Stellenbosch University Faculty of Science Department of Physiological Sciences Technical Officer (Job Level 10.1) Ref. NW04/314/1124 The Department of Physiological Sciences in the Faculty of Science at Stellenbosch University (SU) teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules on all systems of human physiology, including: the human body as a unit, organs, tissues, cells and integrative physiology in response to external or internal stressors. We have very active research groups focusing on diseases associated with lifestyle or cellular injury, including cancer, cardio-oncology, cardio-metabolic and integrated metabolic research, clinical hemorheology, muscle research, bio-inspired drug delivery research and neurodegenerative diseases. Research models include healthy and diseased human volunteers, or samples derived from patients and small laboratory animal models simulating human pathological conditions. The abovementioned allow the researchers to investigate mechanisms of the adaptive responses to internal or external stressors or molecular drivers of the pathology, whole body and tissue sample analysis, and in vitro cell and molecular aspects. (See our website for our research focus areas: Duties: Tissue culture laboratory Managing the tissue culture laboratory. Providing technical support regarding various techniques employed by academic staff and postgraduate students with their research. Responsible for maintaining tissue culture-associated equipment, including flow hoods, incubators, and liquid nitrogen storage. Supporting the departmental administrative and operational activities associated with the equipment maintenance and laboratory supplies. Departmental support Assisting with the implementation and sustainability of safety measures within the Department. Liaising with the Universitys service departments i.e. maintenance services. Liaises with external service providers in terms of obtaining quotations and placing of orders. Responsible for preparing and offering support for practicals / tutorial sessions at undergraduate and honours levels. Requirements: At least an MSc degree in physiological sciences or a related discipline. Proven relevant post-degree laboratory experience, specifically managing a large tissue culture environment (multiple hoods, multiple incubators, large student cohort). Proven proficiency in physiological and tissue culture, cell biology and molecular techniques, including experience in: o Cell propagation and freezing; o Cell transfection techniques; o Cell imaging techniques; o Advanced cell culture models, such as organoids, spheroids and primary cell culture techniques. Experience in laboratory workflow and laboratory environment maintenance. Proven experience in the management and training of postgraduate student cohorts, at Honours, MSc, PhD and post-doctoral fellow level. Experience in supporting human and / or animal related research programmes. Excellent computer skills in the use of the Microsoft Office package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook). Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Applications that do not comply with the minimum requirements, or is received after the closing date, will not be considered. Recommendations: A PhD in physiological sciences or a related discipline will be advantageous. Experience in BSL-2 workflow and environment maintenance. Experience in research ethics (human, and / or small laboratory animals). Experience in the use of specialised hardware and software for cell analysis (e.g. FIJI). Experience in the use of specialised hardware and software for teaching physiological practicals (e.g. BIOPAC or ADInstruments PowerLab and LabTutor) as applied to various models including human volunteers. Record of formal health and safety training.
