Laboratory Assistant - (6 Months Fixed Term Contract - Wits MRU)

SUMMARY:
Background:

• Wits Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health Research Unit (Wits MRU) aim to answer priority questions that will translate into improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes through expanding access to appropriate and acceptable health technologies and services
• Our core research areas are contraception including barrier methods, HIV prevention, safer conception, menstrual management, postpartum depression, and other areas of sexual and reproductive health.
• Wits MRU engages in pivotal research conducted with vulnerable populations, including youth, sex workers, and residents of informal settlements
• Using a range of methodologies, we conduct behavioural, operations and clinical research, actively partnering and involving communities and local structures
• We also provide technical assistance, partnering with various stakeholders including the Department of Health and other NGO's to affect policy change and enhance best practice
• We work with diverse partners, collaborators and donors, including local and internationally based universities and research centres
• Wits MRU was established in 2013 as a Division of the Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Ltd in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand in Parktown, Johannesburg
• Wits MRU is based in Durban and was formerly the Durban Office of the RHRU (Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit) now WRHI (Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute)

• Conduct innovative research that informs policy and programmes
• Conduct research that supports the development of new technologies on sexual and reproductive health, HIV, and related diseases
• Engage the community in informing research and improving service delivery

POSITION INFO:
Main purpose of the job:

• To provide laboratory, technical and administrative support to the laboratory team with the processing of samples for clinical trials

• WITS MRU - The Atrium, Overport, Durban

• WITS MRU is a division of the Wits Health Consortium under the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of the Witwatersrand
• We are committed to supporting the millennium development goals aimed at gender equity, maternal and child health and combatting HIV
• These guide our work which focuses on sexual and reproductive health with research being conducted in PrEP, microbicides, barrier methods, service integration, and contraception
• We conduct clinical, behavioural, operations and implementation science research and support health systems strengthening including capacity building and technical support

• Logging, labelling and storing samples
• Retrieval of samples
• Shipping samples
• Assist with maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment
• Laboratory administration
• Compliance with standard operating procedures and study specific protocols

• Grade 12
• Registration with Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Laboratory Assistant
• Valid Driver’s License

• Registration with Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Laboratory Assistant

• Minimum 1 year experience within Clinical Research or Medical Laboratory experiencePlease note: that this is a six-month Fixed Term Contract position
• Please note: This is a Six-Month Fixed Term Contract Position

• Computer Literate in MS Office
• Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), International Air Transport Association (IATA)
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Certification
• Accuracy, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
• Clinical research experience will be an advantage
• Good communication skills
• Time and quality management skills
• Able to work under pressure and be proactive

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful
• Closing date: 04 March 2026
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

• WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position