Vacant Jobs at North West University

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

• A Senior Lecturer is expected to make contributions to the teaching effort of the Department of Zoology and School of Biological Sciences. An academic at this level is also expected to play a role in scholarship, research, post graduate supervision and/or professional activities.
• To build on the existing strengths of the subject group, the incumbent will be required conduct research in the area of Herpetology (study of amphibians and reptiles), teach ecology at undergraduate level as well as modules within the BSc Honours in Environmental Sciences programmes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teaching and Learning:

• Support with teaching and learning of undergraduate and Honours modules with focus of applied biodiversity and conservation ecology.
• Conduct of tutorials, practical classes, demonstrations, and workshops.
• Actively involved in the development of new courses where needed.
• Organise and lead official undergraduate and Honours field excursions.

 Research and Innovation:

• Initiate research projects and supervise postgraduate students.
• Conduct research, publish and engage in second, third and fifth-stream income generating projects.
• Coordinate and assist with student training on the amphibian collection of the subject group.
• Maintain academic scholarship and involvement in professional activities and contribute to professional organisations.

Social responsiveness and industrial involvement:

• Leading in community engagement activities/projects.
• To develop community-focused biodiversity and conservation projects.
• Participate in ongoing community engagement projects.

 Academic leadership, management, and administration:

• Assist add/or take proactive actions to develop and train students and members of the subject group.
• Serve on related research/ethics/integrity/management committees.

Minimum requirements

• A PhD (NQF level 10) in Zoology or Environmental Sciences with specialisation in Herpetology.
• A minimum of 3 years’ teaching experience at a tertiary level.
• Sound practical experience to lead students in work integrated learning and field excursions.
• Supervision of postgraduate students.
• Demonstrate evidence through lead authorship on research collaboration publications.
• Relevant work experience in herpetology and conservation ecology.

RECOMMENDATIONS / ADDED ADVANTAGES:

• Registration with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).
• Membership with national and international learned scientific societies.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of the appropriate assessment theory and practice to enhance student performance in the fields of herpetology and conservation ecology.
• A proven publication record in accredited scholarly journals – proven track record with first author collaborative publications.
• Evidence of supervising and successful completion post graduate students (M level).
• Record of national and international networking, collaboration, and recognition (e.g. NRF evaluation).
• Proficiency in taxonomy.
• Evidence of competency and accreditation in animal research ethics.
• Competency in biological sampling, specimen curation, and molecular analyses of samples.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Effective communication skills.
• Good interpersonal relations.
• The ability to function well individually and as part of a team.
• Good analytical abilities and innovative thinking, as well as the ability to be self-driven.
• The ability to solve problems independently.
• Good time management and problem-solving skills.
• Good planning and organising skills, as well as good scientific writing skills.
• A high level of professional and ethical conduct.

Apply by: 22 October 2025

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Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

• The Laboratory Specialist is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of operational excellence and technical reliability across the research unit.
• This role is central to maintaining uninterrupted functionality across the full spectrum of laboratory infrastructure, including critical support and monitoring systems.
• The Laboratory Specialist ensures improved maintenance of expensive analytical equipment, leading to improved functionality, reduced maintenance cost, improved post-graduate flow-through, and increased publication outputs for the research entity.
• By implementing robust quality control measures, the Laboratory Specialist plays a key role in upholding the integrity of the research entity outputs and enabling high-impact, methodologically sound research.
• The Laboratory Specialist will also be responsible for post-graduate training and support on various analytical equipment (GC, NMR, EPR, LC).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational activities:

• Pre-analytical and analytical processing of research samples and equipment maintenance.
• Lead infrastructure upgrades and manage installation and integration processes to enhance operational capacity.
• Execute routine servicing of laboratory equipment to ensure optimal performance and minimise downtime.

 Research and Innovation:

• Assistance with method development and improvement of analytical capabilities.

Teaching and Learning:

• Student training

 Laboratory Administration:

• Effective and efficient inventory management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with application specialists and representatives to maximise technical support and drive innovation in laboratory practices.

 Quality control:

• Adhering to ISO 17025 / Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards where applicable.

 Ad hoc tasks:

• As directed by the Director.

Occupational Health and Safety:

• Foster a safety-focused culture by encouraging proactive risk identification, reporting, and shared accountability within the lab team (GLP, OHS and ethical research practices).

Minimum requirements

• A Masters’ degree (NQF level 9) in Biochemistry or Analytical Chemistry.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the following areas:
• Basic laboratory skills and management;
• Gas- and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS and LC-MS); and
• Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
• Must have experience in Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR).

RECOMMENDATIONS / ADDED ADVANTAGES:

• Membership with professional bodies such as South African Association for Mass Spectrometry (SAAMS), Chromatography Society of South Africa (ChromSA) or Metabolomics South Africa (MSA).

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Advanced knowledge of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) – application, maintenance, method development, method validation, quality control
• Advanced knowledge of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) – application, maintenance, method development, method validation, quality control
• Advanced knowledge of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) – application, maintenance, method development, method validation, quality control
• Advanced knowledge of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) – application, maintenance, method development, method validation, quality control
• Excellent computer skills with proven competency in mass spectrometry (MS) and NMR data processing
• Strong understanding of safety regulations, risk assessments, and emergency protocols, ensuring a safe working environment and minimising risks related to hazardous and biohazardous materials
• Record keeping of equipment booking, usage logs, results and quality documentation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Language proficient in a multi-lingual environment
• Ability to train staff and students, fostering skill development in lab techniques, safety practices, and adherence to regulatory standards.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to effectively work independently and in a team
• Ability to function under pressure
• Natural innovator who strives for ‘best practice’ and technical advancement.

