Job Description

Key responsibilities include the following:

o Prepare, sterilize, and maintain laboratory equipment, culture media, and consumables for teaching and research activities.


o Oversee aseptic techniques and ensure proper use of biosafety cabinets, incubators, and other sterile culture facilities.


o Conduct routine maintenance, calibration, and performance checks of cell culture and related scientific instruments.


o Ensure strict compliance with biosafety, aseptic procedures, health and safety regulations, and institutional policies.


o Supervise and train students during practical sessions, providing technical guidance in sterile handling and cell culture techniques.


o Maintain accurate records of cell lines, culture conditions, equipment usage, maintenance schedules, and laboratory inventory.


o Assist academic staff with research projects, including experimental setup, monitoring cell growth, and troubleshooting technical challenges.


o Manage storage and proper labelling of cell cultures, chemicals, and reagents, while ensuring safe disposal of biohazardous and chemical waste.


o Implement and monitor laboratory access control and security protocols to maintain a sterile and safe working environment

Requirements:

o BPharm/MPharm/Bsc/National Diploma/BTech in a relevant scientific field


o Minimum 1 year's laboratory experience


o Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols and regulations


o Technical proficiency with scientific instrumentation


o Proficiency in aseptic techniques, cell culture handling, and operation of sterile laboratory equipment.


o Ability to supervise and train students in practical laboratory sessions while ensuring compliance with biosafety and safety standards.


o Strong record-keeping, equipment maintenance, and laboratory management skills, including safe storage and disposal of chemicals and biohazardous materials.

Core Competencies:

o Attention to detail and people skills.


o Planning and organizing.


o Ability to work in a team (team player).


o Good time management skills and ability to work in a stressful environment.


o

Verbal and written communication skills.


o Able to achieve and maintain high standards with meticulous attention to detail.


o Ability to work accurately and adhere to strict deadlines/timelines.


o Highly proficient in the use of analytical equipment (HPLC, DSC, TGA, IR, UV, etc.) and water testing.


o Good documentation practices and strong analytical and problem-solving ability.

Preferences:

o BPharm/MPharm/Bsc/National Diploma


o Person who has work in a sterile laboratory


o A person who knows how to grow human and animals' cells


o A person who has worked under pressure in a multidisciplinary environment and sometimes late hours where necessary.


o Ability to lift heavy loads i.e. equipment, gas cylinders, and boxes.


o Experience as a teaching assistant on undergraduate laboratory practicals.


o Hands-on experience in instruments such as FTIR, UV, TGA, DSC and XRD

For more information:

Contact: Professor Yahya E. Choonara


Telephone: (011) 717-2552 I 2052


Email: yahya.choonara@wits.ac.za

Closing Date: 20 November 2025

Detailed Description

Job Requirements

Additional Details

How To Apply

Please submit a covering letter clearly indicating which post you are applying for on a part time/ fulltime basis, a detailed CV with names, addresses, contact numbers and e-mail addresses of 3 referees via i-Recruitment https://irec.wits.ac.za


Only applications via the website will be considered for shortlisting. An interview will form part of the selection process.

NB:

The University will seek confidential referee reports for all shortlisted candidates.

At least one referee must be the candidate's current or most recent immediate supervisor or line manager.

Please note:

No appointment will be made without the receipt and satisfactory consideration of the required referee reports.


By applying for this post the Applicant acknowledges that their personal information will be processed by the University. The Applicant, by their conduct in proceeding with an application for this position, gives their consent to the processing of their personal information as required by the University's Recruitment, Selection and Appointment Policy. Such processing includes logging their information on the University's recruitment systems, conducting necessary background and reference checks including disciplinary and/or criminal records, and disclosing their personal information to university employees identified to take part in the selection and recruitment process. The Applicant consents to any processing of their personal information as may be required. The confidentiality of the Applicant's personal information will be maintained.

The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University. The University retains the right not to make an appointment and to verify all information provided by candidates.

Please note that correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise.





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