Assistant Technical Officer at Stellenbosch University

Duties

• Managing undergraduate laboratories and storerooms, analytical instruments, and processing equipment;
• Preparing and presenting practicals;
• Providing technical and academic assistance to staff, as well as to undergraduate and postgraduate students;
• Responsible for obtaining quotations for equipment, chemicals, consumables, and glassware;
• Supervision over and quality control of the standard operating procedures for specific instrumentation and laboratory areas, as well providing information to all staff and students regarding these systems and procedures;
• Responsible for laboratory safety, departmental chemical waste management and the fire evacuation procedures;
• Involved with general departmental administration, planning and security;
• Liaising with sales representatives.

Job Requirements

• At least a four-year BSc degree in Food Science, OR a BSc Honour's degree in a chemical, biochemical or microbiological science, and at least two years¿ experience in a laboratory or research environment;
• Experience in at least two of the following skills, namely: food product development, chemical, biochemical and microbiological analysis, food safety, proximal analyses, and / or food processing;
• Experience of working with undergraduate and postgraduate students in a class and laboratory environment;
• The ability to follow standardised methods with precision in different laboratories;
• Proven ability of using laboratory equipment effectively and accurately for sample analysis;
• Sound verbal and written communication skills in English and Afrikaans;
• Familiarity with the use of computer software (Word, Excel and PowerPoint);
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks under time pressure;
• Proven ability to function well within a group and also to independently and efficiently plan and organise several tasks;
• A valid driver's licence.