Research Laboratory Coordinator : Department of Virology-Faculty of Health Sciences at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

Responsibilities
The incumbent will be responsible for:

• Managing Health and Safety for the department including serving as the Health and Safety representative;
• Providing Health and Safety training to staff and students;
• Ensuring that all medical requirements for Health and Safety are met;
• Facilitating quarterly Health and Safety inspections of all research laboratories;
• Record keeping of all Health and Safety and laboratory management documentation;
• Supporting management of Biosafety level 2 and Biosafety level 3 facilities;
• Supporting equipment management, maintenance and validations of all research laboratories;
• Assisting with asset and stock control;
• Facilitating waste management;
• Facilitating decontamination of facilities when needed;
• Compiling biosafety and training manuals including standard operating procedures;
• Assisting with regulatory audits.
   

Minimum Requirements

• MSc/MTech in Virology or a related field;
• Three years’ experience in laboratory management or similar experience;
• Three years’ experience in health and safety of biomedical laboratories;
• Three years’ experience in virological and molecular techniques;
• Experience in working or managing a biosafety level 3 laboratory;
• Experience in biosafety and biosecurity training.
   

Required Competencies (skills, Knowledge And Behavioural Attributes)

• Advanced knowledge of virology including biocontainment and decontamination requirements;
• Basic understanding of biosafety and biosecurity principles;
• Advanced understanding of Health and Safety principles;
• Advanced competency in molecular and virological techniques;
• Advanced competency to work in Biosafety level 2 laboratory;
• Basic competency to work in Biosafety level 3 facilities;
• Advanced writing, communication and people skills’
• Assertive, highly organized with attention to detail and excellent leadership skills.
   

Added Advantages And Preferences

• PhD in Virology or related field;
• HPCSA registration as medical virologist;
• SAVC registration as a laboratory or animal technologist;
• At least 2-3 years Biosafety level 3 experience.

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent’s level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.