Position Title: Laboratory Manager: Centre for Minerals Research (CMR), Chemical Engineering (EBE)
LABORATORY MANAGER
(Permanent Post; Payclass 9)
Centre for Minerals Research (CMR), Department of Chemical Engineering
Faculty Of Engineering and the Built Environment
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is one of the leading higher education institutions on the African continent. It embraces a tradition of academic excellence that is respected worldwide. The academic project remains at the heart of UCT’s mission, which is built on three pillars at the core of Vision 2030: excellence, transformation, and sustainability.
The Department of Chemical Engineering enjoys an international reputation in teaching and research and is actively committed to teaching and research. The undergraduate degree programme is accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Research is carried out in the areas of bioprocess engineering, catalysis and catalytic processing, engineering education, environmental systems and process systems engineering, minerals processing, precipitation and crystallisation, energy systems modelling, and sea ice. The Department enjoys strong, global industrial support for its teaching and research programmes, and maintains close links with the South African chemical, petrochemical, biotechnological and minerals industries.
The Centre for Minerals Research (CMR) is a multi-disciplinary research centre within the Department of Chemical Engineering, which provides a dynamic and exciting research, teaching and learning environment. The CMR hosts academics, research and administrative staff, postdoctoral fellows, Doctoral and Masters’ students. Our main areas of research are comminution, classification, flotation, and process mineralogy. The number of researchers and research students in the Centre range generally between 30-40 in any given year.
The CMR seeks a proactive and skilled Laboratory Manager to lead our laboratory team, ensuring efficient operations and supporting cutting-edge research. The CMR’s large (670m2), active laboratories require effective management of three full-time staff members, contract employees, and students, with numerous student research projects and industry-funded initiatives running concurrently.
The ideal candidate will have experience in industrial laboratory management with time-sensitive deliverables, and the ability to foster collaboration among academic staff, professional, administrative and support staff, and students to ensure smooth operations.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop, implement and uphold laboratory procedures, protocols, and housekeeping standards
- Procure and oversee laboratory consumables and equipment, ensuring optimal inventory management
- Coordinate and manage laboratory equipment maintenance
- Serve as the CMR Safety Representative, working with lab supervisors to maintain day-to-day SHE compliance
- Oversee recruitment, management, and professional development of laboratory staff
- Oversee the laboratory activities of postgraduate students
- Manage infrastructure and facilities, including ore stores, laboratories and off-campus store
- Coordinate and manage training of postgraduate students in safe equipment usage
Requirements for the position:
- BSc or BTech or higher degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry or closely related discipline
- Minimum of 5 years’ relevant laboratory management experience
- Demonstrated experience in staff and laboratory operational management
- Comprehensive knowledge of occupational health and safety standards in laboratory settings
- High computer proficiency (MS Office)
- Proven experience in budgeting and financial oversight
- Demonstrable technical aptitude for mechanical equipment troubleshooting and maintenance
- Possession of a valid driver’s license
The following will be advantageous:
- Familiarity with laboratory management systems
The 2025 annual cost of employment, including benefits, ranges between R513 345 and R603 933.
To apply, please visit the UCT Internal Careers site (For Internal Applicants) and UCT Careers site (For external Applicants) to create a profile and submit your application.
Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:
- A 1-2 letter of motivation
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copies of ID/passport and highest academic qualification
- Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address, and telephone number
Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency assessments and deliver a presentation to the department. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo preplacement medical tests.
Any inquiries for this position are to be addressed to Ms Abigail Dixon at abigail.dixon@uct.ac.za or 021 650 1673. Please do not send or submit job application/CV via this e-mail.
Closing Date: 31 January 2025 Website: www.ebe.uct.ac.za
UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at https://uct.ac.za/media/9482.
UCT reserves the right not to appoint.