Instructional Support Associate

University at Buffalo; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 51,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The University at Buffalo’s Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health seeks an Instructional Support Associate to support the department and manage the EEH biobank facility. You will oversee day-to-day operations, assist with asset, space, HR, and finance activities, with a focus on procurement.

The role requires lab experience, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work independently, with on‑call readiness for biobank system failures and specimen handling.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a laboratory environment and adherence to SOPs.
• Strong organizational and communication skills; ability to work independently.
• Authorized to work in the United States by start date.

Responsibilities

• Provide departmental financial support including procurement, budget monitoring, and expense reconciliation.
• Assist HR-related activities and manage department assets, inventories, and space.
• Lead biobank operations: specimen handling, storage, and shipping per SOPs.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and coordinate safety training.
• Coordinate emergency response procedures and facilities work orders.
• Serve on the biobank committee and prepare meetings notes and agendas.

Skills

Lab experience

SOP adherence

Laboratory safety

Education

Master’s degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Department Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health

The Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health ( EEH ) seeks an Instructional Support Associate to provide support for the department and manage the EEH biobank facility.

The Instructional Support Associate should have experience with support duties and working in a laboratory. In this position, you will provide support for the department in the areas of asset and space management, human resources, and finance, with a focus on procurement activities.

The Instructional Support Associate also oversees the day-to-day operations of the EEH biobank, including management of the specimen inventory, developing and maintaining effective standard operating procedures, project consultations, equipment monitoring and maintenance, specimen processing, storage, and shipping arrangements.

Examples of the work responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide support associated with department finances. Such responsibilities may includeprocurement, monitoring budgets, reconciliation of expenses, and processing of reimbursement requests.
• Assist the department with human resource related activities.
• Management of department assets, inventories, and space.
• Serve on school emergency response committee, develop and execute emergency response procedures. Coordinate work order requests for facilities related issues.
• Leadership of the EEH biobank committee, including scheduling and chairing steering committee monthly meetings, preparing agendas, and meeting notes.
• Consult with faculty to develop specimen transport, processing, and storage procedures. Provide cost estimates to faculty for supplies needed to process and store specimens in the biobank.
• Receive, process, and store specimens per established procedures. Procure laboratory supplies. Monitor functioning and provide routine maintenance for biobank freezers and liquid nitrogen tanks. Be available on-call to respond and manage biobank system failures to ensure the integrity of all specimens.
• Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all specimens stored in the EEH biobank and ensure all specimens are clearly labeled and organized. Retrieve specimens as requested and arrange transport.
• Provide safety and procedure training to faculty, staff, and students using biobank resources and monitor usage to ensure policies and procedures are followed.

This position requires strong professional judgement and resourcefulness, the ability to work independently, accurately handle time-sensitive matters, problem-solve and maintain confidentiality. The Instructional Support Associate must be organized, flexible, able to manage multiple projects with competing demands and make appropriate decisions regarding priority with minimal supervision. This position will require on-the-job learning and new skills development pertinent to university systems, professional associations, departmental initiatives, project procedures, and changes in university policies.

We are committed to the ongoing development of an excellent and diverse community of scholars, staff and students engaged in education, research, and service. We encourage applications from women, members of minority and historically marginalized groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Learn more:

• Our benefits , where we prioritize your well-being and success to enhance every aspect of your life.

About the University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo (UB) #ubuffalo is one of America’s leading public research universities and a flagship of the State University of New York system, recognized for our excellence and our impact. UB is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence. Our research, creative activity and people positively impact the world. Like the city we call home, UB is distinguished by a culture of resilient optimism, resourceful thinking and pragmatic dreaming that enables us to reach others every day. Visit our website to learn more about the University at Buffalo.

• Our benefits , where we prioritize your well-being and success to enhance every aspect of your life.

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience working in a laboratory environment, knowledge and adherence to laboratory safety procedures, and ability to follow SOPs.
• Demonstrated general skills required include: adaptable, organized, proactive, excellent judgment, quantitative ability. Strong technology skills including effective utilization of Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and efficient file sharing techniques. Proficiency in spreadsheet development, communication (listening, written, and oral), customer service, problem-solving, and effectively performing as part of a team.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States by their start date. The University at Buffalo does not guarantee that it will sponsor, support, or otherwise assist with obtaining work authorization

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree with experience in a similar professional role providing administrative support and managing a laboratory in an academic, healthcare, or similar institution.
• Experience processing various biological specimen types, managing a large specimen inventory, -80°C freezers, liquid nitrogen, dry ice, and biohazard waste disposal.
• Knowledge of UB administrative policies, procedures, and management systems including: RF Report Center, SIRI , UB Jobs, Concur, ShopBlue, ePTF, UBBox.

Physical Demands

Instructional Support Associate works with -80°C freezers requiring exposure to cold temperatures for short periods of time (proper PPE will be provided), ability to detect equipment alarms, observe equipment function, and position self to move specimens, equipment, and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds, occasionally requiring ascending or descending a ladder.

Driving Requirements

This position will never drive a university owned vehicle.

Salary Range

Salary Range $51,261 - $58,000

Additional Salary Information

The salary range reflects our good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting, the role and associated responsibilities, and the experience, education, and training of the selected candidate.

Job Type

Job Type Full-Time

Campus

Campus South Campus

References

Number of References Required 3