Circular 27 of 2026 · Post 27/271
SCIENTIST PRODUCTION GRADE A (FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY) (X3 POSTS) Chief
Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness
- CentreForensic Medicine and Toxicology, Observatory Forensic Pathology Institute
- ProvinceWestern Cape
Closing date: 15 days remaining
Job details
- Circular
- 27 of 2026
- Page No.
- 8–9
- Circular Post
- 27/271
- Department
- Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness
- Province
- Western Cape
- Centre
- Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Observatory Forensic Pathology Institute
- Salary
- R791 604 per annum
- Closing date
- 17 August 2026
About this vacancy
Review the complete requirements and application instructions for this vacancy at Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.
The listed centre is Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Observatory Forensic Pathology Institute.
Applications close on 17 August 2026.
Application and salary information
Salary
R791 604 per annum
Application route
Complete submission instructions are provided under How to apply.
Requirements
- Minimum educational qualification: Science Degree (Bsc) (Hon) or relevant qualification that allows registration as a Professional Natural Scientist.
- Registration with a professional council: Registration with the SACNASP as a Professional Natural Scientist.
- Experience: 3 years post qualification natural scientific experience.
- Inherent requirement of the job: Ability to operate specialised analytical instrumentation and perform laboratory-based analytical work.
- Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality and attention to detail under operational pressures and deadlines.
- Willingness to participate in after-hours or court-related duties where required.
- Competencies (knowledge/skills): Forensic Toxicology principles and medico-legal death investigation processes.
- Analytical chemistry and toxicological analysis techniques, including chromatography and mass spectrometry.
- Operation and troubleshooting of analytical instrumentation (e.g.
- LC-MS/MS) and laboratory equipment.
- Biological specimen handlings, chain-of custody and laboratory safety procedures.
- Quality Management Systems and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements.
- Quality management and quality control principles, including the interpretation and monitoring of internal quality control data, statistical quality assurance tools and Levy-Jennings charts.
- Applicable legislation, ethical principles and regulatory requirements relevant to forensic science and medico-legal investigations.
- Research methodology, scientific writing and data analysis principles.
- Microsoft Office, Laboratory Information Systems, computer-based scientific applications and statistical programs, (e.g.
- SPSS, R).
- Programme and project management, staff development and operational laboratory processes. -Work with medico-legal and potentially hazardous biological specimens within a forensic environment.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills. -Scientific and technical preparation skills.
- Scientific method development, validation an data interpretation principles.
- Data analysis and interpretation.
- Technical report writing and scientific communication.
- Planning, organisational, and time management.
- Interpersonal, teamwork and communication.
- Training, mentoring and supervision.
- Attention to detail and record-keeping.
- Ability to work independently and under pressure within a medico-legal environment.
- Ability to communicate clearly and discreetly in person and in writing.
- Appropriate experience working in an analytical or forensic toxicology environment.
- Appropriate experience working within and ISO/IEC 17025 Environment.
- Appropriate experience operation LC-MS/MS instrumentation.
Duties
- Effective and efficient scientific analysis and Medico-legal service delivery.
- Efficient method development, validation and laboratory improvement.
- Effective and efficient research, innovation and knowledge generation.
- Effective Human Capital development and Scientific leadership.
- Effective Quality Management System (QMA), Compliance and Operational support.
Enquiries
Ms B Davies Tel No: (021) 406-6026/6412 or email: Bronwen.Davies@uct.ac.za
How to apply
Where and how to submit your application.
Applicants apply online: www.westerncape.gov.za/health-jobs (click “online applications”)
Notes and Z83 guidance
No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post.
- Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a practical test.
- Candidates will be subjected to a security clearance prior to appointment.
- Candidates who are not in possession of the stipulated requirements may also apply. Such candidates will only be considered for appointment on condition that proof of qualification for registration to register with the relevant council and proof of payment of the prescribed registration fees to the relevant council are submitted on or before the day of the interview. This concession is only applicable to candidates who apply for the first time for registration in a specific category with the relevant council (individuals who must apply for change in registration status).
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
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Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 27 of 2026 for reference.
Disclaimer: SA Gov Jobs is an independent job information service and is not a government department. This vacancy was imported from the official DPSA circular PDF. Please confirm the reference number, closing date, and application instructions in the original circular before applying. View the official DPSA vacancy circulars.
Original Text
POST 27/271 : SCIENTIST PRODUCTION GRADE A (FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY) (X3 POSTS)
Chief Directorate: Emergency and Clinical Support Services
SALARY : R791 604 per annum
CENTRE : Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Observatory Forensic Pathology Institute
REQUIREMENTS : Minimum educational qualification: Science Degree (Bsc) (Hon) or relevant qualification that allows registration as a Professional Natural Scientist.
Registration with a professional council: Registration with the SACNASP as a
Professional Natural Scientist. Experience: 3 years post qualification natural scientific experience. Inherent requirement of the job: Ability to operate
specialised analytical instrumentation and perform laboratory-based analytical work. Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality and attention
to detail under operational pressures and deadlines. Willingness to participate in after-hours or court-related duties where required. Competencies
(knowledge/skills): Forensic Toxicology principles and medico-legal death investigation processes. Analytical chemistry and toxicological analysis
techniques, including chromatography and mass spectrometry. Operation and troubleshooting of analytical instrumentation (e.g. LC-MS/MS) and laboratory
equipment. Biological specimen handlings, chain-of custody and laboratory safety procedures. Quality Management Systems and ISO/IEC 17025
accreditation requirements. Quality management and quality control principles, including the interpretation and monitoring of internal quality control data,
statistical quality assurance tools and Levy-Jennings charts. Applicable legislation, ethical principles and regulatory requirements relevant to forensic
science and medico-legal investigations. Research methodology, scientific writing and data analysis principles. Microsoft Office, Laboratory Information
Systems, computer-based scientific applications and statistical programs, (e.g.
SPSS, R). Programme and project management, staff development and operational laboratory processes. -Work with medico-legal and potentially
hazardous biological specimens within a forensic environment. Analytical and problem-solving skills. -Scientific and technical preparation skills. Scientific
method development, validation an data interpretation principles. Data analysis and interpretation. Technical report writing and scientific communication.
Planning, organisational, and time management. Interpersonal, teamwork and communication. Training, mentoring and supervision. Attention to detail and
record-keeping. Ability to work independently and under pressure within a medico-legal environment. Ability to communicate clearly and discreetly in
person and in writing. Appropriate experience working in an analytical or forensic toxicology environment. Appropriate experience working within and
ISO/IEC 17025 Environment. Appropriate experience operation LC-MS/MS instrumentation.
DUTIES : Effective and efficient scientific analysis and Medico-legal service delivery. Efficient method development, validation and laboratory improvement.
Effective and efficient research, innovation and knowledge generation.
Effective Human Capital development and Scientific leadership. Effective
Quality Management System (QMA), Compliance and Operational support.
ENQUIRIES : Ms B Davies Tel No: (021) 406-6026/6412 or email: Bronwen.Davies@uct.ac.za
NOTE : No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a practical test. Candidates will be subjected to
a security clearance prior to appointment. Candidates who are not in possession of the stipulated requirements may also apply. Such candidates will
only be considered for appointment on condition that proof of qualification for registration to register with the relevant council and proof of payment of the
prescribed registration fees to the relevant council are submitted on or before the day of the interview. This concession is only applicable to candidates who
apply for the first time for registration in a specific category with the relevant council (individuals who must apply for change in registration status).
Chief Directorate: Emergency and Clinical Support Services
SALARY : R791 604 per annum
CENTRE : Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Observatory Forensic Pathology Institute
REQUIREMENTS : Minimum educational qualification: Science Degree (Bsc) (Hon) or relevant qualification that allows registration as a Professional Natural Scientist.
Registration with a professional council: Registration with the SACNASP as a
Professional Natural Scientist. Experience: 3 years post qualification natural scientific experience. Inherent requirement of the job: Ability to operate
specialised analytical instrumentation and perform laboratory-based analytical work. Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality and attention
to detail under operational pressures and deadlines. Willingness to participate in after-hours or court-related duties where required. Competencies
(knowledge/skills): Forensic Toxicology principles and medico-legal death investigation processes. Analytical chemistry and toxicological analysis
techniques, including chromatography and mass spectrometry. Operation and troubleshooting of analytical instrumentation (e.g. LC-MS/MS) and laboratory
equipment. Biological specimen handlings, chain-of custody and laboratory safety procedures. Quality Management Systems and ISO/IEC 17025
accreditation requirements. Quality management and quality control principles, including the interpretation and monitoring of internal quality control data,
statistical quality assurance tools and Levy-Jennings charts. Applicable legislation, ethical principles and regulatory requirements relevant to forensic
science and medico-legal investigations. Research methodology, scientific writing and data analysis principles. Microsoft Office, Laboratory Information
Systems, computer-based scientific applications and statistical programs, (e.g.
SPSS, R). Programme and project management, staff development and operational laboratory processes. -Work with medico-legal and potentially
hazardous biological specimens within a forensic environment. Analytical and problem-solving skills. -Scientific and technical preparation skills. Scientific
method development, validation an data interpretation principles. Data analysis and interpretation. Technical report writing and scientific communication.
Planning, organisational, and time management. Interpersonal, teamwork and communication. Training, mentoring and supervision. Attention to detail and
record-keeping. Ability to work independently and under pressure within a medico-legal environment. Ability to communicate clearly and discreetly in
person and in writing. Appropriate experience working in an analytical or forensic toxicology environment. Appropriate experience working within and
ISO/IEC 17025 Environment. Appropriate experience operation LC-MS/MS instrumentation.
DUTIES : Effective and efficient scientific analysis and Medico-legal service delivery. Efficient method development, validation and laboratory improvement.
Effective and efficient research, innovation and knowledge generation.
Effective Human Capital development and Scientific leadership. Effective
Quality Management System (QMA), Compliance and Operational support.
ENQUIRIES : Ms B Davies Tel No: (021) 406-6026/6412 or email: Bronwen.Davies@uct.ac.za
NOTE : No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a practical test. Candidates will be subjected to
a security clearance prior to appointment. Candidates who are not in possession of the stipulated requirements may also apply. Such candidates will
only be considered for appointment on condition that proof of qualification for registration to register with the relevant council and proof of payment of the
prescribed registration fees to the relevant council are submitted on or before the day of the interview. This concession is only applicable to candidates who
apply for the first time for registration in a specific category with the relevant council (individuals who must apply for change in registration status).