Lead Instructional Specialist, Lab - Oxford College of Emory University

Emory University•Oxford, GA

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Instructional Specialist, Lab supports instructional laboratory operations for Oxford College of Emory University’s Chemistry program. Working with faculty and laboratory coordinators, the position coordinates laboratory preparation and supports the delivery and continued development of undergraduate laboratory courses, with primary anticipated support for CHEM 150L, CHEM 202L, CHEM 203L, and other courses as assigned. It provides technical expertise and instructional support to students, faculty, student employees, and other authorized laboratory users. The role ensures that chemicals, reagents, supplies, samples, equipment, and instructional materials are available and appropriately prepared and used. It oversees the operational readiness and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment and specialized instruments, including NMR, IR, and rotary evaporators, and coordinates specialized repairs and technical support as needed. The position maintains chemical inventories, coordinates hazardous waste management, and establishes and supports compliance with University, environmental, and federal laboratory safety requirements. The Lead Instructional Specialist hires, trains, schedules, supervises, and evaluates student laboratory employees. The position also coordinates purchasing and inventory, maintains laboratory and compliance records and procedures, and collaborates with faculty, laboratory coordinators, department leadership, vendors, and University partners to support safe, effective, and consistent laboratory operations. Position tasks are generally performed in person at an Emory University location; remote-work options may be granted at department discretion.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biological or physical sciences or a related field.
Three years of research or instructional experience in a science laboratory.
Advanced knowledge of chemistry laboratory practices, techniques, instrumentation, and safety procedures.
Ability to prepare and support multiple laboratory courses and sections with competing schedules and requirements.
Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized scientific instrumentation.
Knowledge of chemical handling, storage, inventory, and hazardous waste practices.
Ability to provide effective demonstrations and technical training to students and laboratory users.
Strong organizational and planning skills, including the ability to anticipate preparation needs and manage multiple priorities.
Ability to exercise independent judgment when resolving laboratory operational, technical, safety, and equipment issues.
Effective written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate with faculty, students, staff, vendors, and University partners.
Ability to supervise, train, schedule, and direct student employees.
Ability to lift objects up to 40 lbs.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in chemistry or a closely related field.
Experience supporting undergraduate Chemistry laboratory instruction.
Experience preparing chemical reagents, solutions, and materials for instructional laboratories.
Experience operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting scientific instrumentation, particularly NMR, IR, or comparable analytical instrumentation.
Experience with chemical inventory management, hazardous materials handling, and laboratory waste management.
Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and applicable environmental, institutional, and federal requirements.
Experience training or supervising students or laboratory personnel.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty and students in an academic laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and support laboratory preparation for designated Chemistry courses, including anticipated primary support for CHEM 150L, CHEM 202L, and CHEM 203L.
Collaborate with laboratory coordinators and faculty to plan and prepare laboratory instructional activities.
Advise faculty on equipment, instrumentation, reagents, supplies, and other materials needed for experiments.
Prepare, organize, set up, and maintain laboratory materials, samples, chemical solutions, reagents, equipment, and instructional resources.
Provide demonstrations, technical guidance, and instructional support to students as appropriate.
Oversee the operational readiness and routine maintenance of Chemistry laboratory equipment and specialized scientific instrumentation.
Perform routine maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, and operational checks on NMR, IR, rotary evaporators, and other instrumentation.
Coordinate with manufacturers, vendors, and University partners for specialized repairs, maintenance, and technical support.
Develop and maintain instrument-operation and maintenance procedures and documentation.
Train and guide authorized users in the safe and appropriate operation of Chemistry instrumentation.
Monitor equipment condition and recommend repairs, replacement, or acquisition.
Serve as a primary resource for Chemistry laboratory safety practices and training.
Establish, implement, and maintain laboratory safety procedures consistent with University requirements and applicable environmental and federal guidelines.
Provide or coordinate safety training for students, student employees, faculty, and other laboratory users.
Maintain chemical inventories and monitor chemical storage, labeling, handling, and safety practices.
Coordinate the collection, storage, documentation, and disposal of chemical and hazardous laboratory waste.
Liaise with laboratory coordinators, research chemists, EHSO, and other University offices on safety, inventories, hazardous waste, and compliance matters.
Maintain laboratory safety, chemical inventory, equipment, and compliance records.
Coordinate purchasing, receipt, organization, and maintenance of chemicals, supplies, instructional materials, and equipment.
Maintain inventory levels and anticipate laboratory needs based on course schedules, enrollment, planned experiments, and faculty requirements.
Work with faculty and laboratory coordinators to identify resource needs and plan for equipment replacement or acquisition.
Maintain organized laboratory preparation and storage areas and support effective use of shared Chemistry laboratory resources.
Develop and maintain operational procedures and documentation for consistent laboratory preparation and support.
Hire, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate student employees supporting Chemistry laboratory operations.
Coordinate student hiring and employment processes with the University Student Employment office.
Establish student work assignments and schedules with laboratory coordinators based on preparation and instructional needs.
Review and manage student employee timekeeping and required employment processes.
Provide direction, training, and feedback to student employees and ensure they follow laboratory safety and operating procedures.
Coordinate with Chemistry faculty, laboratory coordinators, and department leadership on scheduling, instructional needs, equipment, supplies, safety, and operational priorities.
Identify opportunities to improve laboratory preparation, equipment utilization, safety, and operational efficiency.
Support efforts to expand laboratory instructional capacity and provide consistent, high-quality student laboratory experiences.
Maintain current knowledge of laboratory practices, instrumentation, safety requirements, and University procedures.
Perform related responsibilities as required.