Laboratory Assistant

St John's D.S.G; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Positive school culture

Career development opportunities

Job summary

St John’s D.S.G. is seeking a Laboratory Assistant / Administrator to support the Academic team in maintaining laboratory facilities, equipment, and stock.

The role includes stock control, processing quotations and orders, invoicing, and ensuring high-quality goods for practical sessions. You will also support the Consumer Studies team in kitchen-related practicals and perform general administrative duties to ensure smooth operations.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 completion is required.
• Minimum 2 years' laboratory experience and stock management.
• Administration qualification is advantageous.
• Laboratory skills: prepare solutions, weigh chemicals, and set up titrations.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel).
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Clear criminal clearance certificate required.

Responsibilities

• Set up laboratory equipment for practicals and experiments.
• Organise and catalogue equipment and chemicals.
• Assist with stock taking and obtain supplier quotations.
• Place stock orders, stock receipting/issuing, and invoicing.
• Maintain quality of goods purchased for the laboratories.
• Assist Consumer Studies team with practicals in the kitchen.
• Provide general administrative support (scanning, shredding, printing, stapling).

Skills

Lab equipment mgmt

MS Office

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Grade 12

Administration qualification (advantage)

Tools

Stock management software

Job description

The Laboratory Assistant is accountable to support the Academic team by ensuring the smooth running of the St John’s D.S.G. laboratories. He/she is responsible for providing a high level of service by ensuring that the laboratory equipment and resources are well looked after and are set up correctly for practicals / experiments, etc. as and when required. He/she will ensure organisation and cataloging of equipment and chemicals on an ongoing basis. He/she is also accountable to assist with stock take, obtaining quotations from suppliers, placing orders for stock, stock receipting / issuing, invoicing, and maintaining the quality of goods purchased for the laboratories. The Laboratory Assistant is also responsible for assisting the Consumer Studies team for all their practicals in the kitchen. The person in this role will also provide support to the team with general administration, scanning, shredding, printing, stapling and ensuring excellent printing quality for the academic team.

TO QUALIFY TO JOIN OUR SCHOOL AS A LABORATORY ASSISTANT / ADMINISTRATOR YOU WOULD:

• Have successfully completed Grade 12.
• Have min. 2 years of experience working in a laboratory and managing equipment and stock.
• Have a relevant tertiary qualification, e.g. administration, etc. (advantageous).
• Have laboratory skills, e.g. being able to make up a solution of a given concentration; use a mass balance to weigh out chemicals; set up a titration, etc.
• Be fully computer literate and proficient using MS Office applications, e.g. Word, Excel, etc.
• Be engaging, honest, genuine, and kind.
• Have excellent teamwork, communication and collaboration skills.
• Have strong values that align to the Christian ethos of the school.
• Have a clear criminal clearance certificate.

OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE THAT YOU WOULD:

• Be highly organised.
• Have a strong attention to detail and work with a high level of accuracy.
• Be deadline-driven and self-led to manage your work outcomes effectively.
• Work with a customer service approach to support the academic team.

THE BENEFITS FOR YOU ARE THAT:

• You will work as a Laboratory Assistant / Administrator in a school with a positive, happy and supportive culture.
• You will have many opportunities to continue developing your skills.

Closing Date: 3pm on 21 October 2026

Position Available: 1st January 2027

St John’s D.S.G. is an equal opportunity employer. The School’s Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. St John’s D.S.G. supports the recruitment of people with disabilities.

St John’s D.S.G., in line with POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act) will attempt to ensure the confidentiality of all applicants for this role. All reasonable measures will be in place to protect personal information but will be used in the recruitment, selection, and reporting process. By submitting your application for this position, you are recognising and accepting this disclaimer.