Technologist: Chemical Engineering (Contract Ending 30 June 2026) - Re-advertisement at Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Job Purpose

The incumbent shall be expected to provide specialised technical and analytical expertise related to the objectives of the project and will amongst others anchor the following:

• Manage the installations, commissioning, operation and running of the following equipment, but not limited to, for analytical purposes: ICP-AES, TG-DTA, XRD, SEM-EDX, IC, Laser scattering particle size analyzer, IR Gas analyzer (CO2 and other impurities in gas phase), Bipolar membrane electrodialysis equipment, Ultrapure water production equipment, Solid digestion equipment etc.
• Calibration, operation and maintenance of equipment for the Chemical Engineering Department
• Maintenance scheduling of equipment
• Inventory management
• Budget management relating to the cost centres of the project.
• Demonstration to staff and students; assist and perform analysis for UG and PG students that need results.
• Job Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Master’s degree in Science or Engineering.
• Minimum three years relevant experience in managing, operating, and maintaining sophisticated analytical equipment such as ICP, TD-DTA, IR, SEM-EDX, XRD and related financial bookkeeping, and administration.

Key Performance Areas / Principal Accountabilities

Technical:

• Undertake installations, commissioning, and day to day management, operation and maintenance of specific instrumentation as required.
• Set up and operates electronic, mechanical or hand operated laboratory equipment.
• Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests and analyses using specialized techniques.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus and prepare solutions of gas or liquid, reagents, and sample formulations.
• Compile records, reports, and interpret analytical data or experimental results.
• Develop and conduct methods of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, and products.
• Perform quality control checks on products and systems.
• Develop chemical engineering processes, construction, inspection and maintenance, and the development of standards, procedures and health and safety measures.
• Monitor progress of the project and make recommendations for changes where necessary.
• Provide technical support to ensure that products produced and/ or processes are defect-free.
• Conduct research on new technologies related to the project.
• Conduct experiments to test products under real-world conditions to gather data about how they perform.
• Demonstrate to students on the practical application of modern analytical instrumentation and the interpretation of data.
• Contribute towards the review of assessments methods for training in analytical techniques.
• Implementation of an evaluation system to determine learning success in analytical techniques.
• Mentor students at all levels as required in the use of modern analytical instrumentation.

Administration:

• Undertake all administrative duties related to installation, managing, operating, calibration, and maintaining instrumentation, including ordering, receivals, overseeing repairs of analytical instruments.
• Provide a service for external users of the instrumentation for cost recovery.

Internal/External Liaison:

• Participate in co-operative education activities related to modern instrumental operation and data interpretation.
• Develop and manage a process for access to equipment by paying clients/ external users.

Research:

• Be involved with and support analytical needs of all students and staff needing access to the equipment including all postgraduate student research.
• Be involved in and support research related to the SATREP project and instrumentation.
• Staff and postgraduate student training related to the equipment as required, applicable and approved.

Assisting with the inputs related to analytical requirements of:

• The curriculum programmes and research that are linked to Chemical Engineering relevant departments from other faculties in CPUT.
• Participation in Quality Assurance activities,
• Personal & professional development,
• Assisting with WIL and planning of service-learning initiatives,
• Do staff and student training on equipment.
• Assist staff, students and any relevant stakeholder with analysis required.

Competencies

• Demonstrable technical skills (to operate, understand and interpret engineering plans, designs and develop new products and processes; and troubleshoot and maintain analytical instruments)
• Demonstrable and well-developed analytical skills
• Quality assurance
• Health and safety awareness
• Patience and persistence
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to keep abreast of new technologies and developments.
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Language proficiency: English and any other official language,
• Computer literacy
• Student focused.
• Coaching and mentoring skills
• Strong management skills,
• Ability to manage change.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Financial management skills
• Ability to interpret acts, laws and procedures.
• Project management.

Additional:

• Assistance with hands-on practical projects and exercises for undergraduate students in the Labs.
• Assist with the development of subject material related to application of modern analytical instrumentation.
• Contribution to team research and their administration.
• Assisting with departmental administration.
• Contribute actively to analytical requirements that support innovative research, teaching, and learning.
• Marketing of the instrumentational facility to external users