Laboratory Technician 1, Chemistry and Biochemistry

5626

As the liberal arts heart of the University of San Diego the College of Arts and Sciences is filled with students who are versatile and multi-talented. No matter their major graduates from the college are equipped with transferable skills that benefit them wherever their professional and personal ambitions lead.

Founded in 1949 the college has a rich history of providing the core curriculum for every undergraduate USD student a tradition that continues today. By offering 32 majors 38 minors one certificate and three graduate programs the college is where undergraduate students begin and graduate students refine their paths towards academic excellence and personal achievement.

The University of San Diego an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972 USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any or no religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanitys urgent challenges.

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 (henceforward called the specified courses). 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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Preparation and Upkeep of Laboratories:

• Prepare and set out chemicals glassware and equipment for laboratory experiments in the specified courses. Details of duties include (but are not limited to):
  • In conjunction with Director of General Chemistry and/or instructors of specified courses:
    • Determine what supplies and chemicals are needed for each experiment in the specified courses 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. Details of duties include (but are not limited to):
  • 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.

Purchasing:

• Assemble ordering information for necessary chemicals and supplies associated with the specified courses for procurement by the Chemistry Budget and Purchasing Coordinator. Details of duties include (but are not limited to):
  • 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.

Assist Faculty:

• 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.

Safety:

• 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.

Other:

• 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.

Tools and Equipment Used:

• Chemicals hazardous materials cryogens and compressed gases. Glassware chemical instrumentation. Computer photocopier telephone scanner calculator.

Special Conditions of Employment:

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• One of the following two combinations of education and experience is required:
  • A bachelors 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.

• or
  • A post-graduate thesis-based degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in Chemistry or Biochemistry.
  • Laboratory preparation experience is preferred.
  • Effective and demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills in person on the telephone or via electronic mail are essential.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Laboratory preparation experience is preferred.

Performance Expectations- Knowledge Skills andAbilities:

• 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.

$22.00 - $27.00 per hour; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical dental vision a retirement contribution given to you by the University and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience education and other factors including departmental budget.

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37.5 Hours per week

Closing date:Open until filled

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

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