Lab Services Assistant D (Facilities)
About The Position
The Lab Services Assistant D provides general laboratory support to research labs within the Institute for Immunology and Immune Health (I3H), reporting to the Research Facilities Operations Manager. Duties include collecting and disposing of biohazard waste, washing and sterilizing laboratory glassware, monitoring and replacing research gas cylinders, and managing shared laboratory consumables. The role also monitors environmental conditions and freezers through the Aegis system, maintains cold storage units and ice machines, and performs preventative maintenance on shared scientific equipment. The position supports laboratory space planning, new lab setups, expansions, contractions, relocations, and large equipment moves. It responds to equipment emergencies and participates in a 24/7 on-call rotation, including after-hours and weekend incidents. This is an essential position expected to work when normal campus operations are unexpectedly suspended or during planned suspensions. The position is contingent upon funding.
Requirements
- Associate of Science degree and 2 to 3 years of experience in laboratory operations, facilities management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge of laboratory equipment, infrastructure, and safety requirements.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds and push, pull, and maneuver heavy items such as compressed gas cylinders and self-pressurizing gas dewars.
- Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Ability to respond to emergencies and work outside normal business hours through participation in the on-call rotation.
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements for research laboratories.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in an academic research environment.
- Experience with laboratory relocations and space planning.
- Familiarity with maintenance and repair of scientific equipment.
Responsibilities
- Perform twice-weekly floor inspections and submit reports to the Operations Manager and Assistant Facilities Manager.
- Transport biohazard waste to the collection point for vendor pickup.
- Collect, wash, sterilize, and return laboratory glassware.
- Monitor levels of critical research gases and replace cylinders as needed.
- Respond to RF helpdesk tickets in a timely manner.
- Monitor the Aegis system and respond to freezer outages following established procedures and protocols.
- Perform periodic freezer defrosts, filter cleanings, and other preventative maintenance on cold units and ice machines.
- Assist with emergency response during work hours under the direction of the Operations Manager and/or Assistant Facilities Manager.
- Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation for freezer failures and other urgent equipment issues.
- Support space allocation and planning activities.
- Assist with laboratory expansions, contractions, and relocations.
- Help coordinate laboratory setup for new faculty recruits.
- Assist in relocating existing large laboratory equipment.
- Perform routine preventative maintenance on centrifuges, shakers, incubators, and other shared equipment managed by the service center.
- Perform periodic inventory of consumables and other support materials in washrooms.
- Place orders for supplies and materials using the BENS financial system.
- Stock laboratory consumables in washrooms as needed.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
- Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
- Tuition assistance for the employee, spouse, and dependent children at Penn, and for dependent children at other institutions.
- Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans, with pre-tax or Roth savings options and investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
- Substantial time away from work during the year.
- Long-term care insurance.
- Wellness and work-life programs and resources.
- Professional and personal development resources.
- Access to University resources, libraries, athletic facilities, and cultural and recreational activities.
- Discounts and special services, including arts and cultural admissions and discounts on goods and services.
- Flexible work options and hours.
- Forgivable home ownership loan for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia.
- Adoption assistance reimbursement for eligible expenses.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
