Research Operations Specialist (TEMP)

Responsibilities

• Manage chemical inventory and ensure compliance with safety standards for handling, storage, labeling, and documentation of all materials.
• Assist with hazardous waste management, including compliant storage and coordination with licensed disposal vendors.
• Manage compressed gas cylinder logistics, including receiving, storage, securing, labeling, regulator compatibility checks, and coordination of cylinder exchanges and supplier communications.
• Support fabrication, assembly, modification, and maintenance of experimental systems in a chemical engineering shop environment, including piping, fittings, pumps, and pilot-scale setups.
• Maintain accurate documentation systems, including SOPs, inventory records, and safety documentation.
• Support onboarding and training of UCF research staff and interns in laboratory safety, chemical handling, equipment use, and shop practices.
• Coordinate with engineers and researchers to ensure laboratory readiness for experimental campaigns and data collection activities.
• Maintain a strong culture of safety, compliance, organization, and continuous improvement across laboratory and shop operations.

Requirements

• High school diploma and at least three years of experience in chemical laboratory and engineering environments or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).
• Strong knowledge of chemical safety practices, hazardous waste management, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA standards).
• Familiarity with compressed gas cylinder systems and laboratory gas handling infrastructure.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings (PFDs, P&IDs) and lab/shop integration workflows is a plus.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills (SOPs, lab logs, inventory tracking systems).
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment involving researchers, engineers, and external partners.
• Strong communication skills and ability to coordinate multiple technical workflows simultaneously.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and at least three years of experience in chemical laboratory and engineering environments or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).
• Preferred qualifications include experience supporting or coordinating laboratory operations in chemical, process, or engineering environments, strong knowledge of chemical safety practices, hazardous waste management, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA standards), familiarity with compressed gas cylinder systems and laboratory gas handling infrastructure, familiarity with engineering drawings (PFDs, P&IDs) and lab/shop integration workflows, strong organizational and documentation skills (SOPs, lab logs, inventory tracking systems), ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment involving researchers, engineers, and external partners, and strong communication skills and ability to coordinate multiple technical workflows simultaneously.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of chemical safety practices, hazardous waste management, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA standards).
• Familiarity with compressed gas cylinder systems and laboratory gas handling infrastructure.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings (PFDs, P&IDs) and lab/shop integration workflows.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills (SOPs, lab logs, inventory tracking systems).
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment involving researchers, engineers, and external partners.
• Strong communication skills and ability to coordinate multiple technical workflows simultaneously.

Pay

The anticipated hourly range for this position is $22 - $26. The final rate will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

Schedule

Full time. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.