Instructional Lab Manager

University of Chicago•Hyde Park, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Instructional Lab Manager supports instruction in teaching the Chemistry department through effective management of the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories. This role involves collaborating with instructional faculty to understand specific course requirements and setup needs, overseeing the preparation of chemicals for lab experiments, and managing chemical/supply inventory, purchasing, and storage.

Requirements

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field.
Background in a research laboratory.
Relevant experience handling and managing chemicals.
Background managing chemical inventory and purchasing.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively to resolve problems.
Work proactively to anticipate future needs.
Gather feedback and adjust as needed.
Stay organized and manage and prioritize work.

Responsibilities

Works proactively in collaboration with the Instructional Faculty to understand the specific requirements and set up needs for each course and proactively plan and execute the appropriate set up.
Prepares reagent solutions and other materials as needed for experiments to be used in all undergraduate laboratories. This includes synthesizing needed reagents and pre-weighing solids for experiments; transferring stock solutions to smaller reagent bottles; diluting, preparing and standardizing reagent solutions; labeling all reagents with the appropriate safety information; and cleaning and maintaining used reagent bottles/jars for future use.
Prepares undergraduate teaching labs each day for the scheduled experiment, to include supplying chemicals and equipment, removing the previous experiment’s chemicals and equipment, and removing waste.
Resupplies chemicals as needed during lab classes.
Manages undergraduate chemical and equipment stockroom, making sure that reagents and equipment are kept in stock, and that the stockroom is kept clean and safe.
Maintains chemical inventory.
Orders all chemical supplies used by undergraduate teaching laboratories.
Creates and maintains documentation both on experimental design/setup as well as safety protocols.
Ensures that laboratories and stockroom meet OSHA regulations, specifically safe storage, labeling and handling of chemicals.
Removes chemical waste from labs daily.
Supervises and integrates with laboratory technicians in the cleaning and stocking of the teaching labs.
Serves as the primary safety contact for the Kent instructional laboratories to Environmental Health and Safety and the Office of Research Safety, working collaboratively to report any safety incidents, remediate concerns, and maintain appropriate safety documentation and protocols for the teaching laboratories.
Uses downtime in between quarters and in the summer to proactively organize the laboratories, complete detailed inventories, and prepare for the upcoming quarter’s courses.
Monitors and implements improvements for teaching laboratories.
Communicates effectively with Instructional faculty, technicians and other staff to resolve problems collaboratively.
Performs other related work as needed, including supporting lecture demonstration needs, as well as other laboratory maintenance/up keep and improvement projects.
Prepares and tests lecture demonstrations to ensure consistency with course content.
Works with faculty or staff to determine the suitability of demonstrations for specific lectures.
Instructs students, staff, and faculty in the operation of laboratory or classroom equipment.
Promotes safety in handling equipment and/or materials.
Performs other related work as needed.