South Africa: Senior Laboratory Technician Science posted by Nelson Mandela University

About the Role

The Senior Laboratory Technician Science position at Nelson Mandela University is a critical role that requires a highly skilled and experienced professional to manage the technical aspects of the Zoology Department, including equipment, vehicles, boats, and animal husbandry.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical and mechanical assistance to the Department with the operating, maintenance and servicing of equipment, and manufacturing or purchasing parts for equipment if not available.
• Provide technical assistance to students and staff by designing and setting up experimental systems and equipment for terrestrial and aquatic projects.
• Design and manufacture specific or specialized equipment for laboratory and field research.
• Manage the maintenance and servicing of equipment regularly and, if faulty, order/obtain quotes for repairs or new installation of equipment on the financial ITS system.
• Manage the liaison with external contractors and other service providers of the Zoology Department.
• Manage the maintenance of boats and vehicles in the Zoology Department to comply with safety and operational standards.
• Provide skippering of research vessels on estuaries and in the marine environment and maintain vessel accreditation and seaworthiness.
• Manage research aquarium and maintain animal husbandry and animal ethics standards for marine and terrestrial projects.
• Oversee fieldwork support for student projects and excursions.
• Manage safety, health and environmental compliance in all areas of responsibilities of the Zoology Department for compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act of SA.
• Monitor and control the expenditure, operating, and capital budgets of the laboratory and field equipment of the Department.
• Management of technical and laboratory assistant staff to ensure effective teamwork in accordance with Departmental requirements and functionality.
• Perform purchasing to meet operational needs in accordance with University policies and procedures.
• Doing standby duty, and being contactable 24 hours for breakdowns and malfunctioning equipment.

Requirements

• Possess a B.Sc. Hons degree in Zoology/Animal Science (an M.Sc. degree would be advantageous).
• At least three years of relevant work experience in an academic or research environment in which competency has been gained in animal husbandry and live animal keeping systems.
• Category C boat skippers certification, registered through South African Maritime Safety Association with > 5 years of skippering experience, including surf launching of vessels.
• STCW95/10 Certification (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers).
• Candidates must possess an unendorsed EB driver’s license and be prepared to obtain a Public Drivers Permit for this job.
• Possess four-wheel-drive, off-road driving experience, including vehicle recovery expertise.

Qualifications

None mentioned.