HR191
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Forms must be downloaded from the UCT website: http://www.uct.ac.za/depts/sapweb/forms/forms.htm
This form serves as a template for the writing of job descriptions.
A copy of this form should be kept on file in your office.
For re-evaluations, this form must be sent to your relevant HR Advisor/Officer
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title (current title)
Senior Technical Officer
Status of Post (tick)
New Post
X
Re-evaluation
Job Grade (current grade)
Faculty (if applicable)
EBE
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Section (if applicable)
Centre for Materials Engineering
Date of Compilation
18 April 2012
FOR OFFICE USE
Job Title
Date of Grading
Grading Result
ORGANOGRAM
Head of Department
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Director
CENTRE FOR MATERIALS
ENGINEERING
Senior Technical Officer
CENTRE FOR MATERIALS
ENGINEERING
Senior Technical Officer
CENTRE FOR MATERIALS
ENGINEERING
Part-time Admin Assistant
CENTRE FOR MATERIALS
ENGINEERING
PURPOSE
The main purpose of this position is to support the director in the execution of administrative and
technical functions related to the research operations within the Centre for Materials Engineering
(CME). The incumbent will interact with researchers and technical and administrative staff to
assist in achieving the objectives and specific goals of CME.
5 August 2009
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HR191
JOB CONTENT
Key Performance Areas (4 – 6)
1) Provide training and consultation
for operation of Gleeble 3800
thermo-mechanical simulator.
2) Assist director with liaison with
external sponsors, preparation of
research contracts, and submission
of research deliverables.
% of
time
spent
35
10
3) Provide editorial assistance with
20
newsletters, website and submission
of research publications.
5 August 2009
Activities / Objectives / Tasks
(a) Assist users with the operation
of the Gleeble machine.
(b) Provide technical assistance to
researchers in designing
experiments on the Gleeble.
(c) Promote access to Gleeble for
external users.
(d) Translate external user
requirements to specific
tasks/experiments.
(a) Assist director with preparation
of research proposals,
contracts and budgets.
(b) Assist in the compilation of
reports as per required
contract deliverables.
(c) Maintain regular liaison with
external sponsors.
(a) Regular review and update of
CME website.
(b) Assist with compilation of
regular research newsletter.
(c) Provide editorial assistance
w.r.t. submission of conference
and journal research papers.
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Results / Outcomes
Competencies
(a) Optimal and safe operation
of the Gleeble machine.
(b) High quality data
generation.
(c) Established and efficient
external user group.
(d) Satisfactory deliverable for
the NRF.
(a) Research
expertise in
physical
metallurgy.
(b) Technically
competent in
the operation of
the Gleeble
3800 machine.
(a) Efficient and fast
submission of
proposals/contracts to meet
deadline requirements.
(b) Timely delivery of high
quality research
reports/deliverables to
external sponsors.
(a) Effective promotion of CME
to wider research and
industrial community.
(b) High success rate in the
translation of research
output to good quality
conference and journal
papers.
(a) Good
organisational
and communication skills.
(b) Good writing
skills.
(a) Broad
knowledge of
materials
science and
engineering
subject matter.
(b) Good
organisational
and communication skills.
(c) Good writing
skills.
HR191
4) Preparation of financial reports.
5
5) Liaison with external electron
microscopy service providers.
20
6) Management of specialized
research equipment.
10
5 August 2009
(a) Income/expenditure
reconciliation for specific
research
projects/programmes.
(b) Preparation of financial
statement summary and
budget forecast.
(c) Maintain student scholarship
records.
(a) Consult with UCT Electron
Microscope Unit regarding
training needs for
postgraduate/honours
students.
(b) Promote regular interaction
with Eskom Materials Science
partner at NMMU.
(a) Accurate record and
assessment of CME
financial position.
(b) Presentation of financial
trends to facilitate budget
planning.
(a) Ability to
communicate
effectively with
admin assistant.
(b) Basic skills in
business
accounting.
(a) High quality electron
microscopy skills
development for research
students.
(b) Integration of facilities and
expertise at NMMU with
Eskom Materials Science
programme at UCT
(a) Assist in the preparation of
operation manuals and safety
procedures for multi-user
research equipment.
(b) Ensure that continuity in
knowledge concerning
specialised equipment is
maintained.
(a) Comprehensive set of
equipment manuals for safe
operation.
(b) Optimum use and
maintenance of specialist
equipment.
(a) Knowledge of
electron
microscopy
requirements in
materials
science.
(b) Good
communication
skills.
(a) Broad
knowledge of
materials
engineering.
(b) General
engineering
skills.
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Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
MSc(Eng) in Materials Engineering, OR
BSc(Eng) in Materials Engineering with substantial research experience.
Minimum Experience
3 years research experience.
AUTHORITY
PRINT NAME
SIGNATURE
Compiled by
CONTACT NO.
DATE
22 April 2012
Approved by
Reviewed by
5 August 2009
Page 4 of 4
HR191