Lab Manager & Research Seminars Coordinator

University of Notre Dame•Notre Dame, IN

7h•Onsite

About The Position

The Lab Manager & Research Seminars Coordinator supports the daily operations of the Berke Lab, assists with undergraduate research activities and shared laboratory resources across Environmental Engineering labs in McCourtney Hall East, and coordinates co-curricular research seminars for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences (CEEES). This three year Limited-Term position is responsible for maintaining laboratory instrumentation, ensuring high-quality geochemical data, supporting laboratory safety and compliance, training student researchers, managing laboratory supplies and procurement, and coordinating departmental seminar programming and guest visits. The role also provides opportunities for independent research, as time and interest permit, under the guidance of faculty.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
Three to four years of relevant professional or research experience in a laboratory setting.
Hands-on experience troubleshooting gas chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS) systems.
Experience working with organic solvents and laboratory instrumentation.
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, maintain, and support the operation of complex analytical instrumentation, particularly GC-IRMS systems.
Strong fine motor skills and manual dexterity for precise laboratory procedures, sample preparation, and instrument maintenance.
Creative and analytical problem-solving skills to diagnose instrumentation issues, improve laboratory workflows, and address unexpected technical challenges.
Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and the safe handling of organic solvents.
Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records, support data quality assurance and quality control, and manage laboratory supplies and equipment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with undergraduate and graduate student researchers, faculty, and departmental colleagues.
Ability to train, mentor, and provide day-to-day guidance to student researchers in laboratory techniques, instrumentation use, and safe laboratory practices.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills to coordinate laboratory operations, procurement activities, and departmental seminar programming.
Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, balance multiple projects, and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
Ability to work collaboratively with and provide effective support to the principal investigator (PI), faculty, students, and departmental leadership.
Strong planning and coordination skills to support laboratory operations, shared resources, and departmental events.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and adapt to changing laboratory and departmental needs.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or doctoral degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
Experience with organic geochemical analytical techniques.

Responsibilities

Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation; coordinate the replacement of instrument components and ensure equipment remains operational.
Conduct sample analyses, process data, maintain analytical standards, and implement quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures to ensure a continuous supply of high-quality geochemical data.
Develop new analytical methods as needed and promote effective data management practices, documentation, and recordkeeping.
Train and assist graduate student researchers in the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of laboratory instrumentation, developing technical skills relevant to future careers in chemical analysis and related fields.
Serve as the primary laboratory safety resource, oversee appropriate waste disposal, and support compliance with applicable EPA safety standards and other relevant laboratory safety requirements.
Monitor laboratory inventory, maintain adequate supplies and analytical standards, and order necessary consumables, equipment, and replacement parts.
Train and assist in supervising undergraduate student researchers working in CEEES faculty laboratories in McCourtney Hall East, helping expand opportunities for undergraduate participation in departmental research.
Oversee the use and availability of shared laboratory equipment and supplies, monitor inventory and usage, and replenish materials as needed.
Serve as the primary procurement contact for participating laboratories, coordinate orders for supplies and equipment, and communicate directly with designated vendors.
Provide general operational support for Environmental Engineering laboratories in McCourtney Hall East and assist with additional laboratory needs as they arise.
Coordinate the department’s co-curricular research seminar series, including Structures, Environmental Engineering, Earth Sciences, McCourtney East early-career lunchtime seminars, and CEEES-sponsored Edison Lectures held during the academic year.
Work with faculty hosts to coordinate seminar arrangements and communicate with invited speakers and guests before, during, and after their visits.
Arrange travel, lodging, meals, and other logistical needs for invited speakers and visitors.
Publicize seminars through appropriate departmental communication channels and ensure event information is distributed in a timely manner.
Develop and manage itineraries for invited speakers, coordinating seminar schedules, meetings, meals, and other planned activities.