Lab Technician - Chemistry

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Hoffman Estates (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a skilled laboratory technician to support chemistry laboratory courses. This role involves the operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, technical support for faculty, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. Ideal candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and have at least one year of lab experience.

The successful applicant will maintain and organize laboratory environments while managing supplies and equipment effectively. Strong knowledge of safety standards and lab procedures is essential.

Qualifications

• At least one year of chemistry laboratory experience including operation and maintenance of common laboratory instrumentation.
• Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software required.
• Knowledge of chemistry laboratory safety preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identifies, prepares, and inventories supplies and equipment for laboratory courses.
• Provides technical laboratory and safety support to faculty for laboratory exercises.
• Collaborates with course instructors to monitor changes to laboratory protocols.
• Assists in problem solving of laboratory experiments, equipment, instrumentation.
• Maintains the laboratories, stockrooms, preparation rooms in orderly condition.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a science discipline

Tools

Common laboratory instrumentation

Word processing software

Spreadsheet software

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

42.11306

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemistry with an emphasis on laboratory skills and instrumentation or a Bachelor’s degree in a science discipline with at least 24 hours in chemistry.
• Experience: At least one year of chemistry laboratory experience including operation and maintenance of common laboratory instrumentation. Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software required. Knowledge of chemistry laboratory safety preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identifies, prepares, and inventories supplies and equipment required for laboratory courses and ensures supplies and equipment are accurately prepared, readily available, and set up as required.
• Responsible for providing technical laboratory and safety support to faculty for laboratory exercises.
• Collaborates with course instructors to monitor any changes to laboratory protocols to assure that laboratory needs are met.
• Assists in problem solving of laboratory experiments, equipment, instrumentation and takes corrective action.
• Assists with maintaining inventory and identifying needs of all department supplies, equipment, instrumentation, and laptop computers.
• Maintains the laboratories, stockrooms, preparation rooms, storage rooms, and instrumentation rooms in orderly and neat condition by cleaning and storing supplies and equipment.
• Coordinates care and performs routine maintenance including calibration, repair and/or construction of all department laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Monitors facilities and utilities such as de-ionized water, plumbing, compressed air, natural gas, electricity, and ventilation. Communicates all facilities, utilities, and custodial issues through proper channels and to all appropriate parties.
• Responds to unexpected situations and contacts the appropriate personnel.
• Meets regularly with the department chair and laboratory coordinator to collaboratively discuss workflow, troubleshoot issues, and assess department laboratory needs.
• Assists chemical hygiene officer and/or laboratory coordinator in monitoring health, safety and storage issues with respect to lab instruction, evaluating hazards, assessing risks in procedures and supplies used in laboratory experiments. Collects and disposes of laboratory waste according to OSHA safety standards.
• Assists in maintaining a file of Safety Data Sheets and other appropriate safety documentation.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Works indoors with hazardous chemicals. Work involves moving throughout the laboratories in an area with an outside perimeter of nearly an eighth of a mile and occasionally climbing ladders. Work may also involve lifting of containers up to 30 lbs. and moving compressed gas cylinders.

EQUIPMENT / TOOLS USED

Utilizes technical laboratory equipment and computers in order to perform the duties of the job.

CERTIFICATES AND TRAINING TO BE OBTAINED IN THE COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT

• Complete required Laboratory Safety Training.

SUPERVISION

• Under the general supervision of the Dean of Mathematics and Science Division. Receives day-to-day guidance from the Laboratory Coordinator and Department Chair. Performs routine duties without receiving instruction. Receives instructions as needed for specific assignments.