Laboratory Manager

Department of Chemistry

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Department of Chemistry is seeking applicants for a Laboratory Manager who will be working within the chemistry teaching laboratories. The Laboratory Manager, under direct supervision of the Supervisor of the Teaching Labs, and/or other members of the staff as designated, will perform all duties associated with the daily operation of the Department of Chemistry undergraduate teaching laboratories.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Supervisor of the Teaching Labs and/or other staff members as designated, this position performs all duties associated with the efficient care, maintenance, and daily operation of the Chemistry Department undergraduate teaching labs.

Duties and Responsibilities

 

Operational

• Prepare and supervise the preparation of chemicals and standardized solutions needed in the laboratories. Maintain records of prepared solutions (unknowns, standards, etc.). Test all solutions are accurate and perform in the manner expected for the desired experiment.
• Maintains the laboratory space including, but not limited to: Ensures student bins are stocked with the necessary equipment/glassware needed to complete the current semesters' experiments; Ensures all student equipment/glassware is clean and functional; Monitors services and building facilities (i.e., gas, steam, water, air and vacuum valves and lines; lights, cooling/heating operations, fume hoods and oval air stations, deionized water system).
• Maintains current knowledge of safety procedures and regulations according to the Division of Research Safety (DRS) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and regulations. Acts as a Safety Ambassador, providing safety instruction and modeling proper safety behaviors, to student employees, students enrolled in laboratory courses, and teaching assistants. Monitors student and Teaching Assistant (TA) use of chemicals, ensuring they follow proper safety procedures. Performs regular safety inspections of student and student employee behavior in the teaching laboratories, disciplining actions that are not appropriate or deemed safe. Performs basic first aid measures to students, calling emergency responders when necessary and cleaning up related chemical spills.
• Responsible for the purchase of chemicals, glassware, equipment, and expendable materials for assigned courses. Obtains quotes from vendors and collaborates with Supervisor to ensure purchasing decisions account for financial or budgetary constraints. Inspects orders for accuracy.
• Interacts with TAs in assigned spaces daily. Performs safety checks and ensures students work in a safe and orderly manner. Responds to calls from TAs for assistance during the lab period.
• Prepares laboratory materials for weekly in-lab TA trainings. Assists Supervisor with TA trainings as requested; makes suggestions for additional TA training required for individual TAs. Assists In the performance evaluation of TAs.
• Organizes and maintains chemical storage in the preparatory rooms that service the laboratories in accordance with DRS and OSHA standards and regulations.
• Performs regular maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting techniques and minor repairs on laboratory instruments such as balances, pH meters, etc. For repairs that are more involved, incumbent coordinates the repair work with the appropriate third party (for example, School of Chemical Sciences (SCS) Electronics Shop, outside vendors). Third party work may also include other laboratory equipment such as hot/stir plates. Incumbent is in constant communication with third parties to ensure work is completed by required deadlines. Incumbent liaises with Course Instructors and TA on the status of equipment repairs necessary for the completion of student experiments.
• Responsible for collecting, sorting, organizing, properly labeling, and disposing of all waste generated by assigned teaching laboratory courses. Liaises with the DRS to ensure proper protocols are employed and paperwork is completed for waste disposal. In the case, where "unknown" waste is generated, the incumbent is responsible for testing the waste before submitting it to DRS to ensure it Is labeled and handled properly.
• Work closely with Supervisor to redesign existing experiments to improve their educational value and cost effectiveness. This individual needs to be aware of problems, which develop in the laboratory and, in cooperation with Supervisor, work on solving these problems. Suggestions for redesign of the experiments and the use of more appropriate materials are made. Also, participates in the testing of new experiments, lab equipment, materials, and chemicals.
• Works with Supervisor to ensure cost-effective procedures and supplies are used in the assigned laboratory courses as well as to ensure chemical usage and waste generated is as low as reasonably possible.
• Responsible (on a rotational or as needed basis) for ordering, organizing, and preparing the chemical and equipment needs of programs that take place on the weekend (such as Science Olympiad and Chem Olympiad), evening {Chemistry Holiday Show) and summer (such as 4-H, Upward Bound, WCC).

