Overview
RESEARCHER Jobs in Johannesburg at University Of The Witwatersrand
- A MasterÂ’s degree or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, Software Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
- Strong programming skills in Python and experience with modern machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.
- Experience building and maintaining machine learning pipelines and data workflows.
- Experience working with large-scale scientific or geospatial datasets.
- Experience with high-performance computing environments, GPU clusters, or cloud platforms (e.g., GCP, AWS, or similar).
- Experience using version control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative software development practices.
- Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary research teams.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to reproducibility and reliability in scientific computing workflows.
- Experience in one or more of the following areas will be advantageous:
- MLOps and machine learning infrastructure
- Distributed training of deep learning models
- Geospatial data processing and climate datasets
- Containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes
- Weather or climate modelling systems
- Forecast verification or climate data analytics
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain machine learning infrastructure and pipelines supporting the FineCast research programme.
- Build scalable workflows for training, evaluating, and deploying AI-based weather and climate forecasting models.
- Manage and process large meteorological and climate datasets, including satellite data, reanalysis products, and observational station data.
- Support the training and fine-tuning of global AI weather prediction models using regional datasets.
- Implement systems for experiment tracking, reproducibility, and model versioning in machine learning research.
- Develop tools and infrastructure supporting forecast verification and model benchmarking.
- Support the integration of weather forecasting outputs with climate risk modelling and analytics workflows developed within the SchoolÂ’s research programme.
- Contribute to the development of open-source software and research tools produced by the project.
- Work closely with researchers and postgraduate students to translate research ideas into scalable and reliable machine learning systems.
Only applicants who meet the minimum requirements should apply by submitting a letter of motivation that includes experience in climate modelling, a statement of research interests, and an outline of future research plans, full Curriculum Vitae (CV) and names and contact details of at least three referees.
External applicants are invited to apply, by registering their profile on the Wits i-recruitment platform located at https://irec.wits.ac.za and submitting their application. Internal employees are invited to apply directly on Oracle by following the path: iWits /Self Service application/” Apply for a job”.
Correspondence will be entered into with shortlisted candidates only. Short-listed applicants must be available for a personal or MS Teams/Zoom interview.
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment and continue searching after the closing date, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Closing date: 15 May 2026
Informal inquires may be directed Prof Rendani Mbuvha [email protected]
By applying for this post the applicant acknowledges that their personal information will be processed by the University. The Applicant, by their conduct in proceeding with an application for this position, gives their consent to the processing of their personal information as required by the UniversityÂ’s Recruitment, Selection and Appointment Policy. Such processing includes logging their information on the UniversityÂ’s recruitment systems, conducting necessary background and reference checks including disciplinary and/or criminal records, and disclosing their personal information to university employees identified to take part in the selection and recruitment process. The Applicant consents to any processing of their personal information as may be required. The confidentiality of the Applicant’s personal information will be maintained.
Wits is committed to excellence and equity
The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University. The University retains the right not to make an appointment and to verify all information provided by candidates.
Please note that correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise.
Title: RESEARCHER
Company: University Of The Witwatersrand
Location: Johannesburg
