General Laboratory Assistant

AHRI; Durban; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is seeking a Laboratory General Assistant to support the mouse and guinea pig breeding unit with cleaning, cage preparation, feeding and daily husbandry. The role includes maintaining stock of consumables and reporting equipment issues to the supervisor.

The ideal candidate will have Matric, 2–4 years in animal handling, and prefer 1–2 years in a lab setting. Employment is full-time with AHRI values-driven culture.

Qualifications

• Matric or equivalent qualification.
• 2–4 years' experience working with animals.
• 1–2 years' lab experience would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Active listening

Time management

Taking instruction

Education

Matric / Grade 12

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Matric or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum Experience: 2-4 years experience working with animals.
• 1-2 years lab experience would be advantageous.

Skills

• Active listening
• Time management
• Taking instruction

Employment Type

Worker Type: Employee

Company Culture

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.

About AHRI

Africa Health Research Institute's vision is optimal health and well-being of under-resourced populations. Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is an independent, transdisciplinary scientific research institute based across two campuses in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa. AHRI's research combines population, basic and translational, social, and clinical sciences to understand and intervene in the health and well-being of South African communities. AHRI works in partnership with local communities and South African academic, governmental, and other policy stakeholders and collaborates with over 60 institutions globally. AHRI prioritises the training of the next generation of African scientists. The work lives of AHRI's ~700 scientists, students and staff members are driven by our values: ubuntu, transformation, leadership, innovation, excellence and collaboration.