Administrative

• Responsible for creating, maintaining, and providing access to the Safety Data Sheets, Standard Operating Procedures and course Preparatory guides for assigned courses.
• Establish, maintain, and update a database to inventory all materials in assigned teaching lab spaces, to include chemicals and expendable supplies.
• Participates in annual audit by DRS, ensuring assigned laboratory spaces are maintained in a manner that is consistent with DRS and OSHA standards and regulations.
• Maintains and updates the SCS Chemical Tracking Database. Performs periodic audit to ensure accuracy.
• Processes incoming and outgoing chemicals through the SCS Chemical Tracking initiative.
• Maintains records of performance for student employees.

Supervisory

• Participate In the interviewing, training, supervision, and disciplining of student employees. Makes recommendations to Supervisor for continued employment of students. May be required to either provide input for recommendation letters or write recommendation letters.
• Assists in the management and the assignment of lab cleanliness points for lab students in assigned spaces.
• Other duties as assigned and appropriate for a Teaching Laboratory Manager.

Additional Physical Demands

Physical Requirements: Dexterity and patience when using or maintaining delicate scientific instruments. Strength and ability to lift heavy and/or bulky containers. Freedom from allergies or sensitivities to chemicals. Work Environment: Chemical odors may be present. Potential frustrations due to large numbers of people interrupting the incumbent as they work with complex hazardous chemical preparations and a myriad of other duties, many of which is required daily. Constant vigilance regarding safety during hazardous chemical preparations. Needs a great deal of patience in dealing with hazardous chemical preparations. Exercise disciplinary measures, which can be quite difficult, but are necessary for a safe and efficient operation.

Required Qualifications

1.) A. Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline closely related to the position AND two (2) years (24 months) of work experience in a laboratory or similar setting closely related to the position OR B. Total of five (5) years (60 months) of any combination of education in a scientific discipline and/or work experience in a laboratory or similar setting related to the position.

2.) One (1) year (12 months) of supervisory and/or administrative experience.
NOTE: A Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year (12 months) of work experience.

Successful candidates will have:

• Knowledge of chemical laboratory safety and ability to successfully pass regular safety trainings and exams.

• Knowledge of chemicals, general laboratory techniques, experimental methods, supplies, and equipment used in an undergraduate chemistry laboratory.
• Knowledge required to prepare and analyze chemical solutions to exacting standards.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and repair laboratory equipment or willingness to learn.
• Ability to use a wide assortment of power and hand tools (mechanical/electrical aptitude). College-level mathematical ability.
• Demonstrated ability to interact successfully with people, as a supervisor, resource person, and subordinate.
• Awareness of, and sensitivity to, cultural and linguistic differences. Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Administrative ability necessary to organize and maintain course supplies and databases.
• Must show initiative, independence, and mature judgment to work under conditions where there is often little directly daily supervision.
• Knowledge of chemical properties and laboratory safety: Being aware of and anticipation problems in these areas are highly important parts of this position. The size of the program requires vast quantities of materials, many of which are hazardous. Mistakes or inefficient techniques would be extremely costly. The safety of the employees and of many students frequently depends upon the incumbent's advice to the design of new experiments, and upon incumbent's ability to prepare the materials for use.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 2408 - Laboratory Manager position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the deadline date. The starting salary for this position is $44,000. Actual starting salary will be determined by the candidate’s credentials and alignment with the position requirements. 

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on November 1, 2023. To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu, use the Apply Now button on the posting and upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), and names/contact information for three professional references. Please remember to include specific information on how you meet the qualifications of the position in your application materials, including all relevant experiences.  In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact scs_hr_office@scs.illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

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The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

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Requisition ID: 1020700
Job Category: Research
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu