Lab Coordinator - Life Sciences Intermediate Professional Biology

Penn State University • Ferguson Township, PA

94d • $42,100 - $61,000

About The Position

An immediate opening is available in Eberly College of Science, Department of Biology for a Lab Coordinator-Intermediate Professional. This position will work closely with biology faculty in charge of large multi-section introductory Biology laboratory courses to lead, plan, coordinate, and implement the preparation required by the course curricula. The Lab Coordinator ensures that all teaching laboratories are organized and ready for each week's activities. This person may also help lead 1-2 laboratory sections per semester, supervise undergraduate wage-payroll assistants, and coordinate/schedule teaching resources within a single course or those shared between multiple courses. The Lab Coordinator is expected to help collect feedback from lab instructors and students, as well as assist with curricular improvements for both resident instruction and online courses. Additionally, the Lab Coordinator working in introductory biology laboratory courses will be trained to help provide care to laboratory animals and plants and ensure that teaching facilities and employees follow safety regulations. The candidate must be comfortable with using molecular and microscopic approaches to doing laboratory exercises and will be expected to help maintain cell cultures. These skill sets will be helpful in supporting students in our first introductory biology course, our introductory cell and molecular course, and our First-Year Research Initiative, although supporting any of our introductory biology courses could be appropriate as needed. The ideal candidate will also have experience working in a science laboratory environment and have some dissection experience. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are required. Attention to detail and the ability to work with minimal supervision is a must. An interest in pedagogy and the application of research-based teaching methods is highly desirable.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.
• Comfortable with using molecular and microscopic approaches in laboratory exercises.
• Experience working in a science laboratory environment.
• Some dissection experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to work with minimal supervision.

Nice To Haves

• Interest in pedagogy and application of research-based teaching methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead, plan, coordinate, and implement the preparation required by the course curricula for biology laboratory courses.
• Ensure that all teaching laboratories are organized and ready for each week's activities.
• Help lead 1-2 laboratory sections per semester.
• Supervise undergraduate wage-payroll assistants.
• Coordinate/schedule teaching resources within a single course or those shared between multiple courses.
• Collect feedback from lab instructors and students.
• Assist with curricular improvements for both resident instruction and online courses.
• Provide care to laboratory animals and plants.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations in teaching facilities.
• Maintain cell cultures.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Robust retirement plans.
• Substantial paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick time.
• 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree