Assistant Biosafety Technician

National Institute For Communicable Diseases (Nicd); Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health research institute in Johannesburg is seeking an Assistant Biosafety Technician. This role involves assisting with the operations, maintenance, and certification of biocontainment laboratory facilities. Candidates should possess an N6 in Engineering and have 1-3 years of experience in biosafety. Key responsibilities include implementing safety practices and providing technical support. This fixed-term contract runs until March 2026.

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years post qualification experience in biosafety technical and regulatory requirements.
• Experience as a trainer in laboratory-related biosafety and biosecurity training.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing biosafety and biosecurity practices in laboratory facilities.
• Participate in maintenance activities of plant equipment and containment infrastructure.
• Provide engineering support for setting up biocontainment laboratory infrastructure.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Logical problem solving and fault finding

Interpersonal skills

Creativity

Education

N6 in an Engineering discipline

Medical Laboratory Certification

Job description

BUSINESS UNIT: NICD

DISCIPLINE: MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION – FACILITIES

LOCATION: SANDRINGHAM

POSITION: ASSISTANT BIOSAFETY TECHNICIAN (FIXED TERM CONTRACT UNTIL MARCH 2026)

PAY GRADE: C2

REFERENCE NUMBER: NICDCDC0725-001-03

To assist in the operation, maintenance and certification of biocontainment laboratory facilities and equipment at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), and the greater National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) institutions, in South Africa in accordance to current local and international biosafety and biosecurity regulations and practices.

Key Job Responsibilities

• To assist in the implementation of biosafety and biosecurity practices, guidelines and regulations in NICD laboratory facilities
• To assist in planned / routine and breakdown maintenance activities as per protocol on plant equipment and containment infrastructure to ensure its optimal operation
• To assist in providing technical advice in the design, construction, upgrading and maintenance of high containment facilities, including budgeting and to ensure that the facilities provide locally sustainable technical solutions for biosafety or biosecurity requirements
• To participate in the implementation of commissioning plans, daily checklists, inspection and maintenance programmes, and annual shutdown and certification procedures for biocontainment facilities
• To participate in biosafety committees and implementing their resolutions, assisting in the development and updating of institutional biosafety manuals, and emergency response plans
• To assist in the provision of engineering support in the setting up of “field” biocontainment laboratory infrastructure (installation of equipment and system operation) in support of NICD institutional commitments (e.g. during disease outbreaks) locally, regionally and globally
• To assist in the development of improved biosafety and biosecurity practices and procedures in field/disease outbreak settings
• To participate in NICD/NHLS training initiatives as a trainer in the field of biosafety and biosecurity
• To assist in the development of biosafety and biosecurity training programmes (including procedures for handling, shipping and receipt of biological and hazardous materials)
• To keep up to date with relevant, current and emerging methods and technologies to ensure personal growth and development.

Minimum requirements and key competencies

• N6 in an Engineering discipline (e.g. electrical, mechanical)
• Holder of locally and/or internationally recognized training and certifications in biosafety and biosecurity and related fields
• Medical Laboratory Certification (Desirable)
• Post qualification experience in field of qualification as well as in the maintenance of plant equipment with demonstrated potential 1 to 3 years post qualification experience of biosafety technical and regulatory requirements for high bio-containment microbiological and biomedical laboratories
• One [1] to Three [2] years post qualification as a trainer experience in laboratory related biosafety and biosecurity training initiatives
• Knowledge of OSHA
• Biosafety technical and regulatory requirements for high bio-containment microbiological and biomedical laboratories
• Read and interpret electrical and electronic drawings, fault finding and repairs
• Local and internationally recognized training in biosafety and biosecurity and related fields (Desirable)
• Attention to detail
• Communication skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical problem solving and fault finding
• Ability to adapt to different working environments
• Meeting deadlines / Working in a high-pressurized environment
• Interpersonal skills
• Ability to work unsupervised, but also productively as part of a team
• Creativity
• Supervision of staff
• Logical problem solving and fault finding