(Payclass 10)
Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research Department of Chemical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER) is an inter-disciplinary research centre, based in the Department of Chemical
Engineering at UCT. It has a well-recognised research portfolio in Biohydrometallurgy, Bioprocess Engineering, Bioproducts, and
Health Biotechnology. The research portfolio is underpinned by a focus on sustainable development of processes, maximizing resource
efficiency and fit-for-purpose water through a circular economy and industrial ecology focus. At this time when South Africa has
recognised the bio-economy as a focal point for development, CeBER is looking for candidates with outstanding ability and research
potential to appoint in 2023.
The appointee to this position will be involved in research centred on integrated bioprocess development using microbial technology.
Emphasis will be on the integration of a deep understanding of mixed microbial cultures and their metabolic potential with engineering
aspects of process development and optimization. Up-to-date hands-on experience in the characterisation of pure cultures and mixed
microbial communities using molecular biology tools with demonstrated attention to validation and data quality is essential. Further
experience in process development and performance is expected across a range of applications which will preferably include some of
the following: recombinant expression systems, nucleic acid and protein purification, mineral bioprocessing, biomass processing, fine
chemicals and biocatalysis.
The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to research projects within the CeBER project grouping and work closely with
the team. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the delivery of several research projects within the CeBER
portfolio. This will include conducting the experimentally based characterisation of mixed microbial communities by molecular tools to
support the Centre’s research. The successful candidate will contribute to grant writing and academic writing in the form of technical
reports and research papers, provide guidance to postgraduate students on technical aspects of their research, and to work closely
with CeBER’s academic team.
Requirements for the position:
- A MSc degree demonstrating expertise in molecular biology, microbiology, or related discipline. A PhD and/or knowledge of
bioprocess engineering principles would be an added benefit. - At least five years post MSc experience or two years post PhD experience.
- Substantial expertise in standard molecular biology methods (cloning, PCR, ligation, gene design, DNA sequence analysis,
recombinant protein expression etc.) - Experience in microbial speciation of mixed cultures and metagenomics with demonstrable skills in methods development and data
accuracy.
Key competencies include:
- The ability to work interactively as a member of an inter-disciplinary team.
- Good interaction and guidance of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the laboratory setting.
- Strength in technical writing and grant writing.
- Design of experiments to study biological systems at the molecular level
- Use of software for metagenomic and bioinformatic analysis and to create molecular models and reconstructions
- Analysis of metagenomic data to inform structure – function relationships within mixed microbial communities
- Study of gene expression at the molecular level
- Train others on concepts in molecular biology
- Perform quality control procedures in a lab environment
- Review research papers and journal articles to stay apprised of new developments in molecular biology
- Write and publish reports and contribute to research papers on the results of experiments
The annual cost of employment, including benefits, is between R580 137 and R682 513.
To apply, please e-mail the below documents in a single pdf file to Ms Abigail Dixon at recruitment03@uct.ac.za
- UCT Application Form (download at http://forms.uct.ac.za/hr201.doc);
- A motivational letter, stating how you meet the requirements of the position; and
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Please ensure the title and reference number are indicated in the subject line. An application which does not comply with the above
requirements will be regarded as incomplete and might not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and may be
required to undergo competency assessments.
Telephone: 021 650 1673
Website: www.ebe.uct.ac.za
Reference number: E230320
Closing date: 02 October 2023
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
www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf.
UCT reserves the right not to appoint.
All the best with your applications