The SARAO graduate programme for 2027 closes today, Monday 21 September 2026. If you are an engineering, IT or science graduate — or in your final year — this is one of the most substantial graduate programmes in South Africa. If you qualify, apply today rather than later this evening, as online portals often slow down close to a deadline.
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory is the national facility behind MeerKAT and South Africa’s role in the Square Kilometre Array. Its Graduate In-Training Programme places recent graduates on real projects for three years, with mentorship and financial support towards a part-time Master’s degree.
SARAO Graduate Programme 2027: Key Details
- Programme: 2027 SARAO Graduate-in-Training Recruitment Programme
- Closing date: Monday, 21 September 2026
- Duration: 3 years
- Start date: 1 March 2027
- Locations: Cape Town (Western Cape), Karoo Support Base at Klerefontein (Northern Cape), and Hartebeesthoek (Gauteng)
- Who can apply: South African citizens who have completed, or are in the final year of, a qualifying degree
Who Is Eligible
SARAO is recruiting South African citizens who have completed, or are in the final year of studies in, one of the following:
- BSc / BSc Eng / B-Tech / Advanced Diploma in Software, Computer Science or Data
- BEng / BSc Eng Mechanical or Mechatronic
- BEng / B-Tech Eng Electrical or Electronic
- BEng Civil Engineering
- Honours Degree in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management
- Honours Degree in Cybersecurity, Information Security, Computer Science, Information Systems or Computer Engineering
Note that final-year students can apply now. You do not need to have graduated already, as the programme starts in March 2027.
It is also worth noticing that Advanced Diplomas and B-Tech qualifications are accepted in several streams. Many graduate programmes accept only degrees, so this one is open to a wider group than most.
What the SARAO Graduate Programme Offers
According to SARAO, participants benefit from:
- Mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals throughout the training period
- Project involvement in SARAO’s ongoing work, applying what you studied to real initiatives
- Skill development through workshops, seminars and hands-on activities, covering technical and soft skills
- Networking with experts, peers and industry leaders
- Career growth, including a pathway to potential employment within SARAO or elsewhere in the field
Financial support for a Master’s degree
One of the standout features: SARAO offers financial assistance to graduates who register for a part-time Master’s degree at a South African university while on the programme. Over three years, that can mean finishing with both work experience and a postgraduate qualification.
The Kind of Work Involved
Graduates may work across engineering, data science, software development and project management, in the context of radio astronomy and related technologies. The programme is designed to bridge the gap between academic study and real-world application — which is exactly the gap most graduates struggle to close on their own.
How to Apply for the SARAO Graduate Programme
- Go to the SARAO graduate training opportunities page.
- Click through to the online application form and complete it in full.
- Submit before Monday, 21 September 2026.
Shortlisted candidates must complete a mandatory online assessment as part of the selection process. Keep an eye on your email, including spam, after applying.
For enquiries or help with the application, SARAO asks applicants to email gitrecruitment@sarao.ac.za.
Be Ready to Relocate
Successful graduates are placed at one of three sites. Hartebeesthoek is in Gauteng, but the Karoo Support Base at Klerefontein is in the Northern Cape, near the remote MeerKAT site. Think through whether you can relocate before you apply — it is a three-year commitment.
Other Opportunities Open Now
Graduate programmes are competitive, so apply widely. See our guide on how to find a WIL host employer if you still need workplace experience to finish your qualification, and browse funding for further study on our Bursaries page.
SARAO applications are free. No legitimate graduate programme charges an application fee — if you are asked to pay, it is a scam. Our guide to spotting job scams covers the warning signs.
Details on this page were taken from SARAO’s official website on 17 September 2026. Always confirm against the official listing before applying. We are not SARAO and do not receive or process applications.