Chemistry Laboratory Manager

About the role

Manage lab operations for assigned courses and research (40%).
Purchase materials, chemicals, and equipment for general chemistry, biochemistry, and other assigned courses in partnership with faculty.
Maintain assigned lab rooms as clean, organized and safe spaces, in consultation with faculty who teach in these spaces.
Work closely with faculty to develop and implement laboratory procedures and setups for assigned courses.
Distribute lab materials and set up equipment according to the needs of assigned courses.
Respond to immediate lab needs such as emergencies, chemical spills and contamination, equipment malfunctions, and procedural issues.
Cleanup and reset teaching labs for the assigned courses.
Upkeep cleanliness of laboratory benches and hoods in assigned lab spaces.
Keep detailed records of stockroom activities as appropriate (Ex. as lab development, solution preparation, and procedure troubleshooting).

• Serve as a member of the General Chemistry Committee.
• Upkeep inventory of chemicals and supplies in assigned lab spaces.
• Loan, track, and maintain shared PPE, including laundering shared lab coats and cleaning shared goggles.

Responsibilities

Teaching General Chemistry Laboratory Courses (20%)
Teaching responsibilities will include one section of general chemistry laboratory (CHEM 1501 or CHEM 1511) per quarter.
Laboratory sections meet one day per week for approximately 3.5 hours.
Teaching duties will be in collaboration with other faculty.
Successful applicants must demonstrate a commitment to teaching excellence and undergraduate education.

• Manage Student Workers (25%)
• Supervise and coordinate a team of student workers to address lab needs such as reagent preparation, preparing teaching lab, and upkeep stocks of clean glassware.
• Provide lab training to student workers in lab safety, solution preparation, proper reagent labeling procedures, and addressing other course needs.
• Initiate and oversee hiring process for student workers as necessary.
• Assign tasks to student workers based on their training and skill level.
• Train student workers to test new experimental procedures for classes as needed.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in chemistry or related area which must include course work in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and quantitative analysis; or Associate's degree in chemistry or related area which must include course work in general, organic chemistry plus at least 2 years of laboratory work experience.
• Training in laboratory safety.
• Knowledge of fundamental chemical principles; chemical reactions, proper handling, storage and transport of chemicals; waste disposal regulations.
• Proficiency with laboratory equipment and LIMS and in preparing solutions with and without using a chemical fume hood.
• Proficiency using common computer programs such as Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, independently set and meet deadlines, and to adapt to changing situations, priorities, and technologies.
• Strong initiative, ability to function independently, and as a contributing team member.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective communication with faculty, students, staff, and vendors.
• A demonstrated commitment to the University's mission, vision, and values.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD degree in chemistry or related field.
• 3+ years of experience conducting chemistry laboratory preparation and supervision, preferably in academic environment.
• Formal coursework or training in Laboratory Safety.
• Knowledge of management of chemicals and of chemical and biological waste, IOSHA/WISHA, EPA/WA Dept. of Ecology, and other applicable safety regulations and guidelines.
• Experience with institutional biosafety committees and IACUCs and using analytical instrumentation.
• Experience with inventory management software (LIMS) for labs and chemical stockrooms.

Benefits

• Medical plans
• Dental and vision insurance programs
• Life and short & long-term disability coverage
• Roth 403(b) retirement benefits
• Free tuition benefits for the employee and dependents
• Subsidized transportation benefit
• Wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility
• Wide variety of campus events