CSIR Doctoral Studentships 2025

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is inviting students from South Africa to apply for the Doctoral Studentship for the 2025 academic year.

Application Closing: 10 October 2024

Location: Scientia, Pretoria

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Doctoral Studentship: Open RAN in 5G Networks and Beyond in the Spectrum Access and Management Innovation (SAMI) research group, under the Networked Systems and Applications impact area, within the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for undertaking original research and development in open RAN in 5G networks and beyond. This position is based in Pretoria.

For more information about the cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/nextgen-enterprises-and-institutions.

Research areas:

• Open radio access networks
• 5G mobile networks and beyond
• Dynamic spectrum access
• Intelligent RAN slicing
• RAN virtualisation
• Efficient radio resource management
• Cloud and Edge Computing
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in wireless networks
• Wireless applications with focus on radio access modelling for heterogeneous wireless networks Deep Learning/Machine Learning.
• Working from low frequencies through millimetre and terahertz waves to optical frequencies.
• Our research and development activities include Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA), spectrum sharing, distributed spectrum sensing and monitoring, signal processing, electromagnetic compatibility and digital inclusion.

Key responsibilities:

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

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master’s degree in electronic/telecommunication/computer engineering, computer science, or a related/relevant field;
• Register for a Doctoral qualification within the South African university (to be agreed upon with the CSIR co-supervisor);
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report/certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA);
• Must have a strong background in computer/telecommunications networks, such as the OSI Model, wireless and mobile communication networks (e.g. 4G and 5G)
• Knowledge of digital signal processing and/or pattern recognition and/or machine learning and/or artificial intelligence;
• Working knowledge of related programming languages such as Matlab, Octave, Python, Java, and C++ and the Linux operating system;
• Must have confidence in mathematical modelling and evaluation both analytically and in computer simulation;
• Must have experience in software development for experimentation and computer simulation with a hands-on approach;
• Good understanding of the scientific method: design of experiments, running experiments, critical analysis of results, and dissemination of knowledge.
• Good communication skills (verbal and written) and ability to interact efficiently with diverse teams of people; and
• A good peer-reviewed publication record will be advantageous.

How to apply

Click here to apply online for CSIR Doctoral Studentships 2025

Applicants must attach the following documents:

• A cover letter (maximum two pages) including a description of the applicant’s research interests, the problem statement, research statement or question(s), research objectives and expected outputs/outcomes/impact of the research;
• Certified copies of the applicant’s latest academic results or transcript;
• Certified copies of tertiary qualifications;
• Curriculum vitae;
• If applicable, proof of registration from the university or a confirmation letter from the university supervisor that she/he is willing to be involved in the candidate supervision; and
• A recommendation letter would be advantageous.