Lab Operations Associate – Innovation Labs

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 22,500 - 27,500; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid vacation

Tuition assistance

Training access

Employee discount program

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is hiring a Lab Operations Associate to support the Innovation Labs at the main campus. This role entails assisting in daily operations of a state-of-the-art bio-science incubator, focusing on equipment management, safety compliance, and inventory control.

Ideal candidates will have an associate's degree in a scientific discipline and practical laboratory experience. The position is part-time, expected to continue until June 17, 2027, with an hourly rate of $25/h.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in an academic or commercial laboratory.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety programs and hazardous waste procedures.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to excellence.

Responsibilities

• Assist in day-to-day operations of the facilities.
• Install, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment.
• Implement and maintain lab safety programs.
• Manage inventory of lab consumables and break-room provisions.

Skills

Operational Support

Equipment management

Safety compliance

Quality assurance

Inventory management

Communication skills

Education

Associate’s degree in a scientific discipline

High school diploma with two years of equivalent experience

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Job Posting Title: Lab Operations Associate – Innovation Labs

Hiring Department: Discovery to Impact

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 20

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Jun 17, 2027

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Purpose

UT Discovery to Impact Innovation Labs is a brand-new, state-of-the-art 10,000-square-foot bio-science incubator designed to be a launchpad for innovative startup companies. Our role is to support companies as they discover, create, and build technologies to improve the human experience through solving real-world problems. The Lab Operations Associate will support the Innovation Labs Manager in the daily operations, maintenance, and development of this program. This hands-on role is essential in ensuring the smooth functioning of a shared laboratory facility, assisting with equipment and facility management, safety compliance, training, and support for company members.

Benefits (selected)

The university offers a benefits package including, but not limited to:

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation (8 hours/month), paid holidays (10+/year), sick time (8 hours/month), and longevity pay
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

For more details on benefits, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards.

Responsibilities

• Operational Support: Assist in the day-to-day operations of the facilities, including people-first client support, equipment and facility management, safety, quality assurance, and inventory management. Serve as a point of contact for lab and building issues.
• Equipment: Install, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and instruments. Perform routine checks, maintain logs, sterilize and clean glassware. Coordinate with vendors for maintenance and repair. Provide training and ensure proper use of equipment. Support implementation and maintenance of equipment scheduling systems.
• Safety & Compliance: Assist in implementing and maintaining UT EHS and lab safety programs, including PPE, chemical hygiene, chemical inventory tracking, and hazardous waste disposal.
• Quality Assurance: Create and update standard operating procedures for equipment use, maintenance, training, and safety protocols.
• Facilities: Ensure spaces and infrastructure are clean and in good repair. Coordinate with UT Facilities, building management, and custodial staff. Prepare space for new companies to join and ensure proper move-out procedures are followed.
• Inventory & Purchasing: Organize, track, and manage inventory of lab consumables and break-room provisions. Assist with purchasing and receiving. Optimize resource use.
• Training: Provide hands-on training for equipment, safety programs, security, and emergency preparedness.
• Client Support: Assist in on- and off-boarding company members. Coordinate with Human Resources and Environmental Health and Safety to ensure appropriate processes are followed. Provide daily support to optimize research productivity.
• Community Engagement: Support tours, events, and marketing efforts to promote the Innovation Labs and engage with the startup and research community.
• Other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in a scientific discipline (e.g., biology, chemistry, bioengineering) OR High school diploma with two years of equivalent experience.
• Training in a scientific discipline or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in an academic or commercial laboratory including operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Working towards a bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety programs and hazardous waste procedures.
• People-first focus with an optimistic attitude.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to excellence.
• Must be able to lift over 50 pounds and stand for multiple hours.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with bio-science laboratory settings, including cellular, molecular, and microbiology techniques.
• Experience with quality systems and inventory management.
• Knowledge of UT systems and procedures (EHS, BFS).
• Experience supporting startup or incubator companies.

Compensation & Schedule

Hourly Rate: $25/hr

Work Schedule: Part-time: 20-40 hrs/week; Mon-Fri. Fixed term position for 1 year.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• 3 work references with contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Important Applicant Information

For applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume in the first step of the online job application process. Then, any additional Required Materials will be uploaded in the My Experience section; you can multi-select the additional files or click Upload for each file. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

For Current university employees and contingent workers: You MUST apply within Workday by searching Find Jobs and updating your Professional Profile before applying. The application is one page and you may need to upload your Resume, References and any additional Required Materials noted above.

Employment Details & Compliance

Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings recruited through University-Wide or Open Recruiting. Promotional opportunities and lateral transfers are included.

Retirement Plan Eligibility: TRS, subject to at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s).

Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate on many bases in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency: UT Austin will not discharge or discriminate for inquiries about pay; however, disclosure of pay information may be restricted in certain circumstances.

Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will complete the federal I-9 form and present identity documents no later than the third day of employment.

E-Verify: UT Austin uses E-Verify for new hires. Company ID: 854197. Reference posters and rights available on request.

Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and Clery Act; Campus Security Authority notifications may apply. The Clery Act requires notification of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report availability.