ANIMAL FACILITY TECHNICAL ASSISTANT

6 Month Fixed Term Contract (Renewable)

REFERENCE NUMBER:   ANITEC0022014OCT

Extension of Application Closing Date

The KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV (K-RITH) is an independent basic 

science research facility. Its mission is to conduct outstanding basic science research on 

tuberculosis (TB) and HIV and translate the scientific findings into new tools to control TB and 

HIV. K-RITH was established in 2009 as a non-profit company by the Howard Hughes Medical

Institute (HHMI) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The institute is housed in the K-RITH

Tower Building; a state-of-the-art, 4,000 sq. m. research building on the campus of the Nelson R.

Mandela School of Medicine of UKZN.

Overview of the position:

The Animal Facility Technical Assistant will be involved in the K-RITH animal breeding operation, 

currently located in the Biomedical Resource Unit, UKZN, Westville. He/she will take care of 

husbandry, watering and feeding in the mouse unit. Maintain a level of hygiene in the laboratory 

area through regular disinfection of corridors and rooms, and the washing of cages, bottles and 

food hoppers. Assist in execution of research projects as delegated by supervisor. Report animal 

and husbandry problems to supervisors and technical problems to the laboratory support manager. 

Perform weekend and holiday duties as required.

Minimum qualifications:

Degree or Diploma in Laboratory Animal Technology or related field and must be Computer Literate.

Experience required:

Equivalent combination of experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have 

been achieved.

Remuneration:

The remuneration package for this position is market related and will depend on the qualifications, 

experience, responsibility and previous earnings of the successful candidate.

Application Format:

Please note that applications for employment are only received on the official application form 

which may be accessed via the K-RITH website, www.k-rith.org, or by email, telephonic request. 

Applicants are required to email their detailed application to deborah.hlophe@k-rith.org together 

with certified copies of qualification certificates. The post reference number must be indicated in 

the subject line of the email. Telephonic enquiries pertaining to this post may be directed to the 

HR Department at 031-260 1397. Only those candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be 

shortlisted. K-RITH is fully compliant with South African labour law and is committed to employment

equity.

Application closing date:

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12/11/2014. K-RITH reserves the right in special 

circumstances to accept late applications or to extend the above date in order to facilitate 

further searches. Furthermore, K-RITH reserves the right not to make an appointment. Please  

consider your application unsuccessful if you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date.