SAAO Summer Learnerships Application 2021, How to apply for SAAO Summer Learnerships programme, requirements, eligibility, and application closing date 2021-2022.
Are you a student looking for Learnerships in South Africa 2021? Application is invited from suitably and qualifies applicants for the SAAO Summer Learnership program 2021. Learn about the process you’ll take to complete the application below.
SAAO Summer Learnerships Application 2021
Ready to apply to SAAO Summer Learnerships? Here on Southafricaportal.com, you get all information regarding the SAAO Summer leadership application form, how to apply online, requirements, and the application closing date 2021.
Learnerships are a great opportunity if you want to learn skills and develop a career. Learnerships for 2021 are opening now and we always have details on the latest available Learnerships for you.
When you register for a Learnership Programme you will receive training towards a full qualification but you don’t have to pay study fees. In fact, when you register for a Learnership you will be paid in the form of a stipend. This means you will be paid monthly while you are on the leadership – the amount you will be paid depends on the academic level of the Learnership.
SAAO Summer Learnerships Programme Details
Interested applicants can apply for the SAAO Summer Learnership 2021 provided they qualify and meet the program requirements.
South African Astronomical Observatory offers Summer Projects for students with Python knowledge and experienc
Duration: ~8 weeks, starting mid-January 2021
Payment: R6000 – R8000 per month depending on qualification.
Eligibility: see individual project descriptions below, must be SA citizen or permanent resident
Location: see individual project descriptions below – could be Cape Town (Observatory), Sutherland or remote work.
Asking questions: is encouraged! Please get in touch with the researchers offering the projects if you have any questions.
PROJECT 1: Optical spectroscopy of a Be X-ray binary in a supernova remnant
We have reduced optical spectra of an interesting Be X-ray binary in a supernova remnant taken with the SALT telescope. You will create plots of the spectra of both the Be X-ray binary and the supernovae remnant and will identify spectral lines, and make some measurements from these lines. You will need a working knowledge of Python and matplotlib (Python plotting package). Suitable for second year undergraduate up to honours student.
PROJECT 2: Development of a vacuum table for the high-precision manufacture of radiation shields for CERN
The project will entail some mecha-tronics development of a vacuum table to assist with the capturing of parts during high-precision machining on a 5-axis CNC machine. The material required is a polymer with radiation characteristics suitable for use as shields to be used on an energy experiment at the CERN particle accelerator.
The student will assist with the design and construction of this equipment.
An undergraduate or Master’s student in the field of electrical or mecha-tronic engineering is ideal.
PROJECT 3: Deriving optical light curves and searching for periods in new X-ray binaries
During 2020 we have observed several newly discovered close binary stars which emit X-rays from a compact accreting object, typically a fast spinning (10-100s sec) white dwarf or neutron star. The project involves reducing CCD images to determine their light curves and then using period finding techniques to produce power spectra and hopefully determining the spin and orbital periods and looking for other features, like quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs). Existing computer code is available for these tasks, but the project could involve using other techniques. Some experience with Python would be an advantage, but not mandatory.
PROJECT 4: Measuring the motions of gas in galaxies
Studying the gas and star formation of nearby galaxies is extremely important in understanding how galaxies like our own Milky Way change with time. This project will involve analyzing spectral line observations of galaxies to determine how the gas moves and how much star formation there is in these galaxies. You will need some basic programming skills (preferably in Python) and during the project you will perform the analysis using Python and existing software (depending on your Python skill level). The project is aimed for second year undergraduate to Honours level students.
PROJECT 5: Space velocities of X-ray binaries with GAIA
The newly released GAIA EDR3 provides us with updated distances and proper motions for almost 1.5 billion stars! We’d like to look at the proper motions of a sample of Be X-ray binaries in our neighbouring galaxy, the Small Magellanic Cloud. Our aim is to use these new measurements to constrain the kick velocities that were imparted to these Be X-ray binaries during the supernova explosion that formed them. This project will entail looking up data in an online catalogue, plotting histograms, and learning about neutron star kick velocities. Some experience in Python may be useful, but is not required. Suitable for a student who has completed second year, or above.
PROJECT 6: In Search of low-mass companions (planets?) around BL Her variables
Recently we have obtained interesting clues about the presence of low-mass companions and possible hints of the presence of exoplanets around a sample of pulsating stars called BL Her stars. The pulsation of these stars can be used in the pulsation timing method to look for the Light Travel Time Effect (LTTE). This method has been successfully applied to other pulsating variable stars (e.g delta scuti stars) to look for planets or companions around them. In this project we will use the OGLE time series data to analyse the Observed – Calculated (O-C) curve and look for variability that could be linked to the presence of a potential companion(s) or planet(s) in these systems. Some experience in Python may be useful.
- Send the following to [email protected](link sends e-mail) with the subject line Summer 2021 by 18 December 2020:
- your academic transcripts
- a short motivation (~½ – 1 A4 page) explaining why you’d like to work at SAAO.
