NWU

NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS) FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES POSITION NUMBER: P001365 VACANCY: SENIOR LABORATORY TECHNICIAN PEROMNES GRADE: 10 EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT PURPOSE OF THE POSITION The main purpose of this position is to assist the Director of the School of Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer sciences in the day-to-day running of the Physiology practical laboratories. The successful candidate will be responsible for: The management of undergraduate practical laboratories; Ensuring that practical sessions comply with the rules of the ethics committee and health and safety standards; Preparation of laboratories and necessary reagents for practical lessons; Supervision and organisation of all practical lessons in collaboration with lecturers; Training of practical demonstrators before undergraduate practical lessons commence each semester; Liaising with staff members on the Mafikeng and Vaal campus and assist with their laboratory needs.

•    Provide information to staff and students at the beginning of the year about planning of practical lessons as well as safety measures during the execution of practical lessons.
•    Drawing up practical timetables and managing group divisions.
•    Administration of student reports, practical examination, and practical marks.
•    Supply information to laboratory assistant about preparation to be done for the next practical.
•    Preparing of laboratories and providing support to demonstrators or lecturers throughout the course of practical lessons.
•    Responsible for providing first aid and reporting health and safely related incidents.
•    Removal of chemical and medical waste

•    Compile budget for capital expenses for equipment and disposable items.
•    Budget for maintenance of laboratory equipment for practicals.
•    Acquisition of capital items.
•    Acquisition of reagents and other items required for practicals.
•    Management of all practical assets and asset registers

•    Manage tasks of demonstrators for practicals.
•    Training (practical and health and safety training) of demonstrators and new academic staff.

•    Organisation and management of inventory.

•    Research possible new practical equipment/experiments/practices for existing or newly planned practicals

•   Organisation and management of storerooms.
•   Keep the health and safety and consent documents up to date.
•   Managing laboratory coats needed for practicals.
•   Any other tasks assigned by the line manager related to the main functions of the position.
•   Ensure health and safety procedures are up to date and comply with all standards set.

•  A BSc OR a BTech in Biological Sciences or Laboratory Sciences with speciality in Human Biology or Human Physiology

•  A minimum of 2 years’ work experience in acquisition and financial planning for a laboratory.
• A minimum of 2 years’ laboratory management experience.

•  First aid experience is desirable.

•  Computer literacy (MS Office, Google Tools, Sakai, Outlook, LabStation).
•  Excellent administrative capabilities.
• Occupational health and safety awareness.
•  Meticulous attention to detail.
•  Excellent written and oral communication skills.
•  The ability to keep detailed records.
•  Experience and technical skills with the preparing and handling of chemicals and reagents.
•  Experience and technique with handling laboratory equipment (microscopes, centrifuges, pipettes, water baths. spectrophotometers)
•  Proficient computer skills (Microsoft, cloud software such as Google Drive, student communications platforms such as eFundi or SAKAI)

•  Must be able to work individually and as part of a team.
•  Must be able to lead a team and therefore have good human relations and communication skills and excellent time management.
•  Academic integrity and ethical conduct are of the utmost importance.
•  Reliability and punctuality are essential.
•  Able to function from a trust perspective.
•  Adherence to the protection of personal information act policies and procedures