REPRODUCTION BIOTECHNOLOGIST
(24-month contract, Payclass 9)
RESEARCH ANIMAL FACILITY
FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
The position’s purpose is to efficiently manage, operate and maintain the UCT Research Animal Facility’s rodent Reproduction
Biotechnology Laboratory at a high quality-standard; to perform efficient in vitro fertilisation, microscopic embryo-transfer,
embryo & sperm cryopreservation, rederivation and related assisted-reproduction procedures; to refine and trouble-shoot
Standard Operating Procedures and to conduct detailed quality control in order to reliably generate viable specified pathogenfree (SPF) rodents.
Requirements include:

National Diploma (i.e. laboratory animal technologist, veterinary technologist or veterinary nurse), or a B.Tech or BSc
degree in animal or human reproduction science

Minimum of 2 years proven practical experience working without supervision in an embryology (i.e. in vitro fertilisation)
laboratory

Competent in all aspects of routine practical embryology, including the processing, culture, in vitro fertilisation,
cryopreservation and thawing of sperm and embryos, associated microscope work, and involvement in embryo and oocyte
collection procedures

Willingness to implant embryos into foster rodents, and to obtain authorisation from the South African Veterinary Council
to do so

Ability to work diligently, responsibly, efficiently and unsupervised according to strict Standard Operating Procedures

Fluency in written and spoken English, good communication skills and professional report compilation

Ability to refine and trouble-shoot Standard Operating Procedures in order to improve efficiency

Good time management, ability to maintain an organised workflow and strict aseptic technique

Good working knowledge of formal Quality Control and Quality Assurance processes

Ability to visually observe detail at close range with good depth perception

Willingness to work after-hours and on weekends as required

Ability to work independently and within a team
Advantageous:

Post-graduate qualification in animal or human reproduction science

Registration with or authorisation by the South African Veterinary Council to perform procedures on laboratory animals

Practical experience in rodent reproduction biotechnology, including semen and embryo technologies
Responsibilities include:

Management of the UCT Reproduction Biotechnology Laboratory, including performing all practical procedures, coordinating and overseeing daily functioning, equipment maintenance, placing orders, maintaining detailed inventory, detailed
record keeping, etc.

Performing efficient embryo-transfer, in vitro fertilisation and embryo culture, cryopreservation of sperm and embryos,
thawing of cryopreserved sperm & embryos

Refining and trouble-shooting Standard Operating Procedures in order to improve operational efficiency

Designing, implementing and refining Quality Control systems and processes to monitor all operations

Quarantine management to control the movement of rodents into the Specified Pathogen-Free unit

Professional reporting to the Director of the Research Animal Facility and liaison with researchers
A detailed job description is available on request.
The annual remuneration for this full-time, 24-month contract is R161 344 to R300 021, dependent on qualification
experience.
Provisional starting date: 1 June 2013 or earlier
Application process:
To apply, please forward the completed UCT Application form (HR201) and all other relevant documentation as indicated on
the form, including your curriculum vitae, with the subject line “Reproduction Biotechnologist, followed by the reference
number to Ms Siziwe Xozwa at Siziwe.Xozwa@uct.ac.za
Telephone: 021 404 -7752
Fax: 021 406- 6626
The application form can be downloaded at http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/sapweb/forms/hr201.doc
An application that does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete. Only shortlisted
candidates will be contacted.
Reference number for this post: 2430
Closing date for applications: 25 May 2013
UCT is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at
http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf
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