Laboratory Coordinator

University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas is seeking a Laboratory Coordinator for their Human Anatomy observation and dissection courses. This role involves overseeing the management, maintenance, and ethical handling of donor materials, ensuring safety compliance, and supporting lab operations. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's or Master's level education in biology or a related field and demonstrate excellent documentation and communication skills.

The position includes maintaining high ethical standards, close collaboration with faculty and peers, and support for instructional needs. Interested applicants should hold relevant experience and a strong attention to detail.

Qualifications

• 5 years of related experience or equivalent academic credentials.
• Experience in a gross anatomy laboratory setting.
• Highly detail-oriented with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain human donor specimens.
• Manage daily lab operations and ensure safety compliance.
• Provide instructional support for faculty and students.

Skills

Documentation skills

Organization skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in biology or related field

Job description

Position Overview

This position prepares, maintains, and assists in the human donor acquisition, usage, and dissection procedures required for the Human Anatomy Observation and Human Anatomy Dissection laboratory courses, including overseeing safe use and disposal of biohazardous materials. Laboratory Coordinator works with Laboratory Director, graduate teaching assistants, undergraduate teaching assistants, and other staff as needed, always ensuring compliance with all institutional, local, state and federal regulations of human anatomy laboratories. Laboratory Coordinator also assists Laboratory Director with Human Anatomy Laboratory daily laboratory operations, safety protocols, safety procedures, safety trainings, and supports room, model, donor, and equipment maintenance through the complete process. This position maintains a customer service attitude and interacts with a diverse population. This Laboratory Coordinator position is a integral supporting role for the successful execution of BIOL 241: Human Anatomy Observation Lab & BIOL 442: Human Anatomy Dissection Lab.

Job Description

30% - Human Anatomy Laboratory Management

• Uphold high ethical standards in handling human remains.
• Maintain confidentiality of student and donor information.
• Oversee acquisition, preservation, maintenance, and disposal of human donor specimens, including coordinating disposal of hazardous materials.
• Ensure proper moisture control, storage, and care of anatomical specimens.
• Maintain chain-of-custody and confidentiality of all human donor records.
• Support or coordinate aspects of the body donation program, including donor communication, transportation, and disposition.

30% - Human Anatomy Laboratory Operations and Safety

• Manage daily operations of the gross anatomy lab, ensuring cleanliness, safety, and compliance with institutional, state, and governmental regulations related to anatomical gifts and human donor use.
• Develop and enforce lab safety protocols, including hazardous waste handling and air quality monitoring.
• Coordinate with facilities and custodial staff for lab maintenance and ventilation.
• Act as emergency contact for the lab.
• Manage lab access, key codes, and security protocols.
• Ensure completion of required safety training and/or maintain signed documentation (e.g., PPE, bloodborne pathogens, etc.) for students, staff, faculty, and guests in the Human Anatomy Lab.
• Provide training in lab safety, equipment use, and hygienic practices.
• Oversee open lab hours and ensure lab access is secure and supervised.
• Maintain accurate records for human donor usage, injury reports, and lab operations.
• Assist with departmental reporting as needed.

20% - Inventory and Equipment Oversight

• Maintain and update inventory of lab supplies, preservation fluids, anatomical models, and dissection tools.
• Track lab materials and ensure equipment is functional and calibrated.
• Conduct annual inventory and minor repairs of skeletal collections and models.

20% - Instructional and Technical Support

• Assist faculty, staff, and students with dissection support and prosection preparation.
• Coordinate with course instructors on lab scheduling, donor needs, prosection needs, and instructional documents.
• Guide and supervise student assistants, graduate teaching assistants, and lab users.

Required Qualifications

1. High school/GED and 5 years related experience OR Bachelor's degree with one year of related experience OR Master's degree in biology, exercise science, or closely related field. Work related experience should be in educational, or laboratory settings or operations management.
2. Documented experience in a gross anatomy laboratory setting as evidenced by application materials.
3. Excellent documentation, organization, and communication skills including both oral and written, to a technical and non-technical audience, is highly detail-oriented, and able to oversee multiple tasks both short- and long-term, as demonstrated by application materials.
4. Demonstrated experience working as part of a highly collaborative team as evidenced by application materials.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, [e-mail], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.