CSIR High-Paying Careers & Internships | No Experience Jobs

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) offers a variety of internship programmes for unemployed South African graduates to gain practical experience in cutting-edge scientific research, technological development, and innovation. The 2025 internship opportunities are available across multiple clusters and research groups, including the HySA and CCU research group under the Chemicals Cluster, Indigenous Knowledge Systems Programme within the Advanced Agriculture and Food Cluster, Finance, and Data Science within the National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System (NICIS).

The CSIR offers internship programs , graduate opportunities , and full-time career roles for individuals passionate about contributing to cutting-edge research and development. These opportunities are ideal for students, graduates, and professionals seeking experience in fields such as science, engineering, IT, finance, human resources, communications, and more .

Internships and careers at the CSIR provide exposure to groundbreaking research, state-of-the-art facilities, and collaborative projects with government, academia, and industry partners. The organization emphasizes mentorship, professional development, and fostering an innovative work environment.

Popular Internship and Career Roles at CSIR

The CSIR promotes diversity, prioritizing youth (18–35), women, people with disabilities, and designated groups (Black, Coloured, Indian candidates) under its Employment Equity Plan.

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Common internship roles suitable for minimal or no experience include:

• Systems Administrator Intern: Supports ICT infrastructure and end-user services (e.g., Centre for High Performance Computing, Cape Town).

• Research Intern (SET): Assists in experiments and data analysis in fields like Photonics or Cybersecurity (e.g., Pretoria).

• Financial Services Intern: Aids in payroll or bursary administration (e.g., Pretoria).

• Administrative Intern: Handles data entry and project coordination.

• Communications Intern: Supports science communication and stakeholder engagement.

Salaries and Stipends for CSIR Internships and Careers

CSIR internships offer competitive, tax-free stipends, reflecting South Africa’s cost of living in urban centers like Pretoria and Cape Town. Below are approximate stipend ranges for 2025, based on regional trends and similar programs:

• Systems Administrator Intern: R6,000–R8,500 per month (approx. R72,000–R102,000 annually).

• Research Intern (SET): R6,000–R9,000 per month (approx. R72,000–R108,000 annually).

• Financial Services Intern: R5,000–R7,500 per month (approx. R60,000–R90,000 annually).

• Administrative Intern: R4,500–R6,500 per month (approx. R54,000–R78,000 annually).

• Communications Intern: R4,500–R6,500 per month (approx. R54,000–R78,000 annually).

These estimates align with stipends for similar roles (e.g., DWS at R7,450.67/month) and adjust for the CSIR’s research context. Stipends vary by role and are paid for the 12-month duration. Benefits include mentorship, access to cutting-edge facilities, and networking opportunities, but typically exclude health insurance or paid leave due to the temporary nature of internships.

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Requirements for CSIR Internships and Careers

CSIR internships target unemployed graduates with minimal qualifications. General requirements include:

Education:

• • Systems Administrator/Research Intern (SET): Bachelor’s Degree (NQF 7) in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related SET disciplines, completed within the last two years.

  • Financial Services/Administrative/Communications Intern: National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree (NQF 6–7) in Financial Management, Business Administration, Communications, or related fields, completed within the last two years.

  • International qualifications require a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation certificate.

Experience: No prior work experience required (<6 months). Academic projects or volunteer work is advantageous. On-the-job training provided (e.g., research protocols, ICT systems).

How to Apply for CSIR Internships and Careers

Application Process

1. Visit Official Portals:

   • CSIR Careers Portal: www.csir.co.za (navigate to “Careers” for internship listings).