South African Radio Astronomy Observatory - SARAO

South African Radio Astronomy Observatory - SARAO Official page of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, a facility of the NRF

South Africa's involvement in the Square Kilometre Array project is a multifaceted project involving building the MeerKAT array, getting ready to host components of the SKA and equipping young people with the skills and expertise that they will need to drive these projects in future.

20/06/2026

[Announcement]

Call for applications: SARAO Freestanding Postdoctoral Fellowships for 2027

READ the application guide for SARAO Postdoctoral Fellowships for 2027

Submission Deadlines

Call Opening Date: 01 June 2026
Applicant Closing Date: 31 August 2026
Designated Authority (DA) Closing Date: 14 September 2026

Should you have any questions regarding the call, please contact: [email protected]

Read more
https://www.sarao.ac.za/applications-for-sarao-freestanding-postdoctoral-fellowships-for-2027-is-now-open/

SARAO, Digiskills Africa launches third cohort to strengthen Africa’s future workforceSARAO and DigiSkills Africa has la...
20/06/2026

SARAO, Digiskills Africa launches third cohort to strengthen Africa’s future workforce

SARAO and DigiSkills Africa has launched its third pan-African Digital Transformation Programme cohort, bringing together participants from across the continent to develop the capabilities needed for Africa’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

Led by SARAO in partnership with InnoGlobal, and supported by the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Embassy of Ireland to South Africa, and government partners in Ghana and Kenya, the initiative addresses one of Africa’s most pressing development challenges: ensuring workforce capability keeps pace with technological and industrial transformation.

📎 https://sarao.ac.za/?p=43084

10 Years of Human Capacity Development in Big Data and Data Science Report SARAO is celebrating 10 years of human capaci...
20/06/2026

10 Years of Human Capacity Development in Big Data and Data Science Report

SARAO is celebrating 10 years of human capacity development in Big Data and Data Science. Since 2015, the Big Data Africa programme has provided training to young Africans based at universities in South Africa and the eight SKA Africa partner countries. Read the 10 Years of Human Capacity Development in Big Data and Data Science report.

This report highlights SARAO’s training and capacity development initiatives in data science / Big Data carried out over the past ten years. Through a broader vision for human capacity development, SARAO’s Big Data Africa programme has not only focussed on data science capacity development in radio astronomy but the building of data science capacity in complementary, data-intensive research areas encompassing thematic areas in biomedical / health imaging and Earth observation / agriculture.

SARAO’s training and capacity development initiatives have targeted individuals having various skills levels in data science and data analysis from beginners to individuals having more advanced skills. Initiatives have additionally included events that create awareness of career opportunities in technology sectors. By targeting individuals at all skills levels, SARAO has successfully developed a Big Data Africa programme that is inclusive to young African scientists and engineers at various stages of their career journeys.

The report highlights the active role SARAO has been playing to ensure inclusivity and diversity in its training initiatives through targeted interventions for promoting women in data science and engagement with the historically disadvantaged universities. Positive outcomes from these interventions have been observed with a notable increase in the participation of women and students from HDIs in more recent training and development initiatives carried out by SARAO and its partners.

Read the 10 Years of Human Capacity Development in Big Data and Data Science report

https://www.sarao.ac.za/about/impact/big-data-and-data-science-report/

20/06/2026

We are hiring!

Vacant Position - System Analyst (Re-advertisement)

Apply online: https://www.sarao.ac.za/job/system-analyst/



The people of SARAO (South African Radio Astronomy Observatory) are a diverse team of highly skilled professionals dedicated to designing, building, and operating world-class radio telescopes.

This team is composed of:

- Scientists and Astronomers who use the telescopes to conduct cutting-edge research, studying everything from distant galaxies and pulsars to the origins of the universe.

- Engineers (including software, electrical, mechanical, and data engineers) who are responsible for designing, constructing, and maintaining the incredibly complex hardware and software systems that make the telescopes work.

- Data Scientists and Technicians who manage and process the immense volumes of data (petabytes) that the telescopes collect.

- Project Managers and Support Staff who oversee the operations, international collaborations, and the facility's extensive human capital development programs, which aim to train the next generation of scientists and engineers in Africa.

