Laboratory Manager (AD.07)

Job Description

The University of the Witwatersrand is seeking to appoint a highly capable and experienced Laboratory Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership for the Wits BioHub, the Wits Research Animal Facility (WRAF), and related Faculty of Health Sciences research facilities. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated professional to contribute to a dynamic, high-performance research environment by ensuring that laboratories, shared research spaces, and support facilities operate safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards. The Laboratory Manager will oversee the maintenance, optimisation, and compliance of laboratory and research infrastructure within the Faculty of Health Sciences. The successful candidate will work closely with internal stakeholders, service providers, and business partners to ensure that facilities support world-class bioscience research, innovation, and commercialisation.

Responsibilities

• Leading all accreditation, certification and quality assurance initiatives across facilities and laboratories.
• Ensuring continuous audit readiness and closing out corrective actions from inspections.
• Maintaining compliance systems, including SOPs, policies, records and quality documentation.
• Liaising with regulatory and governing bodies to ensure statutory compliance and reporting.
• Managing laboratories, research facilities and shared infrastructure operations.
• Overseeing maintenance, calibration and servicing of laboratory and research equipment.
• Ensuring environmental health, safety and biosecurity compliance across all sites.
• Managing budgets, procurement, contractors and facility upgrade projects.
• Leading, mentoring and developing technical and support staff.
• Reporting on operational performance, compliance status and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Strong leadership and organisational ability
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Sound analytical and problem-solving capability
• High levels of accountability, integrity, and attention to detail
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-compliance environment
• A proactive, solutions-oriented, and results-driven approach

How to Apply

To apply: Closing date: 14 May 2026 Please submit your application using the following I-Recruitment link: www.wits.ac.za/vacancies or for internal applicants https://irec.wits.ac.za/ Completion of the test questions on the iRec online application are compulsory. Documents to be submitted with your application:

• A cover letter motivating your suitability for the post
• Detailed and up to date CV
• Names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of three recent referees,
• ID (or passport and permit)
• Copies of qualification certificates

Please note: Only applications via the website will be considered for shortlisting. An interview will form part of the selection process. NB: The University will seek confidential referee reports for all shortlisted candidates. At least one referee must be the candidate’s current or most recent immediate supervisor or line manager. No appointment will be made without the receipt and satisfactory consideration of the required referee reports.