PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Laboratory management

• Manage and support daily laboratory and analytical operations.
• Coordinate project-related laboratory activities and operational support.
• Coordinate maintenance, troubleshooting, and utilisation of specialised analytical equipment.
• Manage laboratory consumables, chemical inventories, and related administration.
• Support operational continuity within research and externally funded project activities.

OHS

• Support and maintain laboratory OHS processes and compliance requirements.
• Assist with hazardous chemical management, MSDS control, and laboratory risk assessments.
• Promote safe laboratory practices within research, student, and project-related activities.

Chemicals and consumables

• Coordinate laboratory consumables, chemical inventories, and stock control activities.
• Support procurement and availability of chemicals and laboratory consumables for research and project activities.
• Ensure appropriate handling, storage, and documentation of laboratory chemicals and related materials.

Training

• Support and guide students and researchers in the use of laboratory equipment and experimental procedures.
• Assist with training on laboratory methods, analytical techniques, and safe laboratory practices.
• Provide technical support related to project and research activities. 

Research assistance

• Support externally funded research and industrial projects through laboratory and analytical activities.
• Assist with method development, experimental troubleshooting, and interpretation of analytical results.
• Support undergraduate and postgraduate research-related laboratory activities.

• A bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field (NQF level 7/8).
• A minimum of three (3) years’ laboratory management experience.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ analytical experience.

ADDED ADVANTAGES & PREFERENCES:

• A master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field (NQF level 9).
• Experience in research laboratory environments supporting postgraduate students and externally funded projects.
• Experience with analytical and experimental work related to carbon materials, minerals, biomass, or related fields.
• Experience with advanced analytical instrumentation such as GC-MS, HPLC, ICP, ultimate analysis, TGA, or related systems.
• Experience in laboratory OHS systems, hazardous chemical management, and compliance processes.
• Registerable for a relevant statutory or professional body.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• General laboratory operations, including analytical and experimental processes.
• Skills and experience in advanced analytical instrumentation and associated troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of laboratory OHS processes, hazardous chemical handling, and MSDS requirements.
• Ability to support research, student, and externally funded project activities in a multidisciplinary laboratory environment.
• Administrative and organisational skills, including laboratory coordination and consumables management.
• Experience with specialised analytical equipment such as GC-MS, HPLC, ICP, ultimate analysis, fibre analysis, TGA, or related systems.

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to function effectively in a multidisciplinary and student-centred laboratory environment.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and project deliverables simultaneously.
• Professional, service-oriented, and collaborative approach.
• Ability to work independently and maintain effective working relationships with students, researchers, and external stakeholders.

REMUNERATION:

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. Hein Neomagus on 018 299 1991

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Mrs. Fadilha Minty on 018 299 4993

CLOSING DATE: 19 June 2026

PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: 1 September 2026

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.

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