Senior Laboratory Technician (P001037) (Re-advert)

Position Summary

Industry: Education & Training

Job category: Laboratory

Location: Potchefstroom

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

About Our Company

NWU

Introduction

NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHESFTROOM CAMPUS) FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES | POSITION NUMBER: P001037 VACANCY: SENIOR LABORATORY TECHNICIAN PEROMNES GRADE: 10 EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT (THIS IS NOT A RESEARCH POSITION)

Job Description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences Chemistry Subject Group has a vacancy for a person that has a passion for Chemistry teaching and learning, specifically being responsible for undergraduate practicals with a focus on the supervision of undergraduate students in a training laboratory. This is a support position with the successful incumbent taking the lead in ensuring that practical time-tables do not clash for different programmes, ensuring that every weeks practicals are set up correctly, conducting standardisation of solutions, calibration of instruments, weighing of samples, putting out equipment on a daily basis, taking stock of equipment and consumables, managing the finances, placing orders, obtaining quotations on equipment and consumables, liaise and manage student demonstrators, and working with support staff. The incumbent will manage first-year, third-year and honours practicals.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Laboratory & Practical Management.
• Systems, Finance & Administration.
• Asset Management.
• General Safety.
• Occupational Health & Safety.
• People Management.
• Ad-hoc Assignments.
• Records Management.
• Logistical Management.

Key Functional / Technical Competencies

• Excellent chemistry know-how and analytical skills (to plan, standardise solutions and set up experiments).
• Excellent people skills to work with students, student demonstrators and other support staff.
• Excellent administration and financial skills in obtaining quotations and managing a budget.
• Excellent computer skills, which include knowledge of relevant software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent written language ability with respect to spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Demonstration of language proficiency to function optimally in the various multilingual environments of the NWU.

Key Behavioural Competencies

• Commitment to collegiality, being reliable, and a sense of responsibility.
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate in teams.
• An innovator who strives for best practice in both teaching and administration.
• Appreciation of the role of support staff and treating them with respect and dignity.
• Ability to function under pressure and willing to work long hours and overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• A BSc Honours degree (NQF Level 8) in Chemistry.
• A minimum of two (2) years experience in teaching physical science or general chemistry.
• A minimum of two (2) years experience as a student assistant (demi).

Added Advantages

• A postgraduate qualification in teaching, e.g. PGCE or NGOS.
• Teaching and learning experience at high-school level.
• Teaching and learning experience at undergraduate and honours level.
• A minimum of two (2) years experience in general administration.

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 RJ Kriek on 018 299 2345

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Tirhani Baloyi on 018 285 2037

CLOSING DATE: 05 September 2025

PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: 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 the 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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