Junior Technical Assistant

Stellenbosch University; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution located in Stellenbosch is seeking a Junior Technical Assistant for a fixed-term contract. The successful applicant will assist researchers and students in various field and laboratory tasks, including collecting samples and capturing data. Candidates must hold a Grade 12 Certificate with Physical Sciences and Mathematics, possess driving experience, and demonstrate good organizational skills. This role requires physical fitness, flexibility, and proficiency in MS Office.

Qualifications

• Valid South African Driver's licence with at least three years' driving experience.
• Physically fit to perform field work and collect soil samples.
• Willingness to travel and work in remote locations.

Responsibilities

• Assisting researchers and students with field and laboratory work.
• Collecting soil and planting samples for field trials.
• Independently collecting and capturing field project data.

Skills

Basic proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Good organisational skills

Responsible and reliable

Education

Grade 12 Certificate with Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Job description

Department Description/Departement Beskrywing

Faculty of AgriSciences

Department of Soil Science

Junior Technical Assistant (Post Level 15) (Four-year fixed-term contract appointment) Ref. AW05/024/0226

Duties/Pligte

• Assisting researchers and students with field and laboratory work.
• Collecting soil (using auger/corers/spades) and planting samples in field trials.
• Independently collecting and capturing field project data (e.g. weekly soil moisture readings).
• Driving researchers and students to field sites.
• Preparing soil and plant samples for analysis.
• Assisting with chemical preparations in the laboratory.
• Performing routine basic soil chemical and physical analyses.
• Assisting with organising and setting up undergraduate field and laboratory practicals.
• Organising and keeping departmental laboratories, soil preparation and storage facilities clean and orderly.
• Assisting with general maintenance of basic laboratory equipment.
• Transporting research equipment and field samples.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

• Grade 12 Certificate with Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) and Mathematics.
• A valid South African Driver's licence with at least three years' driving experience.
• Physically fit to perform field work and collect soil samples.
• Willingness to travel and work in remote locations.
• Willingness to work in all weather conditions.
• Basic proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Willingness to work flexible hours when performing field work.
• Language proficiency for a multilingual university.

Recommendation/Aanbeveling

• Experience with field research.
• Experience working in a laboratory or tertiary education environment
• Good organisational skills
• Responsible and reliable

How To Apply/Hoe Om Aansoek Te Doen

The University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the institutional EE Plan. Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and email addresses of at least three references), must reach the University before or on the closing date in the advertisement. Apply online at https://www.su.ac.za/en/careers-su by clicking "Apply now" at the top to the right of the page for the specific vacancy. The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates. The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires people in occupations that entail potential exposure to certain hazards (such as noise, hazardous chemical substances and hazardous biological agents) to undergo medical screening to determine whether they be fit to work in those occupations. If you have received no feedback from the University after four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application was unsuccessful.

Enquiries about this post: Prof Cathy Clarke on 021 808 3659, or at [e-mail]

Enquiries about remuneration/benefits and technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch), or 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at [e-mail]

Currency

Commencement Date 01-Apr-2026

Closing Date 02-Mar-2026