[Announcement]Request for Quotations - Work with SARAOThe South African Radio Astronomy Observatory invites all credible...
20/06/2026

[Announcement]

Request for Quotations - Work with SARAO

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory invites all credible suppliers for quotations for the supply and delivery goods and services.

Here you can download & view Request for Quotations:

Available Request For Quotations

IMPORTANT: The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory will never contact a service provider to request money for any tender, formal quotations, or quotations.

Read more
https://www.sarao.ac.za/request-for-quotations/

[Announcement]Celebrating National Science Month Science, technology and innovation are for everyone!National Science...
19/06/2026

[Announcement]

Celebrating National Science Month





Science, technology and innovation are for everyone!

National Science Month, an expansion of National Science Week, gives individuals and institutions a focused opportunity to interest South Africans in science, technology and innovation and show how they affect our lives.

We are calling everyone – science councils, industry, universities, schools, TVET colleges, and government departments from across the country – to join us and demonstrate their connection to science, technology and innovation

How to participate
Participation in National Science Month is voluntary, inclusive and flexible. We encourage creativity and self-driven activities, allowing everyone to contribute in line with their own interests and resources. For some ideas on how to get involved in your own way, please refer to the NSM Framework document.

Join the movement
National Science Month is more than a celebration of science; it is a national movement to bring science closer to society:
• Get involved. Lead an activity.
• Make an impact where you are, with what you have.
• Inspire others.

Register your activities
Ensure that your contribution is recognised and counted by downloading SEIMS Events App and registering your planned activities HERE.

TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A SCIENCE-AWARE, SCIENCE-LITERATE SOCIETY FOR A BETTER FUTURE!

Read more
https://www.sarao.ac.za/national-science-month/

19/06/2026

[Announcement]

Call for applications: SARAO Freestanding Honours Scholarships for 2027

Call for applications for SARAO Freestanding Honours Scholarships for 2027 is now open

Download Application Guide for SARAO Honours Scholarships for 2027 (pdf)

Submission Deadlines

Call Opening Date: 01 June 2026
Applicant Closing Date: 14 August 2026

Read more
https://www.sarao.ac.za/sarao-honours-scholarships-for-2027/

[Announcement]SARAO has posted new request for quotations (RFQ’s)The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory invites a...
19/06/2026

[Announcement]

SARAO has posted new request for quotations (RFQ’s)

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory invites all credible suppliers for quotations for the supply and delivery goods and services.

View available request for quotations

Read more
https://www.sarao.ac.za/request-for-information-rfqs/

19/06/2026

We are hiring!

Vacant Position - Contracts Scheduler (Readvertisement)

Apply online: https://www.sarao.ac.za/job/contracts-scheduler/



The people of SARAO (South African Radio Astronomy Observatory) are a diverse team of highly skilled professionals dedicated to designing, building, and operating world-class radio telescopes.

This team is composed of:

- Scientists and Astronomers who use the telescopes to conduct cutting-edge research, studying everything from distant galaxies and pulsars to the origins of the universe.

- Engineers (including software, electrical, mechanical, and data engineers) who are responsible for designing, constructing, and maintaining the incredibly complex hardware and software systems that make the telescopes work.

- Data Scientists and Technicians who manage and process the immense volumes of data (petabytes) that the telescopes collect.

- Project Managers and Support Staff who oversee the operations, international collaborations, and the facility's extensive human capital development programs, which aim to train the next generation of scientists and engineers in Africa.

[Announcement]Call for applications: SARAO Freestanding Doctoral Scholarships for 2027Call for SARAO Doctoral Scholarshi...
19/06/2026

[Announcement]

Call for applications: SARAO Freestanding Doctoral Scholarships for 2027

Call for SARAO Doctoral Scholarships for 2027 is now open

READ the application guide for SARAO Freestanding Doctoral Scholarships for 2027

Submission Deadlines

Call Opening Date: 01 June 2026
Applicant Closing Date: 31 August 2026

Should you have any questions regarding the call, please contact: [email protected]

Read more
https://www.sarao.ac.za/sarao-doctoral-scholarships-for-2027-is-now-open/

Address

SARAO, Liesbeek House, River Park, Gloucester Road, Mowbray
Observatory
7700

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27215067300

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when South African Radio Astronomy Observatory - SARAO posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to South African Radio Astronomy Observatory - SARAO:

Shortcuts

Share