Principal Technical Assistant (Post Level 13.1) at Stellenbosch University

Duties/Pligte        

• General cleaning duties: Cleaning and maintaining the undergraduate laboratory facility during the year (sweeping and mopping the floor, washing surfaces, filling distilled water containers, etc.); cleaning of specialised laboratory areas as per standard operating procedure; and cleaning storage areas as required.
• Supporting undergraduate practicals: 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 it, and packing it away in time for the next practical.
• Supporting research activities: Departmental biological and chemical laboratory waste removal; assisting the senior technical officer with managing chemical waste removal for the building; monitoring and maintaining liquid nitrogen levels in the departmental storage containers (collecting and refilling liquid nitrogen containers); monitoring and maintenance of continuous gas supply to the Department (replacing gas cylinders); managing the departmental stock of liquid nitogen, gas and drum ethanol (informing the responsable person when it must be ordered); receiving liquid nitrogen and gas cylinder deliveries; moving flammable substances to and from storage;  preparing chemical solutions used in the specialised laboratory areas; washing decontaminated radioactive glassware; and assisting the radioactive officer with tasks related to radioactive waste storage and removal.
• General departmental support: Performing general collection and delivery duties; moving furniture; reporting maintenance issues to Facilities Management; finalising the asset register for allocated rooms; providing general assistance with ad hoc tasks.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes        

• 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 interpret and execute assigned tasks correctly.
• 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, lab equipment, and chemicals.
• The physical ability to move gas cylinders, liquid nitrogen containers and other heavy equipment and furniture.

Recommendation/Aanbeveling        

• Experience in a biochemistry undergraduate teaching environment.
• Previous experience in a similar post.
• Demonstrable proficiency in isiXhosa.

Closing Date  20-Nov-2025