The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation’s work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.
Market Research Specialist (Three-year contract)
About the job:
The CSIR has a vacancy for a Market Research Specialist in the Business Excellence and Integration Portfolio in the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer (IP&TT) Office. The incumbent will conduct market research and co-ordinate the development of related plans, programmes and strategies to help realise value from CSIR IP through commercial markets and societal impact. This position is based in Pretoria.
Key responsibilities:
Develop value propositions, market reports, business plans, proposals, and presentations in respect of technology transfer opportunities based on market research;
Evaluate the technical and business merit of technologies and advise on relevant trends and the appropriate positioning of technologies in terms of IP protection and commercialisation strategies using sound market intelligence;a
Write detailed reports for various internal and external stakeholders including OpCo, ExCo, the CSIR Board, NIPMO, the DSI, and Cluster Executives;
Monitor, track, record and analyse relevant technology trends and provide advice on value for money decisions to the organisation;
Provide a consolidated market-related view of CSIR’s technology disclosures;
Track and analyse the R&D pipeline from technology disclosure to commercialisation and provide relevant intelligence on progress and value add;
Identify/develop and facilitate opportunities for transfer of market research skills and capability to internal stakeholders, both centrally and operationally deployed;
In partnership with the Business Development and Commercialisation teams conduct market research to identify potential commercialisation partners and other major role players such as competitors and technology funders;
Using market data, support the sourcing of opportunities for external organizations to invest in and co-develop technologies;
Support organisation-wide initiatives to market CSIR IP appropriately. Determine market positioning of CSIR IP to assist with the effective promotion of relevant products and services;
Monitor and report on the effectiveness of technology marketing programmes and strategies;
Liaise with Clusters and Business Development and Commercialisation teams to understand key technologies at different stages of development, map their offerings against consumer needs and competitor products, and update information as the technology progresses;
Qualifications, skills and experience:
A bachelor’s degree in marketing or relevant qualification with at least eight years’ experience in conducting market-related research in a commercial setting or in a science council;
An Master of Business Administration (MBA) or similar business qualification will be advantageous;
Project management;
Strong data analysis, data categorisation and data presentation skills;
Strong research and organisational skills;
Sound working knowledge of marketing and communication;
Experience in technology commercialisation;
Ability to understand technologies across a range of disciplines;
Strong insight into innovation and the national system of innovation;
Experience in dealing with a wide variety and different levels of stakeholders;
Strong people skills and excellent team player;
Negotiation skills;
Strong English communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills;
Strategic thinking skills;
Ability to blend business insights with market information and to understand the intersection of technology and related markets;
Strong computer skills;
All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
Closing date: 21 June 2024
PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.
For more info, please email us at Recruitment@csir.co.za. 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 of 1998. 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. 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.
