Lab Coordinator II, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Salary Grade: 30E

Context of Job:

Under general supervision performs a variety of managerial and hands-on duties in support of building/lab safety instructional and/or research activities. Independent judgment is required to follow verbal instructions as well as instructions from drawings and writings. The principal emphasis is supporting daily operations of the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and to inspect/maintain/service equipment and instruments in both undergraduate and research labs. The Laboratory Coordinator II will report directly to the Lab Manager for daily work assignments.

Major Responsibilities:

• Director of all laboratory safety operations within the department working directly with faculty (typical faculty size of 25-30) students and researchers (typical PhD student body of 175-200; typical research staff scientist/postdoc size of 50-60) and staff to design safety programs and train students researchers and faculty regarding safe laboratory practices and expectations.
• Lead departmental liaison to EHS with oversight of all departmental safety procedures and protocols within an active chemical and biological laboratory environment involving chemical hazards biological hazards and physical hazards (e.g. high pressure / high temperature reactions)
• Oversee and conduct laboratory tasks alongside the Laboratory Manager for all research laboratories (over several hundred square feet) involving wet laboratory.
• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures for activities involving hazardous materials and/or hazardous process conditions.
• Perform regular safety inspections of research laboratories and facilities areas such as loading dock and shop/storage.
• Respond to and resolve lab safety emergencies including after-hours emergencies.
• Maintain safe clean and organized undergraduate labs. Be responsible for acquiring/distributing /maintaining an inventory of lab supplies and/or equipment.
• Conduct periodic safety inspections of the undergraduate labs.
• Assist Lab Manager with building new experiments for the undergraduate labs.
• Assist with design and construction of lab and shop equipment working from verbal instructions or drawings. Disassemble and assemble basic machines or equipment.
• Maintain and repair standard laboratory equipment which may include cleaning and sterilizing instruments glassware etc. Coordinate certain instrument calibration certification and preventive maintenance activities.
• Under the direction of the Lab Manager perform a variety of technical duties involved in conducting or assisting in laboratory fit-outs (e.g. running gas lines building local ventilation systems system integration etc.). Procure and set up laboratory equipment and instruments used in performing experiments in the laboratory or in the field.
• Receive log and notify individuals regarding package deliveries to Colburn Lab.
• Help with office/lab setups as needed and assist with directing UD Movers for deliveries and equipment moves.
• Maintain an inventory of department owned electronics and troubleshoot/repair if any issues come up.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field and four years of job-related experience in a scientific/engineering work environment or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to interact and work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community and rapidly changing technical environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students faculty and other researchers.
• Effective organizational and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of safety practices in academic research labs.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments to analyze and solve problems and to prioritize plan and organize work.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work evenings/weekends due to after-hour emergencies.