Apply by: 22 October 2025

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Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

• The Senior Laboratory Specialist is responsible for ensuring excellence in research operations and scientific output through comprehensive oversight of technical infrastructure, training initiatives, and research activities.
• This role entails overseeing the maintenance and operation of high-value analytical instrumentation by technical staff and students, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, reducing repair costs, and maximising research productivity.
• Concurrently, the Senior Lab Specialist leads the development and implementation of standardised, high-quality operating procedures and training programs for routine and advanced analytical methodologies.
• The role provides scientific consultation across all research phases, including experimental design, statistical methodology, data analysis, and quality control, to uphold consistency, accuracy, and scientific rigor.
• Additionally, the role involves leading external collaborative research projects, thereby fostering the internationalisation of the research entity and driving increased publication output.
• By integrating technical leadership with scientific expertise, the Senior Lab Specialist plays a pivotal role in maintaining a high-performing, globally connected research environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational activities:

• Supervise technical staff in daily operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of high-value analytical instrumentation.
• Develop and enforce preventative maintenance schedules to minimise downtime/repair costs.
• Optimise resource allocation and lab scheduling, prioritising high-impact projects.

 Research and Innovation:

• Drive development/optimisation of analytical methods and improve data quality control and reproducibility.
• Provide scientific consultation: advise on study design, sample preparation, method selection, data processing/statistical analysis, and quality control.
• Co-develop and maintain standardised data processing pipelines.
• Lead/foster collaborative research projects (national/international); co-author publications to increase output and internationalisation.

Teaching and Learning:

• Student training and post-graduate (MSc and PhD) supervision.
• Design high-quality, standardised training programs for technical staff and students to promote quality control and regulatory practices.
• Identify and facilitate external training opportunities when needed to align with industry standards.

 Laboratory Administration:

• Effective and efficient inventory management and procurement to align with research priorities.
• Maintain rigorous oversight of laboratory record-keeping by ensuring regular and compliant logbook entries.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with application specialists and representatives to maximise technical support and drive innovation in laboratory practices.

 Quality control:

• Adhering to ISO 17025 / Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards where applicable.
• Drive continuous improvement in lab processes and data quality.
• Lead the development, implementation and maintenance of quality management systems, including SOPs for all lab processes, data integrity checks, and regular internal audits.

 Ad hoc tasks:

• As directed by the Director.

Occupational Health and Safety:

• Foster a safety-focused culture by encouraging proactive risk identification, reporting, and shared accountability within the lab team (GLP, OHS and ethical research practices).

Minimum requirements

• A PhD (NQF level 10) in Biochemistry or Analytical Chemistry.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the following areas:
• Basic laboratory skills and management;
• Gas- and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS and LC-MS);
• Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR);
• Bioenergetics and metabolic flux analysis (Seahorse XF and/or Oroboros O2k);
• Human and animal metabolomics and bioenergetics; and
• Data processing and statistical analysis
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in the supervision/co-supervision of post-graduate students.

RECOMMENDATIONS / ADDED ADVANTAGES:

• Any academic qualification in Statistics with Biostatistics as an area of specialisation.
• Registration with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).
• Membership with professional bodies such as South African Association for Mass Spectrometry (SAAMS), Chromatography Society of South Africa (ChromSA) or Metabolomics South Africa (MSA).

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Advanced knowledge of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) – application, maintenance, method development, method validation, quality control.
• Advanced knowledge of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) – application, maintenance, method development, method validation, quality control.
• Advanced knowledge of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) – application, maintenance, method development, method validation, quality control.
• Advanced knowledge of bioenergetics and metabolic flux analysis (Seahorse XF/Oroboros) – application, maintenance, method development, method validation, quality control.
• Proven ability to derive robust biological insights from metabolomics and bioenergetics data through rigorous preprocessing and application of advanced statistical methods.
• Skilled in sample preparation for diverse metabolomics platforms and bioenergetic analyses spanning cells, animal models, and human specimens.
• Excellent computer skills with proven competency in mass spectrometric (MS), NMR, respirometry and metabolic flux software and data processing.
• Record keeping of equipment booking, usage logs, results and quality documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Language proficient in a multi-lingual environment.
• Strong publication record in metabolomics and bioenergetics research, underpinned by advanced knowledge in mammalian metabolic biochemistry.
• Experience in post-graduate supervision.
• Ability to design and deliver effective training programs for staff and students, fostering skill development in lab techniques, safety practices, and adherence to regulatory standards.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to effectively work independently and in a team.
• Exceptional attention to detail and consistency in executing complex tasks.
• Ability to function under pressure.
• Natural innovator who strives for ‘best practice’ and technical advancement.
• Ability to build good interpersonal relationships and communicate effectively across diverse teams, fostering trust and facilitating knowledge exchange.

Apply by: 22 October 2025