Senior Researcher

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.

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher:
Transport Planning and Modelling.

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher:
Transport Planning and Modelling, in the Passenger Transport Research Group, within the Smart Mobility Cluster. The incumbent will carry out high impact research and technological innovation in areas that include development of network models; modelling of new mobility concepts; public transport service designs; design and deployment of multi-modal transport networks; and the economics of transport systems. This position is based in Pretoria.

This position reports to the Research Group Leader.

For more information about the cluster, please visit

• Lead research projects;
• Lead the development of innovative technological interventions in transport systems and operations;
• Develop numerical models from first principles;
• Manage large scale surveys and experiments;
• Establish, build, manage and maintain mutually beneficial and credible stakeholder relationships locally and internationally;
• Prepare reports, guidelines or other documents aimed at disseminating the results and outcomes of projects;
• Provide guidance to candidate researchers and interns;
• Client liaison;
• Raise personal, team and institutional profiles through publishing original research and presenting at national and international conferences and workshops.

• A Master’s degree in transport engineering, traffic engineering, transport planning or econometrics, with at least ten years’ field experience in one of the following:
  • Transport modelling
  • Traffic Engineering
  • Transport decision support systems
  • Econometric modelling in the transport sector
• A Doctoral degree, or studying towards one, in a relevant field will be an added advantage;
• Must be eligible for registration with a relevant professional body;
• A good understanding of the wider transport planning/engineering environment;
• Experience in working with large datasets to inform decisions;
• Experience of modelling software such as SATURN, VISUM, EMME, CUBE;
• Good understanding of the transport sector in South Africa;
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills;
• Ability to continuously disseminate research outputs in the form of technical papers;
• Ability to innovate and generate new knowledge;
• Must have good communication, presentation and writing skills;
• Must have the ability to work accurately, efficiently and independently as well as in a team;
• Committed to providing high quality, affordable and innovative solutions and advice to clients and have good report writing, project management, supervisory, communication and technical ability;
• Ability to work in a methodical manner is essential;
• Ability to carry out strategic stakeholder interactions at all levels;
• Ability to effectively present ideas, concepts, plan and procedures;
• Demonstrated track record of the ability to work accurately, independently and efficiently.

• 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.