Laboratory Assistant (P003262)

North-West University; Potchefstroom; On-site; ZAR 50,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in South Africa is seeking a Laboratory Assistant for the Potchefstroom campus. This role includes maintaining laboratory cleanliness, managing inventory, and ensuring health and safety compliance. Candidates should have at least five years of experience in handling chemicals and laboratory cleaning. The position offers permanent employment with responsibilities that include administrative tasks and messenger work as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years experience in handling chemicals.
• At least five years experience in laboratory cleaning.
• One year experience in administration tasks.

Responsibilities

• Maintain tidiness and perform cleaning tasks in the laboratory.
• Safely handle and remove biohazard waste.
• Manage inventory and order necessary materials.

Skills

Handling chemicals

Laboratory cleaning

Inventory management

Health and safety compliance

Education

Grade 12 (NQF Level 4)

Job description

Overview

NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHESFTROOM CAMPUS) FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
POSITION NUMBER : P003262VACANCY : LABORATORY ASSISTANTPEROMNES GRADE : 13EMPLOYMENT TYPE : PERMANENT APPOINTMENT

Duties & Responsibilities

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The laboratory has a need for a dedicated person for area tidiness smaller lab administrative tasks safe handling of all types of laboratory waste and internal courier services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Laboratory cleaning and administrative tasks
• Washing glassware
• Daily basis / continuously / as requested – labs must always have clean glassware available
• Removal of Biohazard Waste – Daily basis / continuously / as requested
• Remove containers only labelled clearly
• Cleaning of Fridges & Freezers & Temperature monitoring – Clearing ice build-up weekly / as needed
• Monitoring temperatures daily / checking on fridge / freezer as needed
• After-hours monitoring as requested by the Section head
• Inventory management & placing orders for various waste containers to the responsible person
• Placing orders for inventory to A-Thermal weekly via email
• Requesting waste pick-ups weekly to A-Thermal via email
• Inventory management & placing orders for various cleaning materials to Senior Admin – Monthly / as requested
• Cleaning laboratories storerooms & labs; Keeping all areas neat daily
• Removing empty glass bottles from laboratories & discard – Daily basis / continuously / as requested
• Checking and changing gas bottles as requested by Lab analysts
• Messenger work – Always be available for urgent messenger work
• Collecting courier packages & mail; Delivery of parcels to relevant people & laboratories
• Parcels received by reception; Collection of orders from various NWU on-campus stores; Receiving parcels
• Includes receiving delivering and being part of the email chain; When requested be available in the office when reception is on leave
• Health and Safety – Filling in weekly / monthly checklists; Reporting any issues to Safety Representative; Maintenance of First aid kits
• Attend First Aid & other safety courses; Occupational Health and Safety Officer duties
• Will be appointed as a safety officer after completion of training; Various safety duties are to be discussed for labs & day to day
• Kitchen cleaning – Kitchens / glassware / labs cleaning; Attend to all necessary areas where cleaning up is required
• Ad-Hoc – As directed by manager

Qualifications & Experience

• Grade 12 (NQF Level 4).
• A minimum of five (5) years experience in handling chemicals.
• A proven minimum of five (5) years experience in laboratory cleaning.
• A proven minimum of 1 year experience in performing administration tasks

ADDED ADVANTAGES :

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in laboratory safety.
• Computer literacy.
• General knowledge about POPI Act.
• Familiarity with ISO requirements for laboratory quality management

Remuneration & Enquiries

REMUNERATION : The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO : Mr Grant Maasdorp ( )

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO : Tirhani Baloyi

CLOSING DATE : 26 June 2025

PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES : As soon as possible

Kindly take note : applications must be submitted online through the official nwu vacancy website. Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.

If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

It all starts here

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1