Senior Technical Officer

University of the Western Cape; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

University of the Western Cape (UWC) invites applications for a permanent Senior Technical Officer in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, within the Faculty of Natural Sciences. The role focuses on developing undergraduate laboratory experiments, managing laboratories and demonstrators, and ensuring equipment usability and safety.

Candidates should have ABSc-Honours or equivalent in Physics or Engineering, with at least two years of undergraduate teaching in laboratories, strong planning,

Qualifications

• ABSc-Honours degree in a Physics or Engineering-related field.
• At least two years’ experience in undergraduate teaching in laboratories.
• Proficiency in digital literacy and at least one programming language; equipment calibration and maintenance; laboratory health and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise in the development of undergraduate laboratory experiments.
• Participate in inventory control and procurement of laboratory equipment, and administer laboratories and demonstrators.
• Use relevant educational technology in the design of undergraduate experimental activities.
• Conduct teaching of practicals.

Skills

Laboratory teaching

Programming languages

Digital literacy

Technical skills

Planning & organizing

Communication skills

Education

ABSc-Honours or equivalent

Tools

Laboratory equipment maintenance

Job description

Share this job as a link in your status update to LinkedIn.

Title of Position

Senior Technical Officer

Post Number

T072 (ITS 2359/S678)

Faculty/Department

University of the Western Cape -> Natural Sciences -> Physics & Astronomy

Type of Position

Permanent - Full Time

Length of Contract Period

N/A

Closing Date

30/10/2026

Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a vibrant, diverse and dynamic university, rooted in the African continent with an increasing global reach. UWC actively responds in critical and creative ways to the development needs of the country, within an ever-changing and challenging global context.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of the Western Cape is internationally recognised for its excellence in teaching and research. The faculty comprises nine academic departments, a School of Pharmacy and a number of world-class research institutes and centres. The faculty offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the major scientific disciplines and a professional degree in Pharmacy.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of the Western Cape educates large numbers of undergraduate and post-graduate students. Practical experimental work forms an integral part of undergraduate physics education. The Department invites applications for a permanent position of a Senior Technical Officer.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key responsibility areas:

• Provide expertise in the development of undergraduate laboratory experiments.
• Participate in the inventory control and procurement of laboratory equipment, as well as the administration of laboratories and demonstrators.
• Use relevant educational technology in the design of undergraduate experimental activities.
• Conduct teaching of practicals
• AB.Sc-Honours degree in a Physics or Engineering-related field.
• At least two years’ experience in undergraduate teaching in laboratories.
• Possess the technical skills needed to maintain teaching laboratories, including:digital literacy and proficiency in, at least, one of the programming languages; equipment calibration and maintenance; laboratory health and safety compliance.
• Excellent technical Skills
• Excellent planning and organizing skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with University stakeholders to process the application. In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.