Lab Coordination Assistant, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado School of Mines seeks a Lab Coordinator Assistant for the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. The role reports to the Lab Coordinator III and supports building operations, equipment installation and maintenance, and facility improvements to aid education and research.

The position involves supervising students on fabrication projects, coordinating lab maintenance, and ensuring safe, compliant lab environments.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of experience in lab, machine shop, fabrication, facilities maintenance, or related environment.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Support general laboratory improvements and assist with fabrication projects.
• Supervise and instruct students performing fabrication tasks.
• Ensure equipment, materials, and supplies are available for labs and classes.
• Enforce safety rules and environmental regulations.

Skills

Lab safety

Equipment maintenance

Fabrication supervision

Microsoft Office

Electronic work orders

Strong communication

Prioritization

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's degree or technical certificate (related field)

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Shop tools

Job description

Colorado School of Mines is seeking a Lab Coordinator Assistant to support the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (MME). Reporting to the Lab Coordinator III, this role assists with building operations, equipment installation and maintenance, facility improvements, and other activities that support the department’s education and research mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Laboratory Support (40%)

• Support efforts for general laboratory improvements (those not managed by specific lab manager) through collaboration directly with faculty and lab managers.
• Provide supervision, oversight and instruction of students performing projects that require fabrication
• Ensure that the necessary equipment, materials, and supplies related to the general labs for functional and available to students and faculty
• Enforce all safety rules and environmental regulations
• Purchase and when necessary, fabricate equipment, tools and supplies used in the general/shared research labs related to classes, student projects and research lab efforts
• Ensures all lab equipment is running efficiently and properly in the research labs
• If needed, repair and/or coordinate the repair of research lab equipment
• Provide technical support in the design, fabrication and use of various laboratory equipment and tools
• Coordinate facility modifications and repairs with plant facilities and other departments
• Identify, and discuss infrastructure problems and propose solutions if lab restructuring is needed
• As needed, responsible for ensuring that malfunctioning equipment is repaired quickly and economically
• Assist in managing the Blastercard system for all new Hill Hall personnel
• Assist with physical cylinder management within Hill Hall
• Other related tasks as assigned by Lab Coordinator III

Building Management Support (40%)

• Assists in the submittal of Facilities work orders to get building maintenance performed and or safety issues corrected
• Assists Lab Coordinator III in Determining how best to repair malfunctioning equipment quickly and economically and ensures completion.
• Assists Lab Coordinator III to ensure that department laboratories and work spaces are compliant with Fire Safety regulations.
• Helps make recommendations to faculty concerning new equipment requirements as to support systems and infrastructure required for safe operation
• Assists Lab Coordinator III in upgrading safety plans. For example, as new equipment is added, ensures that procedures to operate the equipment are added to the safety plan.

Technical Assistance (15%)

• Students with little or no experience will often overestimate their abilities with equipment. The technician must help make decisions on how to address unsafe or improper machine usage
• If equipment fails, the technician must be able to diagnose and then troubleshoot and repair (or coordinate repair) of shop and laboratory equipment. Repairs must be timely and economical.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Other duties as assigned to meet the objectives goals of the program and/or Mines.

JOB DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Physical Requirements: must be able to lift 50 lbs
• Potential Environmental Conditions/Hazards: Should be able to use a half mask respirator and pass a fit test.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Level of Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED.
• One (1) year of experience supporting laboratory, machine shop, fabrication, facilities maintenance, manufacturing, technical operations, engineering, research, or related environments.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Must be able to obtain and maintain training required to safely operate laboratory and fabrication equipment.
• Must be able to wear a respirator and successfully pass a respirator fit test.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Attributes (KSAOs):

• Basic knowledge of shop equipment, hand tools, power tools, laboratory equipment, or mechanical systems.
• Ability to perform routine troubleshooting, maintenance, and minor repairs on equipment.
• Knowledge of workplace safety practices and ability to follow established safety procedures.
• Ability to read and follow technical manuals, operating procedures, and safety documentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, vendors, and facilities personnel.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and respond to equipment and facility maintenance needs in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated customer service and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to supervise and instruct students in the safe operation of tools and equipment.
• Proficiency with basic computer applications, including Microsoft Office and electronic work-order systems.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in laboratory, machine shop, and research environments.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Desired Level of Education and Experience:

• Associate's degree, technical certificate, or bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Technology, Engineering Technology, or a closely related field.
• Two (2) or more years of experience in a laboratory, research, fabrication, machine shop, manufacturing, facilities, or engineering support environment.
• Experience in an academic, research, higher education, or scientific laboratory setting.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Forklift certification.
• First Aid/CPR certification.
• Machine shop, welding, fabrication, or industrial equipment certifications.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Attributes (KSAOs):

• Knowledge of laboratory safety programs, hazardous materials handling, and environmental compliance requirements.
• Experience coordinating equipment installation, maintenance, or repair activities.
• Experience purchasing laboratory equipment, tools, supplies, or technical materials.
• Ability to fabricate simple components and fixtures to support laboratory operations.
• Working knowledge of building systems and facility infrastructure.
• Electrical troubleshooting, controls, or industrial equipment maintenance experience.
• Familiarity with compressed gas cylinder management and laboratory access control systems.
• Experience supporting student design projects, instructional laboratories, or engineering research activities.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 40 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2026).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting