LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (Atmospheric chemistry)
Listing reference: nwu_001336
Listing status: Closed
Apply by: 21 December 2022
Position summary
Industry: Education & Training
Job category: University and Academy
Location: North West
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
Remuneration: The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines
About our company
NWU
Introduction
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS) FACULTY/ DIVISION: FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES VACANCY: LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (Atmospheric chemistry) PEROMNES GRADE: 11 EMPLOYMENT TYPE: TEMP FIXED TERM PURPOSE OF THE POSITION To operate the atmospheric chemistry analytical laboratory
Job description
- General book- and housekeeping in the laboratory (e.g. ordering consumable and standard solutions)
- Performing administrative functions relating to passive, aerosol and rain samples (dispatching of samples, receiving of exposed samples and accurate bookkeeping)
- Conducting basic technical maintenance on analytical and laboratory equipment
- Conducting the analysis of passive samples, aerosol samples, precipitation samples and other natural waterbody (e.g., rivers) samples with ion chromatography, uv-vis spectroscopy, OC/EC and TD-GC-MS analytical instrument
- Be involved in the preparation of passive samplers and aerosol filters
- Data processing of analytical results with Excel
- Keeping databases up to date for precipitation samples, passive samples and aerosol samples
- Advanced processing of results (e.g. MATLAB programming)
- Compiling scientific reports – involvement in data sets analysis and scientific output publishing. Enrol for postgraduate study in Atmospheric Chemistry
- Participate in the bi-annual WMO GAW laboratory inter-comparison studies
KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:
- Knowledge of OC/EC analysis, ion chromatography and uv-vis spectroscopy specifically used to analyse environmental samples
- Knowledge of atmospheric chemistry research
- Ability to apply theoretical knowledge within an analytical science environment
- Knowledge of passive sampling field measurements of atmospheric species and analysis
- Knowledge of precipitation chemistry and WMO guidelines for sampling and analysis of rain samples
- Knowledge of aerosol sampling and analysis
- MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint proficient
- Computer programming skills
- Strong analytical skills
- Good problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication skills within the scientific community through presentations and publications
- Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
- Ability to learn and apply new skills quickly
- Good administrative, planning and coordinating skills
- Demonstration of language proficiency in order to function optimally in the various multilingual environments of the NWU.
KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
· Highly motivated
· Be a team-player
· Work well under pressure and independently
· Adaptable, eager to learn
· Dependable
· Good interpersonal skills
· Attention to detail
Minimum requirements
· BSc. Honours in Chemistry (Atmospheric Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry)
· MSC. In Chemistry (Atmospheric Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry) - desirable
· 3 years’ experience in higher education research and training
· 3 years’ experience in working in an analytical laboratory
· 3 years’ experience in in working with ion chromatography and OC/EC analyser to analyse atmospheric and other environmental samples
· 3 years’ experience in data processing
· 3 years’ experience in writing scientific reports
· 3 years’ experience in compiling standard operating procedures
· 3 years’ experience in working with mathematical programming (MATLAB) - desirable
The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Prof P van Zyl – 018 299 2353
Or Dr K Jaars - 018 299 2337
ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Ms Mpumi Mqina – 018 285 2009
CLOSING DATE: 21 December 2022
PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: 01 January 2023 or as soon as possible
Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website.
Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.