Academic Lab Manager II - Department of Chemistry

About the role

The Department of Chemistry in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Academic Lab Manager II.

Responsibilities

• Laboratory Management
  • Prepares chemicals, solutions, and materials used in the chemistry laboratories and by faculty who perform lecture demonstrations.
  • Dispenses the solutions, labels containers, and delivers all chemicals and solutions prior to the beginning of each laboratory session.
• Managing Specific Areas
  • Manages specific areas of the Chemistry Preparatory Facilities as assigned by the supervisor, maintaining quality and consistency of laboratory chemicals to ensure that teaching laboratory sections operate seamlessly and consistently.
  • Ensures work areas are hazard- and obstruction-free, and regularly reevaluates location of storage, equipment and personnel to optimize laboratory spaces.
• Assisting Faculty Members
  • Affords assistance to faculty members and colleagues with the development and testing of new teaching lab experiments.
  • Works with colleagues to solve problems associated with specific experiments and makes recommendations for changes based on literature reviews, as necessary.
• Other Duties
  • Responds to requests from Teaching Assistants and effectively delivers the supplies to the laboratories.
  • Maintains a working knowledge of appropriate concentration of solutions in units such as molarity, normality, molality, and percent and prepares them accurately.
  • Maintains a working knowledge of laboratory equipment used in undergraduate chemistry courses including balances, pH meters, mel-temps, gas chromatographs, refractometers, centrifuges, digital thermometers, etc.
  • Oversees and participates in the distribution and maintenance of equipment and glassware/supplies, located in the stockroom, used in the laboratories by relocating, repairing, or coordinating repairs with appropriate personnel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related science field required.
• A minimum of one (1) year of the following preferred: Working in a laboratory setting. Hazardous material management. Supervisory responsibilities. Online teaching experience or equivalent online academic activity delivery.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of chemical and physical principles.
• Ability to pass First aid/CPR certifications as needed.
• Ability to pass DOT/IATA certification as needed.
• Knowledge of laboratory techniques, equipment, and terminology used in chemistry, including ability to operate such equipment.
• Knowledge of equipment, chemicals and techniques used in organic chemistry is preferred.
• Ability to supervise and train other staff members and student workers.
• Ability to organize an academic laboratory and to maintain good housekeeping in assigned areas.
• Ability to analyze and monitor program success and identify improvement opportunities.
• Self-directed and self-motivated with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently, as required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to effectively give and receive oral and written communications and to follow work assignments.
• Ability to plan and complete both short-range and long-range projects for the supervisor.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative, productive working relationships with all departmental personnel and students.
• Ability to follow safety codes and policies established by the department, University, State and Federal regulations.
• Ability to function cooperatively in a team environment.
• Ability to maintain proper unit attendance and punctuality standards.