Principal Technician

School:                 School of Mining Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

Position:              PRINCIPAL TECHNICIAN.3.04

Description:

The School of Mining Engineering at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, is regarded as Africa’s largest mining engineering school and currently ranks among the top worldwide in the QS World University Rankings by subject area. The School currently has about 550 undergraduate and 200 postgraduate students, with 23 Academic and 12 Technical and Administrative staff positions. The School invites applications for the permanent position of Principal Technician to provide technical expertise and support to enable research and teaching.

Requirements:

• Tool Jig and Diemaker/Fitter and Turner (Trade tested red seal)
• Excellent hands-on technical skills with machines and power tools.
• At least 10 years of related experience, 3 years of which should be in a supervisory position.
• Good interpersonal skills, good verbal and written communication skills, good planning and organising skills, and good computer skills.

Advantages:

• Critical knowledge in rock sample preparation, polishing and strain gauging (Wheatstone bridge 3-wire gauging).
• An above-average knowledge of hydraulics.

Duties:

The successful applicant will report to the Head of School (or her/his designate) and will be responsible for:

Leadership & Management

• Leading and coordinating a cohesive technical team, including the Senior Technician and Workshop Assistants.
• Managing the day-to-day operations of the Gold Fields Laboratory (e.g., rock sampling, environmental, materials, structures, geotechnical, transportation).
• Overseeing the manufacture, procurement, operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment and facilities.
• Periodically revising Standard Operating Procedures.

Teaching & Research Support

• Supporting teaching, learning and research activities in all laboratories, both on- and off-campus.
• Preparing and processing rock samples for student demonstrations, postgraduate projects and academic research.
• Providing technical support for experiments and, where appropriate, contributing to research outputs.

Health, Safety & Compliance

Ensuring full compliance with Occupational Health, Safety & Environment (OHS&E) protocols in the Gold Fields laboratory and other School facilities.

Other Responsibilities

Performing additional duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Head of School.

Enquiries: Dr Paseka Leeuw, Head of School of Mining Engineering, Tel no. +27 11 717 7420; E-mail: [email protected].

To apply: External applicants are invited to apply by registering on the Wits i-Recruitment platform located at https://irec.wits.ac.za and submitting applications. Internal employees are invited to apply directly on Oracle by following the path: iWits/Self Service Application/“Apply for a job”. Letter of application and CV with the names and contact details (including e-mail addresses) of three referees, as well as certified copies of degrees/diplomas and SA ID (passport if not South African) can also be sent to: The Human Resources Manager; Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa (E-mail: [email protected]).

 Closing date for applications:  31 March 2026

The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the under-represented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University. The University reserves the right to verify all information provided by candidates and to verify credit standing. The university can continue searching after the closing date until the position is filled. Correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates. Shortlisted applicants must be available for an interview on a date decided by the School. The University also reserves the right not to make an appointment nor to re-advertise..