Laboratory Coordinator I

University of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•$52,032 - $58,974•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Colorado Denver is the state's premier public urban research university and equity-serving institution. Globally connected and locally invested, CU Denver partners with future-focused learners and communities to design accessible, relevant, transformative educational experiences for every stage of life and career. Across seven schools and colleges in the heart of downtown Denver, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges through break through innovations and impactful research, and creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. For more information, visit ucdenver.edu. The Department of Chemistry at the Denver campus provides academic advisement and instruction in the chemical sciences to undergraduate and graduate degree seeking students of the University of Colorado Denver Campus. The educational experience includes lecture, recitation, laboratory and independent research in basic subfields of chemistry such as organic, physical, analytical, inorganic and biochemistry. Emphasis on knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular theory and reactivity and properties of chemical substances are developed. Mathematical skills are applied to understand fundamental chemical relationships and manipulate experimental data. The department provides courses to undergraduate science majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as well as engineering majors in the College of Engineering. The department also services graduate studies to science and environmental students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering and the Graduate School of Public Affairs. The work unit assists in these endeavors by preparing necessary instructional materials, chemicals, solutions, equipment, assembling chemical apparatus and provides staff support in training, safety guidance and the execution of administrative details of the Chemistry Department programs. The state classified Laboratory Coordinator I position is responsible for providing student education laboratory related support services. This position procures and manages chemical inventory, instruments and equipment, ensures general chemistry operation protocol and procedures adhere to EH&S chemical management plan and safety regulations, manages hazardous materials, waste, and records, and provides advisement to students, faculty, and staff on established procedures. The position is responsible for office and record keeping functions that support the student teaching chemistry laboratory.

Requirements

Two (2) years of hands-on experience supporting a post-secondary chemistry laboratory, including ALL of the following: Preparing reagents and chemical solutions, Managing chemical inventory and hazardous waste, Setting up and breaking down instructional lab experiments, Maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation (e.g., balances, spectrometers, hoods)
Must have taken at least one (1) year of organic chemistry with lab and provide proof of passing grade(s) on transcript(s).
An additional one (1) year of experience supporting an organic chemistry lab including preparing reagents and chemical solutions; managing chemical inventory and hazardous waste; setting up and breaking down instructional lab experiments; and maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation, may substitute for the required organic chemistry with lab course.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Laboratory Management, or directly related discipline.
Experience working directly with students in an instructional chemistry laboratory, such as supporting lab sections, providing safety guidance, or assisting with experiment setup.
Experience maintaining or supporting analytical instrumentation, including NMR or comparable equipment used in teaching labs.
Demonstrated experience complying with chemical safety standards, hazardous waste regulations, and safety protocols (e.g., EH&S)
Experience with procurement of chemicals, lab supplies, and chemical equipment.
Experience troubleshooting lab techniques, experiments, and protocols.

Responsibilities

Monitor and report activities and operations within the labs.
Setup and take down weekly experiments.
Prepare chemical solutions and reagents.
Adhere to EH&S chemical management plan and safety regulations
Maintain operational quantities of glassware, chemicals and equipment.
Oversee hood, plumbing and other infrastructure repairs to general teaching labs.
Serve as backup lab coordinator for the organic chemistry and other upper division labs as needed.
Organize, handle, store and inventory chemicals and waste to minimize hazards, exposure and environmental impact.
Monitor and maintain limited amounts of flammable materials per Denver Fire Code.
Execute safeguards as prescribed by EH&S to protect students and staff from these hazards and maintain records of chemical inventory and waste management.
Create and develop protocols for safe handling and storage of chemicals within the general chemistry labs.
Procure materials related to academic lab instruction, including chemicals, glassware, disposables, instrumentation, safety supplies and external analytical services.
Under direction of the Sr. Professional Research Assistant (PRA), refill Cryogen weekly to maintain the Chemistry Department NMR which requires the ordering of liquid nitrogen, transfer of the liquid nitrogen to a compatible/ nonmagnetic dewar if necessary and then filling the NMR with liquid nitrogen to prevent quenching.
Monitor liquid helium consumption and refill the magnet approximately twice per year.
Assist the Sr. PRA with advanced NMR maintenance which includes changing the probe from standard to low temperature or liquid to solid state.