Senior Laboratory Technician (P001037) Re-advertisement at North West University

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

• The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences’ Chemistry Subject Group has a vacancy for a person that has a passion for Chemistry teaching and learning, specifically being responsible for undergraduate practicals with a focus on the supervision of undergraduate students in a training laboratory.
• This is a support position with the successful incumbent taking the lead in ensuring that practical time-tables do not clash for different programmes, ensuring that every week’s practicals are set up correctly, conducting standardisation of solutions, calibration of instruments, weighing of samples, putting out equipment on a daily basis, taking stock of equipment and consumables, managing the finances, placing orders, obtaining quotations on equipment and consumables, liaise and manage student demonstrators, and working with support staff.
• The incumbent will manage first-year, third-year and honours practicals.

JOB DESCRIPTION

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Laboratory & Practical Management.
• Systems, Finance & Administration.
• Asset Management.
• General Safety.
• Occupational Health & Safety.
• People Management.
• Ad-hoc Assignments.
• Records Management.
• Logistical Management.

KEY FUNCTIONAL / TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent chemistry know-how and analytical skills (to plan, standardise solutions and set up experiments).
• Excellent people skills to work with students, student demonstrators and other support staff.
• Excellent administration and financial skills in obtaining quotations and managing a budget.
• Excellent computer skills, which include knowledge of relevant software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent written language ability with respect to spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Demonstration of language proficiency to function optimally in the various multilingual environments of the NWU.

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Commitment to collegiality, being reliable, and a sense of responsibility.
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate in teams.
• An innovator who strives for ‘best practice’ in both teaching and administration.
• Appreciation of the role of support staff and treating them with respect and dignity.
• Ability to function under pressure and willing to work long hours and overtime.

Minimum requirements

• A BSc Honours degree (NQF Level 8) in Chemistry.
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in teaching physical science or general chemistry.
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience as a student assistant (demi).

ADDED ADVANTAGES:

• A postgraduate qualification in teaching, e.g. PGCE or NGOS.
• Teaching and learning experience at high-school level.
• Teaching and learning experience at undergraduate and honours level.
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in general administration.

Apply by: 14 October 2025