Laboratory Technician 1, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Details•San Diego, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The laboratory technician serves as part of the staff team in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry dedicated to supporting the teaching and research activities in the department. The general purpose of this position is to provide support for the experimental activities undertaken by the department in its teaching and research laboratories in the Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology. Specific courses supported include Chemistry 151L, 152L, 422, 424. Support includes the preparation of chemistry laboratory experiments, management of the associated labs and preparatory spaces, supervision and training of student workers, managing the chemical inventory and hazardous waste, and determining chemicals, equipment and supplies required for the specified courses. This person will also be responsible for scheduling and support of all visiting groups in these spaces.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry and one year of laboratory experience in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a closely related research discipline. Experience may include work in an independent research lab that was performed during undergraduate studies, or work in a laboratory after graduation. Laboratory classes do not count toward experience.
A post-graduate thesis-based degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in Chemistry or Biochemistry.
Effective and demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills in person, on the telephone or via electronic mail are essential.
Considerable knowledge of how to prepare solutions and dilutions, how to standardize a solution, how to perform titration and spectroscopy experiments.
Knowledge and skill for information retrieval from the internet.
Working knowledge of safety and hazardous waste regulations as they apply to the specified laboratory courses and the department in general.
Thorough knowledge of laboratory techniques, operation and basic maintenance procedures for all instrumentation commonly used in the specified chemistry laboratory courses.
Knowledge, skill and ability using numerous computer software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite, ChemDraw and software specific to specified teaching laboratories.
Demonstrates excellent problem-solving skills and the ability/initiative to trouble-shoot experiments, experimental procedures and problems with reagents.
Demonstrates ability and experience in setting and organizing daily goals, and establishing and reorganizing job priorities to prioritize workload effectively, meet deadlines and respond to changing demands.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to assume responsibility, deal effectively with problems, and exercise independent judgment when making decisions.
Ability to express oneself clearly and effectively in written and oral form and request clarification when needed.
Ability to train and supervise student workers.
Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, staff, and students.
Ability to focus and the confidence to work under pressure in a frequently fast paced and noisy environment.
Ability and willingness to assist with maintenance of common chemistry equipment and instrumentation.

Nice To Haves

Laboratory preparation experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare and set out chemicals, glassware, and equipment for laboratory experiments in the specified courses.
Determine what supplies and chemicals are needed for each experiment and how those items can be most efficiently distributed to the students while minimizing cost and waste.
Evaluate how future experiment preparations can be improved and implement as appropriate.
Participate in weekly lab meetings with the Director or instructors of specified courses.
Write or update “prep sheets” that summarize the materials needed for each experiment.
Train and supervise Work-study students to help prepare and set up experiments.
Prepare solutions, dilutions, and standardized solutions in quantities ranging from 10 mL to 20 L.
Prepare “unknown” samples for experiments.
Assemble and set out common-use glassware equipment and instrumentation such as burets, vacuum filtration apparatus, rotovaps, and UV-Vis spectrophotometers.
Organize and maintain laboratory spaces of specified courses.
Restock lockers and common use areas.
Prepare and maintain current inventory of all chemicals and supplies used in the laboratories associated with the specified courses and preparatory spaces.
Replenish chemicals and supplies in the laboratories associated with the specified courses as needed.
Manage all hazardous waste generated in the specified teaching laboratories and work with other technical staff to arrange for disposal of unwanted chemicals.
Maintain the SDS library for all chemicals used in rooms relevant to these classes.
Maintain an orderly, safe work place.
Assemble ordering information for necessary chemicals and supplies associated with the specified courses for procurement by the Chemistry Budget and Purchasing Coordinator.
Research ordering information (vendor, catalog number, and other pertinent information) and identify most cost-effective purchase strategy and alternative vendors.
Accurately and effectively transmit ordering information for procurement by the Chemistry Budget and Purchasing Coordinator.
Under the direction of teaching faculty and the Director of General Chemistry, establish and optimize new experiments for the specified courses.
Prepare lecture demonstrations and materials for faculty upon request and manage the demonstration preparation room (SCST131).
Support hazardous waste removal in assigned faculty research labs for disposal.
As needed, and under the direction of the Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, provide general knowledge and support to faculty research labs and students.
Prepare forms and quizzes for student lab safety orientations.
Train General Chemistry teaching assistants in Haz-Comm and Safety, maintaining all records of training.
Ensure compliance with safety protocols as a member of the building Safety Committee, including attending biannual safety meetings, ensuring that safety practices are followed by students and faculty, and performing sweeps during drills and alarms in assigned areas.
Manage visiting groups (including summer, intersession, and high school groups) using chemistry laboratories: Arrange prep agreements with visiting users; Provide materials for visiting users as delineated in contracts; Provide safety training for visiting users and ensure that safety regulations are observed.
Share responsibility for small and large laboratory equipment maintenance listed in Table 1. In coordination with other staff members, this includes responding to reports of problems, contacting service personnel/vendor and scheduling/oversight of repairs.
Interface with Instrument Specialist to provide budget for service calls and repairs.