Laboratory Technician_ Re-advertisement at North West University

Apply by: 15 November 2026

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Operational activities:

• Perform routine gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses and maintain assigned laboratory equipment and facilities. Ensure laboratory and instrument readiness through routine inspections, preventative maintenance, first-line troubleshooting, system suitability and performance verification, equipment start-up and shutdown procedures, and operational status checks. Monitor carrier and support gases, hydrogen generators, laboratory utilities and environmental conditions where applicable, coordinate equipment servicing and repairs, and maintain the operational readiness, safety and functionality of assigned laboratories,

Research & Innovation:

• Support the development, optimisation, verification and implementation of GC-MS sample-preparation and analytical methods. Investigate analytical problems, improve existing workflows and contribute technical expertise to research planning, data quality and the expansion of departmental analytical capabilities.

Teaching & Learning:

• Train undergraduate and postgraduate students, staff and researchers in GC-MS sample preparation, instrument operation, software use, data processing, laboratory safety and good laboratory practice. Supervise new users, assess competency where applicable, and ensure compliance with laboratory rules and assigned laboratory duties.     

Laboratory Administration:

• Manage laboratory inventories, reagents, consumables, gases, standards and laboratory supplies. Maintain equipment logbooks, maintenance records, quality documentation, training records and asset registers. Verify laboratory assets, coordinate procurement and service requirements, record equipment faults in institutional asset management systems where applicable, and ensure laboratories remain organised, adequately stocked and operational. 

Quality control:

• Implement and maintain applicable quality-control and quality-assurance procedures, including system suitability testing, quality-control samples, acceptance criteria, equipment records, traceability and controlled documentation. Contribute to the implementation of ISO/IEC 17025-aligned laboratory practices where applicable. 

Ad hoc tasks:

• Perform reasonable additional duties related to the GC-MS platform, laboratory operations, departmental projects and institutional priorities, as directed by the Research Director or delegated line manager.

Occupational Health and Safety:

• Comply with and support laboratory health, safety and environmental requirements. Conduct or contribute to risk assessments, incident reporting, chemical and compressed-gas safety, hydrogen-generator safety, waste management, emergency preparedness and corrective actions within the assigned laboratories.

Minimum requirements

• A diploma / advanced certificate in Biochemistry / Analytical Chemistry (NQF Level 6).
• A minimum of two (2) years' experience in basic laboratory skills and management, including the day-to-day operation and management of an analytical research laboratory.
• A minimum of two (2) years' experience in one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), including routine operation, analysis, data pre-processing, method development (research), maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• A minimum of two (2) years’ practical experience in GC-TOFMS and GC-MS/MS-based metabolomics of biological samples, such as biofluids, tissues or cultured cells, including metabolite extraction, preparation of quality control samples, derivatisation, data acquisition and metabolomics data processing.
• A minimum of two (2) years' experience in training staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students in the operation and application of 1D and 2D, GC-MS.
• A minimum of two (2) years' experience in gas and utility management, including monitoring GC carrier and support gases, regulators, gas purification traps, gas distribution systems and hydrogen generators.        

ADDED ADVANTAGES:

• A minimum of two (2) years' experience in shared research-platform management, including managing instrument access, scheduling, user support, consumables, operational risks and platform continuity.
• A minimum of two (2) years' experience in LECO GC-TOFMS instruments and ChromaTOF and/or ChromaTOF Sync software.
• A minimum of two (2) years' experience in Agilent GC-MS/MS instruments and MassHunter software.
• A Registration with HPCSA / SACNASP.
• Membership of MSA, ChromSA, SASBMB.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:  

• Advanced knowledge of one-dimensional and two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) – application, performance monitoring, maintenance, troubleshooting, basic repairs.
• Advanced knowledge of 1D/2D GC-TOF-MS and GC-MS/MS instrumentation, data acquisition, analytical workflows and method development.
• Excellent computer skills with proven competency in mass spectrometric data processing.
• Ability to train users, demonstrate analytical procedures and assess competency before granting independent instrument access.
• Record-keeping of equipment booking, usage logs, results and quality documentation.
• Knowledge of GC carrier and support gases, gas purity requirements, regulators, gas traps, gas distribution systems, cylinder handling and hydrogen-generator operation.
• Knowledge of biological sample preparation for GC-MS applications including liquid-liquid - and solid phase extraction.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Language proficient in a multi-lingual environment.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to effectively work independently and in a team.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to function under pressure.
• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise work effectively.
• Willingness to take ownership of assigned instruments, laboratories and technical responsibilities.
• Natural innovator who strives for ‘best practice’ and technical advancement.