The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organization that researches, develops, localizes and diffuses technologies to accelerate socioeconomic prosperity in South Africa. The organization’s work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.
Senior Researcher: Social Scientist
(Three- year fixed contract)
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.
For more info about the impact area or cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/smart-places
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: 12 May 2023
PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.
For more info, please email us at Recruitment01@csir.co.za. Please do-not send your applications to this mailbox, it is only for inquiries.
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.
