantage.
• Active Professional Membership to the Institute of Internal Auditors is advantageous
• Strong auditing skills including internal auditing principles, techniques, and best practices.
• Experience in conducting financial, operational, and compliance audits, including planning, fieldwork, and reporting.
• In-depth understanding of internal control frameworks (e.g., COSO) and risk management methodologies.
• Proficiency in evaluating risks, developing audit programs, and executing audit procedures.
• Good knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards (e.g., PFMA, Treasury Regulations, Accounting standards, etc.).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and provide practical recommendations.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and quality in all audit-related activities.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple assignments simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Proficiency in using audit software, data analysis tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Willingness to travel to various locations, as required.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report/certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

What¿s in it for you?  

The CSIR offers: 

• Learning and development opportunities. 
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages. 
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme. 
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees’ contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at Recruitmentinfo@csir.co.za 

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances) and may also verify the applicant¿s educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date, and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.

Click here to apply

Back-end Software Developer

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation’s work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Back-end Software Developer

About the job: 

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Back-end Software Developer: Spatial Information Systems in the eGovernment Impact Area, within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for designing, developing and contributing to the systems architecture leading to the implementation of operational systems. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

For more information about the cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/nextgen-enterprises-and-institutions.

Key responsibilities:

• Work across disciplines with researchers and experts to conceptualise and develop high-technology software solutions for clients.
• Contribute technically to large and complex projects, using cutting-edge technology and innovative designs.
• Assist and support systems architecture and development team with high-level system design and integration.
• Contribute to development activities that translate design into working systems.
• Contribute to technology research of the group by creating and publishing research outputs, such as scientific conference papers and journal articles in selected topics of interest.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours degree in geoinformatics, computer science/engineering, information technology, geomatics, electronic engineering or related fields with at least two years’ practical experience in professional software development and engineering, particularly on large, complex technology products/solutions/systems;
• A Master’s degree will be advantageous;
• Experience with the following would be required:
  • DevOps (Test automation, continuous integration CD/CI, continuous delivery, Bamboo, Jenkins)
  • Containerisation and Orchestration (Docker, docker-compose)
  • GitFlow (GitLab, GitHub, Bitbucket)
  • Message broker software (RabbitMQ, Apache 2 Kafka)
  • Atlassian software stack (JiRA, Confluence, BitBucket, Bamboo)
  • Bash and Python3 and other programming languages (Node JS)
  • Open-source software and frameworks (e.g., Django),
  • Dynamic metadata systems and interchange formats (web and geospatial),
  • Data management and analysis,
  • Relational and document databases; PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and related technologies; 
• Experience with the following would be advantageous:
  • Apache Spark, Kafka, Celery (Python)
  • Research and publication of scientific articles 
  • Using test-driven approaches and agile methods
  • Cloud computing platforms and cloud development
• Strong software development foundation, knowledge, and fundamentals;
• Must have knowledge and/or interest in developing geospatial information systems;

What’s in it for you? 

The CSIR offers:

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees’ contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.                                                                                  

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at Recruitmentinfo@csir.co.za 

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from Designated Groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances) and may also verify the applicant’s educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date, and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.

Click here to apply

Researcher (One-year contract)

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation’s work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Researcher

(One-year contract)

About the job: 

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Researcher in the Biorefinery research group within the Chemicals Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting research that will focus on the production of high-value materials from biomass feedstock and related intermediates. This position is based in Durban, South Africa.

This position reports to the Research Group Leader.

For more information about the cluster, visit www.csir.co.za/future-production-chemicals

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to research projects; through developing innovative and sustainable biomass conversion technologies;
• Publish high-quality research outputs and representing the facility at scientific and industry forums;
• Support technology transfer and commercialization initiatives aligned with the facility’s strategic objectives.
• Write sections of technical reports and help prepare presentations;
• Promote a culture of SET excellence (quality and delivery) and providing research;
• Interact with stakeholders (clients, peers) within fields of expertise to develop long term relationships both within and outside the CSIR;
• Assist the conceptualisation, structuring, managing and implementation of multi-disciplinary research projects in biorefinery and chemical engineering;
• Assist in preparing research proposals and securing external funding;
• Supervise and mentor students, interns, in-service trainees and technical staff;
• Carry out analysis and testing of samples as specified by the test methods, with any modifications approved by the supervisor or requested by researchers/clients;
• Understand the requirements of the ISO 17025 management system of the lab;
• Conduct tests in accordance with requirements of the ISO 17025 management system;

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A master’s degree in chemical engineering or related field, with at least five years’ experience.
• A doctorate degree will be advantageous.  
• A goal-oriented approach;
• Research and report writing skills;
• Communication and presentation skills;
• Problem solving, solution seeking orientation;
• Have conceptualisation and analytical skills;
• Excellent facilitation and interpersonal skills;
• Computer literacy
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

What¿s in it for you? 

The CSIR offers:

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees’ contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at Recruitmentinfo@csir.co.za 

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from Designated Groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicant’s educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.

Click here to apply

Senior Software Engineer: Information and Cybersecurity Centre

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation’s work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Senior Software Engineer: Information and Cybersecurity Centre 

About the job: 

The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Software Developer in the Information and Cybersecurity Centre within the Defence and Security Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to research, design, develop and evaluate secure desktops, servers, and mobile applications using a variety of technologies and programming languages and cyber security best practices for software development. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

For more information about the Cluster and the Centre, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/defence-and-security and https://www.csir.co.za/what-we-do/defence-and-security/information-and-cybersecurity respectively.

Key responsibilities:

• Technically lead and manage software development projects;
• Perform technical lead function by leading project work and addressing internal and external client requests; 
• Contribute to proposal preparation and collaborate with Project Manager and other leads and teams on national and international software development project work;
• Support project/resource management by assisting with project plan development;
• Providing technical leadership, delegating tasks, ensuring projects are completed on time, within scope and budget;
• Maintaining proper project documentation and submitting time-sheets weekly;
• Lead the design, development and/or piloting of emerging cybersecurity and software technologies;
• Lead with best software development and engineering practices, instilling and improving those practices and processes within the team;
• Support and contribute to the design and development of secure software applications for internal projects, concept demonstrators, and client solutions; 
• Generate and interpret requirements and specifications; 
• Assist in research and development related to software in government, military, and civilian contexts; 
• Assess, evaluate, update diverse software systems and products across multiple technology environments; 
• Apply Secure Software Development Lifecycle processes throughout all technical projects;
• Implement and review software architectures and processes;
• Coach and mentor other software developers.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, computer systems engineering or related fields with at least five years’ experience in software development/engineering in a cybersecurity environment;
• The following will be advantageous:
  • A Master’s degree.
  • Certification in Software Engineering.
  • Understanding of Docker.
  • Fullstack development experience.
• Must have knowledge and experience in the following:
  • Mobile apps development
  • Windows and Linux based development
  • Software Engineering Principles, Software Development and Cyber Security 
• Familiarity with version control (e.g. GIT)
• Backend: Java, Spring boot, Maven, PostgreSQL. Experience in Elastic Stack i.e. Elasticsearch, Logstash and Kibana is advantageous or Frontend: Angular, HTML, CSS, Typescript
• Proficiency in and/or adaptability to other Programming Languages (e.g. C#, PHP, Java, Python, JavaScript, SQL).   

What’s in it for you? 

The CSIR offers:

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees’ contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at Recruitmentinfo@csir.co.za 

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from Designated Groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances) and may also verify the applicant¿s educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date, and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications