Lab Coordinator

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Job Title:

Lab Coordinator

Job Family:

Technicians

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full time

Compensation Grade:

6H

Pay Type:

Hourly

Department:

Biology

Job Summary:

• Aids the faculty in their teaching mission by (a) setting and cleaning up teaching laboratories, (b) preparing, maintaining, and ordering materials for the laboratory portions of undergraduate classes, and (c) supervising the student workers who assist in these activities.
• Maintains a chemical and equipment inventory and facilitates the departmental safety program by maintaining necessary supplies and documentation.
• Maintains general-use laboratories and other department facilities used by the faculty and students for research.
  
  

Job Description:

This position involves 10.5 months of work per fiscal year. Work is expected during the academic year (mid-August to late April) with some flexibility for summer hours (May through mid-August).

Specific responsibilities:

Obtains syllabi, laboratory manuals and/or handouts from the faculty to ensure that the necessary reagents, supplies, and equipment needed for laboratory portions of courses, as requested by the faculty, are available and functioning properly by the dates needed.

Assembles in a timely fashion, with the aid of student workers, the necessary reagents, supplies, and equipment needed for laboratory portions of courses in the appropriate laboratory room or location and then supervises the cleaning up of the laboratory room after the exercise, also in a timely fashion.

Coordinates multiple laboratory activities daily so that rooms and equipment can be shared appropriately throughout the department. This includes the set-up and take down of laboratories in different rooms and the movement of equipment between laboratories as needed.

Works with faculty members, as required, to prepare course handouts for laboratory exercises, then maintains this information, including laboratory preparation instructions, in an electronic database for each laboratory exercise.

Orders, organizes, and maintains adequate supplies of all chemicals, live organisms, other materials, and equipment needed for laboratory exercises. This includes working with faculty and other staff in determining the appropriate vendor from which to obtain these laboratory materials. This may also include making trips to local stores to obtain necessary items.

Manages care and husbandry of live animals used in laboratory exercises (e.g., insects, fish, frogs, mice, rats). May need to anesthetize and euthanize animals on occasion.

Prepares chemical solutions and reagents needed for laboratory exercises using chemical formulas, if necessary.

Uses sterile technique to prepare and maintain bacterial cultures and other microbiological media needed for faculty and student use.

Has the knowledge to operate laboratory equipment including, but not limited to, microscopes, pipettes, analytical balances, autoclaves, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, and pH meters. This includes learning to use newly purchased equipment that will be used for laboratory exercises.

Maintains and performs routine maintenance on laboratory equipment including, but not limited to, microscopes, pipettes, analytical balances, autoclaves, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, pH meters, water purification systems, and ultracold freezers. This includes contacting technical service for help and arranging for repair technicians to service equipment, as necessary.

Executes and maintains the department’s safety program by following safety procedures and by carrying out periodic surveys of safety equipment and supplies in laboratories, including eye wash stations and first aid kits.

Maintains and keeps current an on-line inventory system for chemicals and scientific equipment belonging to the department.

Maintains Safety Data Sheets, the departmental alcohol inventory, and equipment manuals.

Hires, schedules, assigns duties, and supervises student assistants employed by the department and provides them with appropriate training.

Assists with maintenance of departmental equipment and facilities that are used for both teaching and research, including vivarium, growth chambers, and greenhouse.

Completes performance review process with supervisor to understand job performance expectations and how they fit into the department and university goals.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Relationships:

Works with co-workers, faculty members in Biology and other departments, supply and equipment vendors, and students to exchange information and explain rules, regulations, and practices.

Responsibility for Final Decisions:

Responsible for own work. May assist or instruct others doing similar work, including student workers.

Reports To: Chair of the Biology Department

The laboratory coordinator is expected to perform independently on routine work after initial training. Non-routine activities, issues, or questions are referred to the supervisor.

Education and Skill Requirements:

Strongly preferred: BA, BS, MA or MS with a degree in biology, biochemistry, or a related field.

The experience and skill to operate equipment used in the department to support teaching of undergraduate courses.

Experience in the use of computers and common software (e.g., Word, Excel).

The interpersonal skills to work smoothly and harmoniously with faculty members, other staff members (including another laboratory coordinator and the department assistant), students, supply company representatives, and repair and maintenance technicians.

Work Conditions:

Work involves reaching, stooping, kneeling crouching, pushing/pulling, and lifting and carrying items to set up labs and operate equipment.

Work involves handling chemicals, live organisms, and other materials requiring knowledge of safety procedures.

Work involves operating at a laboratory bench and working at a computer.

Education Requirements:

Certification Requirements:

Job Posting End Date (if date is blank, posting is open ended):