Senior Researcher: Transport Infrastructure Management

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading scientific research organisation in Pretoria is seeking a Senior Researcher: Transport Infrastructure Management to lead high-impact research in the transport sector. The ideal candidate holds a master's degree and has at least ten years of experience. Responsibilities include leading research projects, developing innovative transport solutions, and managing stakeholder relationships. This role offers a significant opportunity to influence transport infrastructure in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years field experience.
• Good understanding of the transport sector in South Africa.
• Ability to work accurately, efficiently and independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects in transport systems.
• Develop innovative technological interventions.
• Establish and manage stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Transport infrastructure management systems

Management of infrastructure condition field inspections

Writing of infrastructure management guidelines

Development of decision support systems

Infrastructure economics

Excellent interpersonal skills

Good communication and presentation skills

Ability to innovate and generate new knowledge

Education

Master's degree in civil/transport engineering or related field

Doctoral degree or currently studying towards one

Tools

Domain specialised software

Job description

Overview

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 CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher: Transport Infrastructure Management in the Transport Infrastructure Management Research Group, within the Smart Mobility Cluster. The incumbent will carry out high impact research and technological innovation in areas that include design and deployment of infrastructure management systems, development of transport infrastructure asset management models; and infrastructure lifecycle economic modelling. This position is based in Pretoria.

For more information about the cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/smart-mobility

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research projects;
• Lead the development of innovative technological interventions in transport systems and operations;
• Lead the development of toolkits, simulation/forecast models and technology packages for effective deployment in the transport sector;
• 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;
• Raise personal, team and institutional profiles through publishing original research and presenting at national and international conferences and workshops;
• Manage the deployment of transport asset management systems, including provision of end-user training on transport infrastructure inspections.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A minimum of a masters degree in civil/transport engineering, transport planning or applied mathematics, with at least ten years field experience
• Transport infrastructure management systems
• Management of infrastructure condition field inspections
• Writing of infrastructure management guidelines
• Development of decision support systems in the built environment
• Infrastructure economics
• 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;
• 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;
• Must be computer literate as well as can understand and use domain specialised software;
• 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.

Closing date

Closing date: 10 September 2025

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

For more info, please email us at [e-mail]. Please do-not send your application 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 require 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.