General Laboratory Assistant

Africa Health Research Institute; Durban; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Africa Health Research Institute in Durban, South Africa, seeks a Laboratory General Assistant to perform general cleaning, cage preparation, and stock management in the mouse and guinea pig breeding unit. The role requires following SOPs and supporting daily animal husbandry.

The incumbent will ensure equipment is functioning, assist with transport of supplies, and maintain stock levels of consumables, with a focus on accuracy and timeliness in a values-driven environment at AHRI.

Qualifications

• Minimum Matric or equivalent qualification.
• 2–4 years’ experience working with animals.
• 1–2 years’ lab experience would be advantageous.
• Active listening, time management and ability to follow instructions are required.

Responsibilities

• Cleaning and sanitizing the unit (level O) including cages and animal rooms.
• Prepare cages, water bottles and food for designated areas.
• Assist with transport of litter, waste, equipment and supplies per SOPs.
• Ensure equipment required for daily management of the unit is functioning and report issues.
• Maintain stock levels of food, bedding and consumables and place orders as needed.
• General cleaning of the unit, floors, surfaces and waste removal.
• Assist with disinfection and routine animal husbandry as per SOPs.

Skills

Active listening

Time management

Taking instruction

Education

Matric or equivalent qualification

Job description

The application closing date:

10 Sept 2026

Description:

The Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is seeking a highly motivated Laboratory General Assistant. The incumbent will be responsible for the general cleaning and sanitizing of the unit (level O - mouse and guinea pig breeding unit), including cages, racks, animal rooms, storage and support areas as per standard operating procedures.

The incumbent will also be required to prepare cages, water bottles and food for designated areas as needed, and assist with the transport of litter, feed, waste materials, equipment and supplies as per SOPs.

The incumbent will additionally be responsible for ensuring equipment required for daily managing of the unit is functioning and report technical problems to the supervisor. He/she will also ensure that stock levels of food, bedding and consumables are maintained and request for orders to be placed timeously.

• Preparing food and water for all animals.
• Preparing clean cages and assisting with cage changing.
• Maintaining feed, bedding and consumable stock.
• General cleaning of the unit, to include floors, corridors, surfaces and removal of waste.
• Routine assistance with disinfection of unit as per SOP.
• Routine animal husbandry as per SOP.

Minimum Qualifications

• Matric or equivalent qualification.

Minimum Experience

• 2–4 years’ experience working with animals.
• 1–2 years’ lab experience would be advantageous.

Skills Required

• Active listening;
• Time management;
• Taking instruction

Worker Type:

Employee

AHRI is a values-driven organisation. As an employer we are committed to staff engagement and development. Our culture is one of high performance and partnership.

Our values

The successful candidate will be expected to live by AHRI’s values, including collaboration, ubuntu, leadership, innovation, transformation, and excellence.

Employment equity

AHRI is fully compliant with South African labour law and is committed to employment equity. This position is primarily open to South African or other African applicants, with a valid work permit desirable. AHRI reserves the right in special circumstances to accept late applications or to extend the above date to facilitate further searches. Furthermore, AHRI reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.