Laboratory Coordinator

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

Job summary

The University of Kansas is looking for a skilled professional who facilitates communication and ensures the safe operation of all laboratory facilities. The chosen candidate will be responsible for managing testing and instrumentation systems, training faculty and students, and developing safety procedures.

The ideal applicant will possess a High School Diploma and relevant experience or a degree in a related field. Proven troubleshooting skills and the ability to communicate effectively are essential. Join us to contribute to our dynamic research environment.

Qualifications

• Five years of related experience in a laboratory or construction environment.
• Experience in developing safety procedures.
• Ability to troubleshoot, maintain, and repair laboratory equipment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enforce laboratory safety procedures.
• Coordinate and schedule laboratory equipment for projects.
• Manage testing and instrumentation systems for research.

Skills

Safety procedures enforcement

Troubleshooting skills

Excellent written communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree in related field

Tools

Hydraulic systems

Electrical systems

Pneumatic systems

Job description

Position Overview

Facilitates communication among laboratory users and safe operation within all departmental laboratory facilities. Collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to design, test and execute experimental research, field studies, instructional experiments or demonstrations, and student competition team project fabrication. Will procure, build, transport, operate, and maintain equipment and materials. Trains faculty, staff, and students in the use of facilities and equipment; may include curriculum development. Assists with scheduling of space and equipment for research, instruction, and other functions. Assists with security. Supervises student employees; may supervise staff. This position will interact directly with faculty and students and must be able to interact well with all types of personalities from diverse populations. Will establish priorities for projects in addition to general operation and coordination of work between various laboratories.

Job Description

• 20% - Responsible for the development, maintenance, training, and enforcement of laboratory safety procedures. Familiar with University of Kansas Environmental Health and Safety procedures for hazardous materials, laboratory rules, and requirements.
• 20% - Interact with faculty, staff, laboratory assistants, and students to coordinate, schedule and operate laboratory equipment and space for class projects, research projects, student project competitions, and laboratory demonstrations. Train and supervise all laboratory users and staff for custom research applications, laboratory demonstrations, and student competition projects. Coordinate and schedule project requests for departmental faculty and research staff, as well as academic assistants. Supervision entails establishing project priorities and assigning work according to skill and abilities of students and subordinates.
• 20% - Develop and manage testing, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems for teaching and research activities in all departmental laboratories. Work with faculty to order, set-up, operate, maintain or arrange for service for all systems. Provide technical training and assistance to faculty, students, and staff personnel in the regular use, maintenance, and, as appropriate, calibration of facilities, equipment, and instrumentation. Design, fabricate, and modify test fixtures for equipment utilizing hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic, and mechanical equipment, mills, lathes, band saws, various arc welding processes, plasma cutters, bobcat, forklift, and crane. Install hoses and pipes using a wide range of fittings, on hydraulic equipment, cut and thread pipe for various equipment. Attend industry training courses to maintain/improve current competence.
• 20% - Prepare specifications and orders for equipment and materials that have to be purchased through the bid process. Effectively monitor, plan, and utilize allocated supplies and equipment funds. Oversee and arrange shipping, moving, installation, repair, calibration, and preventive maintenance of all departmental laboratory equipment and instruments.
• 10% - Maintain and reconcile departmental space allocation and use inventory. Maintain and reconcile, in cooperation with departmental accounting office, physical inventory, including equipment and property.
• 10% - Other laboratory related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with five years’ related experience OR Bachelor’s degree with one year of related experience OR Master’s degree in field related to discipline.
• Experience developing and enforcing safety procedures in construction and/or laboratory environments as demonstrated in application materials.
• Five years of experience troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing equipment.
• Excellent written communication skills as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five years of experience in general carpentry, machining, welding, preventive maintenance, and repairs.
• Experience in the design, construction, maintenance, and modification of custom laboratory equipment and devices, including hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic, and mechanical systems with manual and automated controls.
• At least one year of experience with pipe fittings and the ability to cut, thread and fit pipe for air and water applications, including hydraulic fittings, tubing and hoses.
• Has had hazardous waste training.