Studentship opportunities

Studentship features/benefits

The CSIR studentship programme is both prestigious and competitive. A studentship is an employment contract with the CSIR for selected graduates to primarily perform research on a topic approved by the organisation, which is fully funded by the CSIR and will lead to a Master's or PhD degree. The benefits or features of a studentship are:

• Obtain a Master’s or PhD degree while working as part of a research group
• Obtain exposure to related industry and public sector projects
• Perform research and other activities, which advance the objectives of the group; if this work is not directly related to the attainment of the degree, this time will not exceed 30% of the studentship time
• Very attractive financial support provided for full-time study (in excess of market norms): annual salary; university fees; subsistence and travel for meetings with the university supervisor, if required; presenting papers at international peer-reviewed conferences (if deemed important)
• No contractual obligations after completing the degree
• Degree conferred by a South African university, depending on choice of topic and supervisor
• Candidate should have the necessary prior degree in order to commence the studentship.
  • For PhD studentship: Master's degree
  • For Master's studentship: Honours degree
  • Applications can also be made while in the final year of prior degree on condition that the degree is completed before the commencement of the studentship.

How to apply

1. Fill in your details on the standard studentship CV template. You will need the Microsoft Excel program to edit this template. Filling in your information will probably take you about three to four hours.
2. Go to this website to apply online: www.csir.co.za/apply.php
3. Ensure that you select the correct position reference number (indicated within the particular advert) on the online application form.
4. Complete the online application form.
5. Attach the template you filled out in step 1 to this online application form. Remember, you should have saved this template as "<lastname> <firstname> 2010.xls" (e.g. "skosana prisca 2010.xls")
6. Attach the following documents in an email to centralrecruit@csir.co.za with a subject line in the format "MERAKA <lastname> <firstname> 2010 <masters/PhD> studentship in <research group>" (e.g. MERAKA skosana prisca 2010 masters studentship in HPC):
   • Certified copy of your full academic record.
   • Copy of your ID document or passport.
   • List of any relevant publications you have produced (if applicable).
7. You must use the template specified in step 1 and supply all the information asked of you in that template. Strictly adhere to the instructions given in all the steps of this application procedure or else your application may not be processed at all (and if it is processed you will still have severely disadvantaged yourself).

Please note

1. The CSIR is not obliged to fill any advertised positions.
2. Preference will be given to South African citizens/permanent residents and all appointments will be made in accordance with the CSIR’s employment equity initiatives. Preference will also be given to candidates who have a relevant prior relationship with the Meraka Institute (e.g. in the form of a bursary).
3. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, consents and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from a registered credit bureau and/or SAPS (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 qualifications and employment history.
4. Correspondence will be entered into with short-listed candidates only.

Positions available