Laboratory Manager, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

University of Delaware•Newark, NJ

About The Position

The Laboratory Manager supports the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering’s teaching and research laboratories, which include facilities in Colburn Lab, the APBio Building, the Harker ISE Building, and satellite locations. The role helps maintain a safe, compliant, secure, and fully operational laboratory and building environment amid research involving hazardous chemicals, specialized equipment, and complex chemical, materials, and biological processes. Under the limited direction of the Senior Business Administrator and the Chair, the Laboratory Manager assists with laboratory construction, fit-out, and startup, ensuring work is completed safely, on time, and within budget. The role oversees the maintenance, security, and operation of physical plant and laboratory spaces, and coordinates with the department, University Facilities Management, Environmental Health and Safety, and other partners to meet institutional safety and operational requirements. The position provides hands-on technical support to department researchers and undergraduate laboratory instruction. It designs, builds, repairs, and integrates equipment; coordinates equipment procurement, installation, and servicing; supports laboratory safety and emergency preparedness; and manages laboratory waste, moves, and facilities projects. The manager is expected to walk through department laboratories daily and support the department’s graduate students, visiting scholars, postdoctoral fellows, research scientists, and undergraduate researchers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering-related field.
Five years of experience in design/build prototyping for R&D applications using modular design principles.
Skills in component selection and integration.
Experience with operation and maintenance of research laboratory instruments, including gas chromatographs, mass flow controllers, HPLC, FTIR, UV/VIS, and mass spectrometers.
Experience with chemical reactor and distillation systems.
Experience with life sciences instrumentation and processes, including ultracentrifugation, bioreactor design and operations, and protein and peptide synthesis and purification.
Knowledge of best practices for laboratory instrument piping, tube bending, and tube fitting selection.
Experience in job hazard analysis, chemical reactor hazard review, and organizing laboratory safety inspections and follow-up.
Routine use of CAD software and Microsoft Office software.
Routine use of either LabView or engineering modeling software.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of selecting sensors, valves, tube fittings, extruded aluminum and composite channel strut framing systems, wiring and cabling, HVAC, logic controllers, and data logging systems, including National Instruments products.
Familiarity with machine tool technology and R&D shop processes.
CNC skills, tool-making skills, and heat-treatment and surface-finishing process skills.

Responsibilities

Repair, assemble, maintain, or dismantle laboratory apparatuses at the direction of the Department Chair.
Support the Undergraduate Education Committee and faculty leading laboratory courses by improving the reliability and usefulness of experiments, designing and building equipment to industrial standards, and training teaching assistants in its use.
Specify and order undergraduate laboratory supplies and equipment.
Direct shop personnel and consultants in servicing, modernizing, and building research and teaching laboratory equipment.
Direct vendors and contractors for laboratory equipment installation and servicing, and manage equipment shipping, receiving, and installation.
Co-chair the Department Facilities & Safety Committee.
Respond to and resolve laboratory emergencies, including after-hours problems.
Create and update emergency action plans, including the department disaster plan.
Coordinate with the department safety Laboratory Manager, University Environmental Health & Safety, and national safety organizations to keep department practices aligned with current safety technology and resources.
Support the use of SciShield or other safety management software for chemical inventories and research laboratory chemical lists.
Advise laboratory users about safety resources in coordination with the department safety Laboratory Manager.
Manage laboratory waste storage and collection.
Coordinate and perform hands-on research laboratory fit-outs as required by faculty.
Assist researchers with research equipment systems integration, including fixture designs and equipment mounts.
Liaise with Facilities Services and Campus Planning on maintenance and laboratory improvement projects, including minor research laboratory renovations.
Serve on campus-wide committees, including the University Chemical Hygiene Committee, and other committees as directed by the Chair and Senior Business Administrator.
Recommend space changes to the CBE Chair.
Coordinate with the department safety Lab Manager and other College of Engineering Lab Managers and Coordinators to improve safety training, share best practices, and network around shared facilities and equipment.
Coordinate laboratory, equipment, and office moves, including faculty office and laboratory cleanouts.
Assist staff with preparations for symposia, research reviews, and other events.
Manage Colburn Lab loading dock traffic and compressed gas cylinder security.
Train and supervise student hourly workers.
Walk through department laboratories daily and provide hands-on technical support for CBE research projects.