Numerical simulations using a finite volume method with primitive variables formulation are presented for a natural convection flow in the Czochralski melt. In the limit of very small Prandtl numbers it is shown that unsteadiness appears in the form of regular oscillations for sufficiently high values of the Rayleigh number. Such regular oscillations are preceded by a multicell motion structure in the melt, with flow separation at the wall. The critical value of the Rayleigh number for the onset of the oscillations is determined by carrying out a series of time dependent calculations.