ICT Application Development Internship at CSIR

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) invites dynamic and ambitious graduates to apply for three exciting ICT Internship: Application Development positions based at their Scientia campus in Pretoria, Gauteng. Operating on a structured 24-month fixed-term contract within the ICT Services Portfolio, successful candidates will join the Solution Development department to gain comprehensive hands-on exposure to enterprise business application support and systems development. Candidates will work across cutting-edge ecosystems including Oracle, PeopleSoft, Microsoft, and modern open-source stacks, collaborating with experienced industry mentors to design, develop, test, and maintain resilient, database-driven business automation solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Working under direct technical mentorship and supervision, interns will undertake the following key operational duties:

• Software & Application Development: Develop backend logic using Oracle PL/SQL and SQL for enterprise processes, and assist in building and maintaining Oracle APEX interfaces and modern web applications.

• Integration & APIs: Integrate, configure, and test modular software components using JavaScript, Python, RESTful web services, GraphQL, and SOAP protocols.

• Database Engineering: Design, optimize, and maintain database objects, including complex stored procedures, packages, triggers, views, and data definition scripts.

• Automation & Scripting: Leverage modern scripting frameworks such as PowerShell, Bash/Shell scripting, VBScript, and Power FX to automate routine business workflows and system orchestrations.

• Problem Solving & Incident Management: Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve technical incidents and system service requests within agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

• System Optimization: Analyze existing automated workflows and bespoke software to identify performance bottlenecks and recommend structural system enhancements.

• Code Quality & Governance: Write clean, well-commented code, participate proactively in team code reviews, and produce thorough technical documentation adhering to ICT governance standards.

Estimated Salary Range (Market Benchmark)

The hiring employer has not officially specified a salary for this position. Based on South African market data and industry benchmarks for a corporate IT graduate / administrative intern role, the estimated remuneration is approximately R10,000 – R16,000 per month. Please note that this is an industry estimate and actual remuneration will be determined by the employer based on qualifications, experience, and internal pay structures.

Why Join the Company

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) stands as South Africa's premier technology research and development council. Joining the CSIR offers unprecedented exposure to national-scale digital infrastructure, high-impact innovations, and enterprise-grade enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms. Interns benefit from a hybrid work environment, structured self-study and learning programmes, and internal recognition pathways such as the CSIR Excellence Awards, ensuring a remarkable foundation for a high-growth ICT career.

Application Strategy (Exclusive)

• Highlight Practical Programming Competencies: Specifically structure your technical skills section to match the tech stacks highlighted by CSIR, particularly your practical experience with SQL/PL-SQL, Python, Java, C#, or JavaScript web projects.

• Showcase Portfolio & GitHub Projects: CSIR values guided self-study; provide direct links to your active GitHub repositories or academic projects demonstrating functional databases, APIs, or automated scripting.

• Tailor Your Academic Profile: Ensure your NQF Level 6 diploma or degree transcripts in Computer Science, Informatics, or Software Engineering are neatly compiled, emphasizing subjects related to software architecture and relational database design.

Interview Preparation

To succeed during your panel interview, prepare for technical and logic-based assessments:

• "Can you walk us through how you would optimize a complex SQL query or stored procedure that is causing severe database performance lag?"

• "Describe an end-to-end project where you designed or consumed a RESTful API. What error-handling mechanisms and data validation steps did you implement?"

Candidates can practice answering these technical questions and refine their professional communication using the YouthNextStep Interview Simulator.

How to Apply

All interested applicants must submit their application directly through the official CSIR career recruitment portal. Ensure all transcripts, qualifications, and an up-to-date CV are attached before the closing date of 26 October 2026.

Reference: 315246

Click here to apply for this role

For general inquiries only, you may contact the recruitment team at 📧 [email protected] (please do not send job applications directly to this inquiry mailbox).

• An NQF 6 Diploma in Informatics, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or an equivalent accredited qualification.

• A Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) or Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Informatics will be considered an advantageous asset.

• Demonstrated capability to utilize at least one technology in each specified technology group, and at least three across all groups (Scripting/Automation, Data Objects, Programming Languages, Database Languages, ERP/Workflow Automation, Web Technologies, APIs, or Command Line Languages).

• Solid understanding of relational database management systems and structured query language (SQL).

• Foundational knowledge of PL/SQL programming and database object administration is an added advantage.

• Basic understanding of business fundamentals in human capital management and/or accounting is beneficial.

• Foundational knowledge of software security principles, coding standards, and RESTful API architecture.

• Analytical thinking, active problem-solving skills, and a commitment to guided self-study.

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication abilities in a team environment.