Principal Technical Officer at Rhodes University

Main Objectives

• To actively support academic staff and the outcomes of the academic programme by ensuring that all undergraduate practicals are planned, prepared and delivered to the required standard. Furthermore, the role also requires that technical support is provided to postgraduate students and researchers.
• To be responsible for and manage the undergraduate Pharmaceutical Chemistry laboratories and ensure standards are adheredto, especially regarding cleanliness, OHS and SOPs. Responsible for operating, maintaining, repairing, and appropriately storing instruments and equipment for undergraduate and post-graduate use. Ensure that instruments and equipment are serviced, calibrated, and always in good working order.

The Requirements

A BSc Degree in Chemical Science or NQF 7 equivalent technical qualification, plus approximately 3 years relevant experience where such experience includes:

• Previous experience in a related chemical environment, including but not limited to laboratories within tertiary education, industrial laboratories, school laboratories, etc., where working with chemicals was part of the responsibilities.
• Experience with the correct safety, handling, and disposal of chemical and bio-hazardous waste as specified in the Occupational Health and Safety Act no. 85 of 1993.
• Experience in using scientific methods and instrumentation related to teaching and research laboratories and a good working knowledge of various analytical equipment.
• Experience in keeping laboratory infrastructure maintained.
• Experience in record keeping and general administration, as well as financial knowledge (e,g budgets, financial controls and stocktaking).
• At least one year’s proven staff supervision experience in a laboratory-related field.
• Experience with Organic Chemistry, Inorganic, and Analytical/Physical Chemistry.
• Experience with Microbiology would be an added advantage.