Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Scholarships for Masters Study in South Africa 2018/2019

The CSIR invites application for a limited number of scholarships for students for a Master’s degree in the 2018 academic year.Scholarships are available for selected research as listed below.

Application Deadline: 13th April 2018

To Be Taken At (Country): Universities in South Africa

About the Award: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation, implementing projects throughout Africa and making a difference in people’s lives.

The CSIR has Masters Scholarships in the Global Change competence area, within the Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE) Unit. The scholarships are in a range of disciplines that address the research needs of earth systems science with a focus on the oceans, which includes research in physics, marine biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, computer science, oceanography, biological sciences and engineering. These opportunities will be based in Cape Town.

Field of Study: Earth Systems Science: Oceans and Climate

Research domains:

• Ocean Physics: Surface ocean physical dynamics of the Southern Ocean, links between fine scale dynamics and large-scale climate sensitivities.
• Ocean Carbon – Climate and CO₂ – The coupling between physics and biogeochemistry that leads to a better understanding of the links between CO₂ and Climate.
• Ocean Biogeochemistry: Phytoplankton primary production in relation to Fe and light availability
• Ocean Iron: Analytical techniques in performing high precision trace metal analysis
• Ocean Bio-optics: Research towards the development of new and improved ocean colour algorithms for the Southern Ocean.
• Computational Oceanography/Numerical Modelling: Evaluating Southern Ocean model simulations using high performance computing, computer skills in model performance, dataset analysis and visualisation.

Type: Masters, Research

Eligibility: 

• An Honours degree in biological sciences, computer science, statistics, oceanography, mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering.
• Basic computer science and coding experience (e.g. Matlab / Python) will be advantageous.
• An understanding of basic statistics for the processing of large datasets will be advantageous.
• Knowledge/familiarity with performing data processing, analysis and visualisation on Matlab or Python beneficial
• Effective communication skills (oral, written and presentation)
• Be independent and able to work under pressure.

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value and Responsibilities of Award: 

• Prepare research proposal to be approved by both the CSIR and the university;
• Prepare a written literature overview of the current state-of-the-art around the research topic;
• Perform original research to solve the open research problem that the student identified in his/her proposal;
• Produce sufficient quantity and quality of peer-reviewed publications around this research topic;
• Compile the Masters’ thesis and defending the work successfully;
• Contribute to extra activities that may be outside the scope of the Masters’ research as per the needs of the research group. The amount of such work shall be limited to 20% of the total time.

How to Apply: Applicants must attach the following documents:

• Copies of academic results for all tertiary education
• CV (highlighting relevant skills and experience) and a cover letter

Should you meet the above requirements, please email your CV to jobapplications@csir.co.za with your name and surname, position title and reference number in the subject line, (eg. Masters Scholarship: Job title: Reference No: (309047)

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: CSIR

Important Notes: PLEASE NOTE THAT FEDBACK WILL BE GIVE TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.