Assistant Technical Officer

at  Stellenbosch University

Duties/Pligte

• Managing undergraduate laboratories and storerooms, analytical instruments, and processing equipment.
• Preparing and presenting practicals.
• Providing technical and academic assistance to staff, as well as to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Responsible for obtaining quotations for equipment, chemicals, consumables, and glassware.
• Supervision over and quality control of the standard operating procedures for specific instrumentation and laboratory areas, as well providing information to all staff and students regarding these systems and procedures.
• Responsible for laboratory safety, departmental chemical waste management and the fire evacuation procedures.
• Involved with general departmental administration, planning and security.
• Liaising with sales representatives.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

• At least a four-year BSc degree in Food Science, OR a BSc Honour’s degree in a chemical, biochemical or microbiological science, and at least two years’ experience in a laboratory or research environment.
• Experience in at least two of the following skills, namely: food product development, chemical, biochemical and microbiological analysis, food safety, proximal analyses, and / or food processing.
• Experience of working with undergraduate and postgraduate students in a class and laboratory environment.
• The ability to follow standardised methods with precision in different laboratories.
• Proven ability of using laboratory equipment effectively and accurately for sample analysis.
• Sound verbal and written communication skills in English and Afrikaans.
• Familiarity with the use of computer software (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks under time pressure.
• Proven ability to function well within a group and also to independently and efficiently plan and organise several tasks.

Recommendation/Aanbeveling

• MSc degree in Food Science, or an MSc degree in a chemical, biochemical or microbiological science.
• Knowledge of food regulations.
• A valid driver’s licence.

• Managing undergraduate laboratories and storerooms, analytical instruments, and processing equipment.
• Preparing and presenting practicals.
• Providing technical and academic assistance to staff, as well as to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Responsible for obtaining quotations for equipment, chemicals, consumables, and glassware.
• Supervision over and quality control of the standard operating procedures for specific instrumentation and laboratory areas, as well providing information to all staff and students regarding these systems and procedures.
• Responsible for laboratory safety, departmental chemical waste management and the fire evacuation procedures.
• Involved with general departmental administration, planning and security.
• Liaising with sales representatives