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)
Laboratory Manager (Senior Scientific Officer)
Status of Post (tick)
New Post
Job Grade (current grade)
Payclass 9
Faculty (if applicable)
Engineering and the Built Environment
Department
Chemical Engineering
Section (if applicable)
Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER)
Date of Compilation
18 November 2013
√
Re-evaluation
FOR OFFICE USE
Position Title
Job Title
Date of Grading
Grading Result
ORGANOGRAM
CeBER Director
Assoc.
Professor
SRO
Senior
lecturer
Postdoctoral
research
fellows (~6)
Technical
Officer
(molecular
biology)
Research
Officers
PA
Senior Scientific
Officer = Lab
Manager
Research
Intern
Research
assistant
Senior Admin.
Officer
Admin
assistant
Postgraduate
students
(~35-40)
PURPOSE
The main purpose of this position is to direct and control the affairs and interests of the Centre’s
laboratories while ensuring good lab practice and the highest standards with respect to HSE.
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JOB CONTENT
Key Performance Areas (4 – 6)
1) Management of the research centre’s
laboratories’ resources and infrastructure
% of
time
spent
Activities / Objectives / Tasks
Results / Outcomes
Competencies
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2) Management of the CeBER Health and
Safety
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19 June 2012
Overseeing the sourcing, ordering and
purchasing of chemicals, reagents and
consumables
Maintenance of the purchasing system
for chemicals and equipment
Ensure the analytical methods database
is updated as new standard methods
become appropriate
Be the contact point for staff and post
graduate students outside the Centre
regarding use of CeBER resources,
including technical issues and advice
relating to CeBER’s practices and
equipment
Develop and maintain
a good
relationship with a network of
representatives
from
supply
(consumables) and service (equipment
maintenance) companies. Maintain a
database,
with
current
contact
information, of these people
Generate and oversee implementation of
rosters for laboratory duty and weekend
cover. Contribute to weekend cover
Organise and oversee a laboratory clean
up and stock take twice a year
Maintain records of chemical/glassware
inventory
Ensure lab housekeeping is of high
standard
Responsible for waste control and
disposal
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Well-functioning laboratory with
smoothly operating systems
Minimised downtime on equipment
Good communication
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 HSE procedures implemented to the
highest standard
 All post graduate students are
provided with a comprehensive safety
technical aptitude
knowledge of a
selection of analytical
methodologies and
instruments, such as
spectroscopy and
chromatography
the ability to work in a
multi-disciplinary
research environment
interpersonal skills
good interaction with
undergraduate and
postgraduate students,
good communication
skills,
excellent organisational
skills, planning and
multi-tasking skills.
 Up-to –date knowledge
of HSE regulations
 good interaction with
undergraduate and
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3) Management and maintenance of
existing equipment as well as planning and
procurement of future equipment, in
discussion with the Director
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Overseeing gas stores, gas inventories
and fittings (regulators and gauges).
Organise and contribute to the afterhours stand-by duty incurred for the
control and safety of students involved in
long term experiments, major power
failures regarding the 4 deg cold room,
walk-in - 20C° freezer and an emergency
air compressor
Regular testing of safety showers and
eyewash stations
Together with the Director, conduct the
quarterly safety inspection and complete
the reporting
Ensure the MSDS database is kept up to
date and the information is readily
accessible
Sign off on project safety data sheets and
OREPs with Director and project
supervisor
Compile incident reports in the event of a
health or safety incident
induction
 Information on hazardous chemicals is
readily accessible, if needed
postgraduate students,
 good communication
skills
Management of walk-in temperature
controlled mini laboratories;
A basic knowledge is required regarding
all equipment housed in the laboratory,
including analytical, mechanical and
electronic equipment and associated
software. This knowledge will be
supplemented by subject experts in the
group - the lab manager is expected to
arrange the succession planning of this
expert knowledge in an itinerant student
group.
For all equipment, including analytical,
mechanical and electronic equipment,
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Well- functioning and calibrated
equipment
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Meet specified minimal downtime
of equipment
Meet requirements on data quality
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Good network of
laboratory agents and
support
Working knowledge of
diverse analytical
equipment
Excellent
communication
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4) Development and implementation of
“best laboratory practice” skills and
knowledge
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5) Responsibility for the logistics,
coordination and induction of annual 4th
year Chemical Engineering honors
students’ projects
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19 June 2012
ensure simple servicing and repairs can
be undertaken in- house and appropriate
servicing and maintenance delivered by
agents. Repairs and assessments involve
close regular contact and interaction with
the departmental workshop staff as well
as other workshop staff across the
various faculties. Major repairs involve
liaison with outside contractors.
Where necessary. Respond to equipment
failures or similar, after hours
Responsible for laboratory induction for all
new researchers.
Give training on use of equipment. Provide
interactive training to postgraduate
students according to the needs identified
by the management team.
Provide basic technical support to the
Centre’s research assistants and interns.
Assist project groups and student
supervisors with set-up of experimental
apparatus and optimisation of analytical
procedures
Liaise with technical staff within the
Department
and
other
University
departments to facilitate short term loan
of apparatus if required
Perform laboratory induction for project
students
Ensure project students return the
laboratory to its former condition prior to
sign-out
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 All research conducted within the
Centre is performed in accordance
with laboratory best practice
Good working knowledge of
“good lab practice”
Skills in small group training
 Accommodation of final year project
students does not unduly impact on
core research activities and resourcerelated conflict is minimized
 Laboratories are returned to normal
working order upon completion of
project
 Crisis management
 Inventory management
 Communication skills
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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications
BTech
Preferably BSc degree with postgraduate training
Minimum Experience
Significant experience (3 - 5 years) in the research environment or industry.
Demonstrable experience in laboratory management
AUTHORITY
PRINT NAME
SIGNATURE
Compiled by
CONTACT NO.
DATE
18 Nov 2013
Approved by
Reviewed by
19 June 2012
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