Principal Technical Assistant

Stellenbosch - South Africa

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Department Description/Departement Beskrywing

Faculty of AgriSciences

Department of Viticulture and Oenology

The South African Grape and Wine Research Institute(SAGWRI)

Principal Technical Assistant: Wine Production and Sensory Science

(Post Level 13)

(Stellenbosch Campus)

Ref. AW11/228/0925

The mission of the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University (SU) is to be the provider of choice of world-class research teaching and services to agriculture and forestry in Southern Africa as well as to direct and introduce our expertise and skills to the broader community in such a way that will benefit the country and all its people the industries and our clients while the countrys natural resources are utilised in a sustainable manner.

The DVO/SAGWRI Experimental Cellar and Sensory Facility is a unit that supports research training and industry-related activities. The portfolios of these facilities include wine production and analyses as well as sensorial analyses of grapes and wines. The facility has a vacancy for a technical officer to participate in training and research support to the environment and industry. The incumbent will join a team of support staff operational in these facilities comprising of the Experimental Cellar and Sensory Facility.

Duties/Pligte

Technical Support for Training

Providing technical assistance under the guidance of academics and/or a supervisor to undergraduate and honours students in all areas of wine production and bottling.
Conducting and capturing results of routine grape and wine chemical analyses e.g. pH TA and Balling in electronic or hardcopy format.
Assisting under the guidance of academics and/or a supervisor with preparing and the execution of undergraduate practicals and wine tastings.
Cleaning equipment surfaces and facilities related to undergraduate practical activities in the Cellar and Sensory facility.
Performing other related ad hoc tasks as needed.

Technical Support for Research

Providing technical assistance to postgraduate students and other staff members in all areas of wine production and bottling.
Participating in sensory panels on an ad hoc basis.
Setting up sensory evaluations and coding of glasses.
Cleaning the sensory laboratory including spittoons glassware and lids after training and testing sessions.
Capturing sensory responses from hardcopy into MS Excel and online forms.
Performing other related ad hoc tasks as required.

Further support to the Experimental Cellar and Sensory Facility

Providing technical assistance under the guidance of a supervisor in the production and bottling wines for external clients.
Cleaning equipment surfaces and facilities related to wine production and wine bottling for external clients in the Cellar.
Assisting with daily cellar maintenance tasks such as gas cylinder replacement waste disposal monitoring stock levels and general cleanliness of the Cellar.
Acting as first-aider and firefighter and reporting to the health and safety representative.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

At least matric with a post-school qualification (such as SKOP Cape Wine Academy WSET).
Two years working experience working in a cellar making wine.
The ability to perform lifting and moving heavy objects from time to time.
Willingness and availability to work after hours during certain periods of time.
Proven ability to plan organise and prioritise independently and efficiently.
Proven ability to adhere to protocols and standard operating procedures in winemaking.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Basic computer proficiency and the ability to capture data in MS Excel or MS Word.
The ability to work in a team.

Recommendation/Aanbeveling

A valid drivers licence.

How To Apply/Hoe Om Aansoek Te Doen

#LI-POST

#PSS

The University is committed to employment equity (EE) and appointments will be made in line with the institutional EE Plan.

Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Your application comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and email addresses of at least three references) must reach the University before or on the closing date in the advertisement. Include a cover letter providing context/motivation on how your background experience and skills match the requirements and/or recommendations for the position.

Apply online at by clicking Apply now at the top to the right of the page for the specific vacancy.

The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires people in occupations that entail potential exposure to certain hazards (such as noise hazardous chemical substances and hazardous biological agents) to undergo medical screening to determine whether they be fit to work in those occupations.

If you have received no feedback from the University after four to six weeks of the closing date kindly accept that your application was unsuccessful.

Enquiries/Navrae

Enquiries regarding this post: Prof Wessel du Toit on or at

Enquiries about remuneration/benefits and technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on (Stellenbosch) or (Tygerberg) or at

Required Experience:

Staff IC

Department Description/Departement Beskrywing Faculty of AgriSciencesDepartment of Viticulture and OenologyThe South African Grape and Wine Research Institute(SAGWRI)Principal Technical Assistant: Wine Production and Sensory Science(Post Level 13)(Stellenbosch Campus)Ref. AW11/228/0925The mission of...

Providing technical assistance under the guidance of academics and/or a supervisor to undergraduate and honours students in all areas of wine production and bottling.
Conducting and capturing results of routine grape and wine chemical analyses e.g. pH TA and Balling in electronic or hardcopy format.
Assisting under the guidance of academics and/or a supervisor with preparing and the execution of undergraduate practicals and wine tastings.
Cleaning equipment surfaces and facilities related to undergraduate practical activities in the Cellar and Sensory facility.
Performing other related ad hoc tasks as needed.

Technical Support for Research

Providing technical assistance to postgraduate students and other staff members in all areas of wine production and bottling.
Participating in sensory panels on an ad hoc basis.
Setting up sensory evaluations and coding of glasses.
Cleaning the sensory laboratory including spittoons glassware and lids after training and testing sessions.
Capturing sensory responses from hardcopy into MS Excel and online forms.
Performing other related ad hoc tasks as required.

Further support to the Experimental Cellar and Sensory Facility

Providing technical assistance under the guidance of a supervisor in the production and bottling wines for external clients.
Cleaning equipment surfaces and facilities related to wine production and wine bottling for external clients in the Cellar.
Assisting with daily cellar maintenance tasks such as gas cylinder replacement waste disposal monitoring stock levels and general cleanliness of the Cellar.
Acting as first-aider and firefighter and reporting to the health and safety representative.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

At least matric with a post-school qualification (such as SKOP Cape Wine Academy WSET).
Two years working experience working in a cellar making wine.
The ability to perform lifting and moving heavy objects from time to time.
Willingness and availability to work after hours during certain periods of time.
Proven ability to plan organise and prioritise independently and efficiently.
Proven ability to adhere to protocols and standard operating procedures in winemaking.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Basic computer proficiency and the ability to capture data in MS Excel or MS Word.
The ability to work in a team.

Recommendation/Aanbeveling