Research Lab Manager - Cleanroom

Texas Tech University•Lubbock, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Key personnel that will assist in conducting meaningful research to assist faculty in teaching and research programs. The Texas Tech University Semiconductor Cleanroom Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the university’s semiconductor cleanroom facilities. This role ensures safe, efficient, and compliant operation of the cleanroom to support interdisciplinary research, teaching, and external partnerships. The Cleanroom Manager oversees equipment, protocols, user training, and staff coordination while serving as a technical resource for faculty, students, and industry collaborators.

Requirements

Master's degree
Four years of job-related experience
Candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background check prior to employment.
Employees are required to comply with all applicable state and federal regulations related to the protection of critical infrastructure.
Ongoing employment is dependent upon maintaining eligibility for access and successfully passing periodic security and compliance reviews.

Nice To Haves

Additional job-related education may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

Participate in the planning, design, and commissioning of the semiconductor cleanroom. Provide technical input on layout, workflow, tool placement, utilities, and infrastructure to ensure operational efficiency, safety, and compliance.
Develop, review, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cleanroom operations, safety, equipment use, and facility workflows to ensure consistent, compliant, and efficient operation.
Collaborate with faculty, engineers, architects, and contractors during design reviews and construction phases.
Support equipment move-in, installation, and qualification during facility startup or expansion.
Manage daily operations of the cleanroom, including scheduling, access control, and space utilization.
Ensure compliance with cleanroom standards (e.g., ISO classifications), safety regulations, and university policies.
Develop, implement, and enforce cleanroom operating procedures, safety protocols, and emergency response plans.
Monitor environmental conditions (particle counts, temperature, humidity) and coordinate corrective actions as needed.
Participate in research proposal development by defining cleanroom capabilities, processes, costs, and feasibility.
Translates research concepts into executable cleanroom process flows.
Aligns facility infrastructure and equipment planning with research needs.
Enables advanced semiconductor research through exploratory development, training and standardized processes.
Oversee installation, qualification, calibration, maintenance, and repair of cleanroom tools and infrastructure.
Manage service contracts, preventive maintenance schedules, and vendor relationships.
Maintain equipment documentation, logs, and certification records.
Support and optimize fabrication, characterization, and processing workflows relevant to the cleanroom’s mission.
Train and certify faculty, students, and external users on cleanroom safety, protocols, and equipment operation.
Enforce user compliance with cleanroom rules and best practices.
Serve as a technical consultant to users on process development, troubleshooting, and safe equipment use.
Coordinate onboarding and offboarding of cleanroom users.
Supervise cleanroom technical staff, student workers, and/or technicians as applicable.
Assist with hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluation of cleanroom personnel.
Manage consumables inventory, purchasing, and cost control.
Support budgeting, recharge models, and usage reporting.
Ensure compliance with environmental health and safety (EHS) regulations, chemical hygiene plans, and waste disposal requirements.
Conduct regular safety inspections, audits, and risk assessments.
Maintain incident reports and coordinate corrective and preventive actions.
Support accreditation, internal reviews, and external audits.
Contribute to strategic planning for cleanroom expansion, upgrades, and new capabilities.
Support grant proposals, capital equipment justifications, and facility reports.
Interface with faculty leadership, university administration, and external partners.
Promote effective utilization of the cleanroom for research, education, and industry collaboration.