Principal Technical Assistant - Department of Biochemistry at Stellenbosch University

Duties    

• General cleaning duties: responsible for cleaning and maintaining the  undergraduate laboratory facilities during the year (sweeping and mopping the floor, washing surfaces, filling the distilled water containers, etc.), as well as cleaning specialised laboratory areas as per standard operating procedures;
• Providing support for undergraduate practicals: responsible for preparing and maintaining workspaces in the undergraduate laboratory for practical sessions as instructed by the responsible technical officer (packing out and rinsing glassware, consumables, and equipment used during the practicals), removing used glassware and equipment after each practical, washing and drying, and packing away in time for the next practical;
• Providing support for research activities: responsible for performing the daily autoclave run; biological and chemical laboratory waste removal; monitoring and maintaining liquid nitrogen containers (collecting and refilling liquid nitrogen containers); receiving gas cylinders deliveries and replacing gas cylinders in the gas store; moving flammable substances to and from storage; maintaining consumables, and preparingchemical solutions used in the specialised laboratory areas;
• Providing general departmental support: responsible for managing the  departmental cleaning materials; general collection and delivery duties; moving furniture; the transport of official visitors to the Department; and reporting maintenance issues to Facilities Management;
• Must be available during the December/January holiday period for carrying out essential services as emergency back-up person, e.g., liquid nitrogen refill, to respond to fridge/freezer alarms, etc.;   
• Providing general assistance with ad hoc tasks.

Job Requirements    

• A National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) with Physical or Life Sciences as school subject, and at least two years' practical work experience within a comparable laboratory environment;
• Computer literate with knowledge of MS Office;
• Good communication skills in English;
• Proven ability to correctly interpret and execute assigned tasks;
• Proven ability to show initiative, and to identify and solve problems;
• Proven ability to work independently, as well as part of a team;
• Proven experience in working with labware, laboratory equipment and chemicals;
• The physical ability to move gas cylinders, liquid nitrogen containers and other heavy equipment;
• A valid driver's licence.