- Please list which project(s) you’d like to work on, in order of preference.
PROJECT 1: Optical spectroscopy of a Be X-ray binary in a supernova remnant
Contact person: Vanessa McBride
Email: [email protected](link sends e-mail)
PROJECT 2: Development of a vacuum table for the high-precision manufacture of radiation shields for CERN
Contact person: Pieter Swanefelder
Email: [email protected](link sends e-mail)
PROJECT 3: Deriving optical light curves and searching for periods in new X-ray binaries
Contact person: David Buckley
Email: [email protected](link sends e-mail)
PROJECT 4: Measuring the motions of gas in galaxies
Contact person: Moses Mogotsi
Email: [email protected](link sends e-mail)
PROJECT 5: Space velocities of X-ray binaries with GAIA
Contact person: Vanessa McBride or David Buckley
Email: [email protected](link sends e-mail), [email protected](link sends e-mail)
PROJECT 6: In Search of low-mass companions (planets?) around BL Her variables
Contact Person: Rajeev Manick
Email: [email protected](link sends e-mail)
Overview of Learnership Programmes in South Africa 2021
What is a Learnership
A Learnership is a work-based learning programme. This means that classroom studies at a college or training center are combined with practical on-the-job experience. We learn much better when we can practice what we have been taught in the classroom in a workplace environment.
By physically performing tasks that are learned in the classroom at the workplace, we can see what we have learned and what we did not understand. This allows us to ask the trainer to explain that part of the lesson again until we fully understand it.
Learnerships form part of a nationally recognized qualification that is directly linked to an occupation. This means that what you learn on leadership is not just for the particular job that you can get once you have finished the leadership; it also forms part of a higher qualification that you can study further through other Learnership or short courses.
Each leadership has a specific level of qualification. An artisan like a bricklayer or a beautician, for instance, is a Level 4 Qualification. This means that if you want to become an artisan you will have to complete 4 four separate leadership (levels 1, 2, 3 & 4). There is no set time-frame in which you have to do these, as each level qualification remains in the system and will count towards the full qualification.
Who Benefits From Learnerships
In short, everybody!
The Learner:
- You get access to free learning and better job opportunities
- Can earn while you learn
- Learnerships can help you to get into the workplace and/or get a formal qualification
The Employer:
- Gets skilled, experienced workers who will need less supervision
- Gets improved productivity
- Can identify and solve gaps in skills and training
- Educates and empowers employees, creating a happy workforce
The Industry:
- Gets access to far more skilled and professional workers
- Can develop employees to world-class standards
- Becomes more competitive in the international market
How Do Learnerships Work
In the past, the education given in schools and other education facilities did not really have much in common with the working world. This meant that people entered the workplace with all of the knowledge but none of the practical experience on how to do the job.
Learnerships teach both the why and how to by creating a contract between the learner, the learning provider, and the organization or business. All learnership contracts must be registered with the Sector Education Training Authority (SETA) for that specific industry, which guarantees that the learnership programme is of a high standard.
If accepted into a learnership you will have to sign two legal contracts; a Learnership Agreement and an Employment Contract. The Learnership Agreement tells you exactly what responsibilities you, the training provider and the employer have. The Employment Contract is only for the period of the learnership. Learnerships last between 12 -24 months.
If you are unemployed, you will receive an allowance while you are on a learnership which is meant to cover costs like travel and food. If you are already employed you will only receive your normal salary.
During the learnership you will spend a certain period of time in a classroom, either at the company or organization or at other premises, and the rest of the time actually working and learning on the job at the company. It is important that you take advantage of the opportunity offered you to develop your skills, gain experience and grow your potential. from zainfo.co.za, A learnership is the perfect way to show the trainers and the organization what you know, as it could lead to a permanent job with that company or organisation, so take your learnership seriously.
You will be expected to do certain written and practical tasks while on the learnership as part of your studies. Learnerships are outcomes-based, which means that you will be assessed (tested) on what you have learned through the various stages of the learnership, not only at the end of it.
You will get an official certificate that will state the qualification, and indicate the area in which you have developed skills during the learnership if you are considered to be competent at the end of it. This qualification is nationally recognized.
Completing a learnership is not a guarantee of employment, but many learners do get employed by companies or organizations where they did their learnerships. Even if that company does not employ you, you stand a much better chance of getting employed with a learnership qualification than without one.
Who Qualifies for a Learnership
Learnerships are designed for all levels and as such is open to anyone between the ages of 16 and 60. This includes the unemployed and the employed, the able-bodied and the disabled.
How Does One Get Access to a Learnership
Decide in which line you want to study and either speak to your employer or contact your nearest Labour Centre or Provincial Office of the Department of Labour to find out whether there are any learnerships that you can apply for.
Some learnerships have certain conditions, such as only accepting learners who have a Grade 12, speak more than 1 language, or have computer skills, for instance. Other learnerships do not have any requirements.
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