Instructional Lab Manager

University of Chicago; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago invites applications for an Instructional Lab Manager in the PSD Chemistry: Teaching Support group. This role manages Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories, collaborating with instructional faculty to understand course requirements, and oversees chemical preparation, inventory, purchasing, and storage.

The position emphasizes safety, documentation, and coordination with Environmental Health & Safety, while preparing labs and demonstrations for lectures and ensuring

Qualifications

• Requires a college/university degree in a related field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• Strong organization and proactive planning abilities are needed.

Responsibilities

• Plan and set up courses in coordination with instructional faculty.
• Prepare reagents and materials for undergraduate labs; pre-weigh solids, label, and stock reagents.
• Maintain safety protocols and OSHA-compliant lab practices; manage chemical inventory and purchasing.
• Prepare labs daily with chemicals/equipment, remove waste, and resupply during classes.
• Supervise lab technicians and coordinate safety documentation with EHS and Research Safety.
• Organize laboratories during downtime and prepare inventories for upcoming quarters.
• Communicate effectively with faculty and staff to resolve problems.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Proactive planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related field

Job description

Department

PSD Chemistry: Teaching Support

About the Department

One of the first departments founded at the University of Chicago is the Department of Chemistry. The University of Chicago has been the recipient of more than 73 Nobel Prize recipients, 15 of which came from the Department of Chemistry. Our current faculty have considerable strength in inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as in interdisciplinary research that delves into biology, physics, and materials science.

Job Summary

The Instructional Lab Manager supports instruction in teaching the Chemistry department through effective management of the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories, including working in collaboration with the instructional faculty to understand the specific requirements and set up for each course, oversee the preparation of chemicals for lab class experiments, and manage chemical/supply inventory, purchasing, and storage.

Responsibilities

• Works proactively in collaboration with the Instructional Faculty to understand the specific requirements and set up needs for each course and proactively plan and execute the appropriate set up.
• Prepares reagent solutions and other materials as needed for experiments to be used in all undergraduate laboratories. This includes synthesizing needed reagents and pre-weighing solids for experiments; transferring stock solutions to smaller reagent bottles; diluting, preparing and standardizing reagent solutions; labeling all reagents with the appropriate safety information; and cleaning and maintaining used reagent bottles/jars for future use.
• Prepares undergraduate teaching labs each day for the scheduled experiment, to include supplying chemicals and equipment, removing the previous experiment’s chemicals and equipment, and removing waste.
• Resupplies chemicals as needed during lab classes.
• Manages undergraduate chemical and equipment stockroom, making sure that reagents and equipment are kept in stock, and that the stockroom is kept clean and safe.
• Maintains chemical inventory.
• Orders all chemical supplies used by undergraduate teaching laboratories.
• Creates and maintains documentation both on experimental design/setup as well as safety protocols.
• Ensures that laboratories and stockroom meet OSHA regulations, specifically safe storage, labeling and handling of chemicals.
• Removes chemical waste from labs daily.
• Supervises and integrates with laboratory technicians in the cleaning and stocking of the teaching labs.
• Serves as the primary safety contact for the Kent instructional laboratories to Environmental Health and Safety and the Office of Research Safety, working collaboratively to report any safety incidents, remediate concerns, and maintain appropriate safety documentation and protocols for the teaching laboratories.
• Uses downtime in between quarters and in the summer to proactively organize the laboratories, complete detailed inventories, and prepare for the upcoming quarter’s courses.
• Monitors and implements improvements for teaching laboratories.
• Communicates effectively with Instructional faculty, technicians and other staff to resolve problems collaboratively.
• Performs other related work as needed, including supporting lecture demonstration needs, as well as other laboratory maintenance/up keep and improvement projects.
• Prepares and tests lecture demonstrations to ensure consistency with course content. Works with faculty or staff to determine the suitability of demonstrations for specific lectures.
• Instructs students, staff, and faculty in the operation of laboratory or classroom equipment. Promotes safety in handling equipment and/or materials.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications

—

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field.

Experience

• Background in a research laboratory.
• Relevant experience handling and managing chemicals.
• Background managing chemical inventory and purchasing.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively to resolve problems.
• Work proactively to anticipate future needs.
• Gather feedback and adjust as needed.
• Stay organized and manage and prioritize work.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact information (3) (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

Job Family

Academic Affairs

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Range

$57,000.00 - $70,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.