Senior Researcher/Engineer: Energy Systems

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. The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher/Engineer: Energy Systems (Energy Modelling) in the

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.

Senior Researcher/Engineer: Energy Systems (Energy Modelling)
Middle Management

About The Job
The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Researcher/Engineer in the Energy Centre within the Smart Places cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for supporting the translation of CSIR energy-related research into direct and tangible recommendations for South African policymakers at Government, Provincial and Municipal levels on how to achieve an optimal energy supply mix and configuration to ensure stable and sustainable supply and the growth of South African industry. This position is based in Pretoria.

This position reports to Research Group Leader.

For more information about the Smart Places cluster, please visit

Key Responsibilities

• Manage projects, research and conduct investigations on energy modelling and related topics.
• Provide research direction to the Energy Centre on energy planning and energy modelling
• Participate in local panels or working groups on power systems topics.
• Work with a team of researchers/engineers in your own field and across other disciplines
• Generate technical reports, articles, conference papers and presentations aimed at energy modelling locally and internationally.
• Provide training on energy planning related topics to CSIR employees and externally.
• Formulate research proposals to attract contract research income from public and private clients
• Develop relationships with potential, collaborators and stakeholders for R&D in power systems topics
• Compile technical reports for clients in the energy sector;
• Manage contract research and development and ensure adherence to schedule and budget.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• Master¿s degree in electrical/mechanical/industrial engineering, mathematics, science or equivalent with at least five years¿ working experience in the energy sector, of which three years¿ should be in energy modelling
• Strong network in the public and private sectors as links to sustainable energy supply, with a track record of working with clients and obtaining contract R&D in the field.
• Familiarity with modelling approaches for energy planning and modelling and project management experience.
• Specialized Software Proficiency: Intermediate to advanced user level of competency in PLEXOS, Balmorel, OSEMOSYS, TIMES, or others (ability to build capacity expansion and unit commitment models from scratch, not just run existing ones).
• Strong project management skills required
• Policy and Strategy Acumen: Experience translating technical results into policy insights (e.g., contributing to the IRP/gas masterplan/ municipal/enterprise level electricity masterplans).
• Research Leadership: Proven ability to formulate research questions, manage data collection projects, and lead technical task teams
• 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

• Flexible hybrid work arrangement;
• 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

or email us at

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.***