Senior Technician (P9) (Faculty of Science: Department of Chemical Sciences) (Re-advert)
Position Summary
Introduction
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan university, anchored in Africa and driven by a powerful strategy focused on attaining global excellence and stature (GES). With an emphasis on independent thinking, sustainable development, and strategic partnerships, UJ is an international university of choice. The University is guided by the Vice-Chancellor’s vision of “Positioning UJ in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) for societal impact in the context of the changing social, political, and economic fortunes of Africa”.
Job description
- Provide technical/advisory support.
- Planning and supervising the preparation and presentation of undergraduate practical sessions.
- Giving technical advice about practicals and undergraduate analytical instruments to lecturers and students.
- Ensuring that all users have a uniform and constructive exposure to the laboratories.
- Ensuring that all reagents are accurately prepared and standardised when necessary.
- Ensuring that concentrations of unknown reagents are reported to the coordinating lecturer timeously.
- Ensuring that laboratories are kept clean before, during and after practicals.
- Ensuring that technical support staff are informed of and repair efficiently routine maintenance problems including plumbing, electrical, carpentry and locksmith problems.
- Ensures that undergraduate instruments are maintained in optimum condition by monitoring cleaning, logbooks, keeping service records and contacting outside service repairmen when required.
- Liaising with colleagues about new practicals.
- Allocating the pilot study of new practical to laboratory staff.
- Reporting on the success of proposed new laboratory sessions.
- Adjusting existing practicals as required.
- Help to manage a team of qualified technicians and other technical staff who renders a specialised service in the laboratories.
- Conduct effective performance evaluations.
- Monitoring and distributing workloads for laboratory technicians, assistants and cleaners.
- Ensuring assigned workloads are carried out effectively and timeously.
- Inducting and training new laboratory staff.
- Reporting to the HOD’s office about training needs, disciplinary and performance related issues.
- Assist in compiling and controlling a specific budget.
- Planning and administering the annual undergraduate budget.
- Ensuring that laboratory supplies and other supplies are ordered and delivered so that stock levels are maintained.
- Evaluate equipment need and negotiate contacts for the pricing of equipment orders and service contracts.
- Over and above, the incumbent will be required to monitor general safety practices, infrastructure needs, etc., on the research laboratories in liaison with academics working in those laboratories.
Minimum requirements
- Minimum of an NQF 6 (Diploma) or equivalent
- At least 5 years' exposure to managing undergraduate Analytical Chemistry laboratories
- At least 2 years' exposure to leading technical staff manning undergraduate laboratories
- Experience or previous participation in developing, conducting, and overseeing/demonstrating undergraduate practical sessions in Chemistry
- Proven experience of dealing with chemical laboratory waste
- Demonstratable awareness of the requirements of Laboratory safety Act
- Functional knowledge and skills of stock control and procurement within budget important
- Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety act 85 of 1993 requirements for chemical environments required
- Advanced knowledge of equipment, chemicals, and laboratory practice (ISO 17025:2005) required
- Problem solving and analysis
- Technical aptitude
- Planning and organising
- Computer literacy
- A team player with a passion for student training
- Be competent in both oral and written communication
- A BSc degree in chemistry or working towards completion will be an added advantage
- Knowledge of ISO 17025:2005 training is an added advantage
Your application, comprising of a detailed Curriculum Vitae as well as the names and full contact details (including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses) of at least three traceable and credible referees must be uploaded before or on the closing date of the advertised post. Please also attach the following: a copy of your highest academic qualification, proof of registration with professional bodies you might belong to and if applying for an academic position, a list of accredited research output and/ or a portfolio of your creative output.
Please note that the University is obligated, in terms of recent amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 2021 (Act 13 of 2021), to assess all prospective employees (including applicants) against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). The outcome of such an assessment may have an impact upon possible employment with the University.
For more information, please review the following link: Justice/Criminal/NRSO.
If you require technical support / assistance on the UJ e-recruitment website, please contact our service provider PNET on the following contact details: 0861 227337/010 140 3099 or email ujsupport@pnet.co.za.
Candidates may be subjected to appropriate psychometric testing and other selection instruments.
In conjunction to merit on the basis of qualifications, experience and proven achievements the University of Johannesburg is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and those individuals from the historically disadvantaged groups. As necessitated by operational requirements the University reserves the right not to make an appointment to positions advertised. If you have not received a response from the University within 8 weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.
