Lab Manager & Research Seminars Coordinator

University of Notre Dame•Notre Dame, IN

About The Position

The Lab Manager & Research Seminars Coordinator supports the daily operations of the Berke Lab, undergraduate research activities and shared laboratory resources across Environmental Engineering labs in McCourtney Hall East, and co-curricular research seminars for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences (CEEES). This three-year limited-term position, with the possibility of renewal, maintains laboratory instrumentation and high-quality geochemical data, supports laboratory safety and compliance, trains student researchers, manages supplies and procurement, and coordinates seminar programming and guest visits. Independent research within the Berke Lab may be pursued as time and interest permit, under faculty guidance. The role is organized across Berke Lab operations and research support (50%), undergraduate research support and shared laboratory resources (30%), and departmental research seminar coordination (20%).

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 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 workflows, and address technical challenges.
Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and 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 and ability to work effectively with 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, and seminar programming.
Ability to manage competing priorities, balance multiple projects, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
Ability to collaborate with and support the principal investigator, faculty, students, and departmental leadership.
Strong planning and coordination skills for 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 replacement of instrument components and keep equipment operational.
Conduct sample analyses, process data, maintain analytical standards, and implement quality assurance and quality control procedures to ensure high-quality geochemical data.
Develop analytical methods as needed and promote effective data management, documentation, and recordkeeping.
Train and assist graduate student researchers in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation.
Serve as the primary laboratory safety resource, oversee appropriate waste disposal, and support compliance with applicable EPA and other laboratory safety requirements.
Monitor laboratory inventory and order supplies, analytical standards, consumables, equipment, and replacement parts.
Train and assist in supervising undergraduate researchers in CEEES faculty laboratories in McCourtney Hall East.
Manage the use and availability of shared laboratory equipment and supplies, monitor inventory and usage, and replenish materials.
Serve as the primary procurement contact for participating laboratories, coordinate orders, and communicate with designated vendors.
Provide general operational support for Environmental Engineering laboratories in McCourtney Hall East and assist with other laboratory needs.
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 during the academic year.
Coordinate seminar arrangements with faculty hosts and communicate with invited speakers and guests before, during, and after their visits.
Arrange travel, lodging, meals, and other logistics for invited speakers and visitors.
Publicize seminars through departmental communication channels and distribute event information in a timely manner.
Develop and manage itineraries for invited speakers, coordinating seminar schedules, meetings, meals, and other planned activities.
Pursue independent research within the Berke Lab as time and interest permit, under faculty guidance.