Laboratory Coordinator I

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 52,032 - 58,974; Full time

Job summary

University of Colorado Denver is seeking a Laboratory Coordinator I to support the General Chemistry teaching labs on the Downtown campus. The role manages chemical inventory, safety compliance, and lab operations to ensure accurate instructional experiences for undergraduate students.

Responsibilities include overseeing lab logistics, chemical procurement, and weekly NMR maintenance under supervision, with a focus on safety and effective student advisement within the Chemistry Department.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of hands-on experience supporting an undergraduate chemistry teaching lab.
• Must have taken at least one year of organic chemistry with lab and provide proof of passing grades.

Responsibilities

• Oversee CU Denver General Chemistry Teaching Labs – 50% responsibilities.
• Chemical management and hazardous waste handling – 20%.
• Procurement of chemicals, glassware, and lab supplies – 15%.
• Perform weekly NMR maintenance and assist with advanced maintenance.

Skills

Lab experience

Chemistry knowledge

Safety compliance

Record keeping

Student advisement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry (preferred)

Job description

Position Details

University of Colorado | Denver

Class Title (Required by Rule): Laboratory Coordinator I

Working Title (Required by Rule): Laboratory Coordinator I

Working Location (Required by Rule): Downtown Denver campus Science Building, 1150 12th St, Denver, CO 80204

FTE: Full-time

Salary Range: $52,032 - $58,974

Position # 00300161 – Requisition # 40629

About the University of Colorado – Denver

The University of Colorado Denver is the state's premier public urban research university and equity-serving institution. Globally connected and locally invested, CU Denver partners with future-focused learners and communities to design accessible, relevant, transformative educational experiences for every stage of life and career. Across seven schools and colleges in the heart of downtown Denver, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges through breakthrough innovations and impactful research, and creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. For more information, visit ucdenver.edu.

Type of Announcement (Required by Rule)

• Open Competitive: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Method of Appointment (Required by Rule)

Appointment to the vacancy or vacancies represented by this announcement is expected to be from the eligible list created. However, at the discretion of the appointing authority, the position(s) may be filled by another method of appointment for a valid articulated business reason.

Job Description (Required by Rule)

The Department of Chemistry at the Denver campus provides academic advisement and instruction in the chemical sciences to undergraduate and graduate degree seeking students of the University of Colorado Denver Campus. The educational experience includes lecture, recitation, laboratory and independent research in basic subfields of chemistry such as organic, physical, analytical, inorganic and biochemistry. Emphasis on knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular theory and reactivity and properties of chemical substances are developed. Mathematical skills are applied to understand fundamental chemical relationships and manipulate experimental data.

The department provides courses to undergraduate science majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as well as engineering majors in the College of Engineering. The department also services graduate studies to science and environmental students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering and the Graduate School of Public Affairs. The work unit assists in these endeavors by preparing necessary instructional materials, chemicals, solutions, equipment, assembling chemical apparatus and provides staff support in training, safety guidance and the execution of administrative details of the Chemistry Department programs.

Laboratory Coordinator I

What you will do:

The state classified Laboratory Coordinator I position is responsible for providing student education laboratory related support services. This position procures and manages chemical inventory, instruments and equipment, ensures general chemistry operation protocol and procedures adhere to EH&S chemical management plan and safety regulations, manages hazardous materials, waste, and records, and provides advisement to students, faculty, and staff on established procedures. The position is responsible for office and record keeping functions that support the student teaching chemistry laboratory.

Job duties/examples of work performed include:

Oversee the CU Denver General Chemistry Teaching Labs – 50%

• Monitor and report activities and operations within the labs.
• Setup and take down weekly experiments.
• Prepare chemical solutions and reagents.
• Adhere to EH&S chemical management plan and safety regulations
• Maintain operational quantities of glassware, chemicals and equipment.
• Oversee hood, plumbing and other infrastructure repairs to general teaching labs.
• Serve as backup lab coordinator for the organic chemistry and other upper division labs as needed.

Chemical Management – 20%

• Organize, handle, store and inventory chemicals and waste to minimize hazards, exposure and environmental impact.
• Monitor and maintain limited amounts of flammable materials per Denver Fire Code.
• Execute safeguards as prescribed by EH&S to protect students and staff from these hazards and maintain records of chemical inventory and waste management.
• Create and develop protocols for safe handling and storage of chemicals within the general chemistry labs.

Procurement of chemicals, instruments and lab supplies – 15%

• Procure materials related to academic lab instruction, including chemicals, glassware, disposables, instrumentation, safety supplies and external analytical services.

Perform basic (weekly) NMR maintenance – 15%

• Under direction of the Sr. Professional Research Assistant (PRA), refill Cryogen weekly to maintain the Chemistry Department NMR which requires the ordering of liquid nitrogen, transfer of the liquid nitrogen to a compatible/nonmagnetic dewar if necessary and then filling the NMR with liquid nitrogen to prevent quenching.
• Monitor liquid helium consumption and refill the magnet approximately twice per year.
• Assist the Sr. PRA with advanced NMR maintenance which includes changing the probe from standard to low temperature or liquid to solid state.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum and Special Qualifications) (Required by Rule)

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at time of hire.

• Two (2) years of hands-on experience supporting an apost-secondary chemistry laboratory, including ALL of the following:
  • Preparing reagents and chemical solutions
  • Managing chemical inventory and hazardous waste
  • Setting up and breaking down instructional lab experiments
  • Maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation (e.g., balances, spectrometers, hoods)
• AND must have taken at least one (1) year of organic chemistry with lab and provide proof of passing grade(s) on transcript(s).

Substitution: An additional one (1) year of experience supporting an organic chemistry lab including preparing reagents and chemical solutions; managing chemical inventory and hazardous waste; setting up and breaking down instructional lab experiments; and maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation may substitute for the required organic chemistry with lab course.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)(Required by Rule)

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Laboratory Management, or directly related discipline.
• Experience working directly with students in an instructional chemistry laboratory, such as supporting lab sections, providing safety guidance, or assisting with experiment setup.
• Experience maintaining or supporting analytical instrumentation, including NMR or comparable equipment used in teaching labs.
• Demonstrated experience complying with chemical safety standards, hazardous waste regulations, and safety protocols (e.g., EH&S)
• Experience with procurement of chemicals, lab supplies, and chemical equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting lab techniques, experiments, and protocols.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to implement and communicate lab safety practices to students and faculty.
• Knowledge of general chemistry
• Knowledge of environmental health, safety protocols and safety requirements
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong analytical and interpersonal problem-solving skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, and the ability to multi-task
• Ability to take direction and also use independent judgement
• Ability to work quickly and accurately
• Ability to maintain composure and effectively carry out last-minute requests
• Ability to establish, interpret and enforce complex rules, policies, guidelines and procedures
• Ability to effectively train individuals with a wide variety of skillsets
• Strong group work and collaboration skills
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of basic chemical storage and safety guidelines
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, and the ability to quickly establish rapport
• Knowledge of hazardous waste management practices and protocols

Conditions of Employment

• Colorado law requires that candidates for state government jobs be residents of Colorado at the time of application.
• This position requires an onsite presence on campus 5 days a week.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements

• Physical demands include: Climbing, crouching, feeling/touch/handling, field of vision, kneeling, reaching, stooping, talking, tasting /smelling.
• Mental functions include: Analyzing, communicating, comparing, compiling, computing, coordinating, instructing, interpersonalskills.
• Environmental conditions include: Potential exposure to chemical and general lab hazards, noise, potential exposure to electrical shock, potential exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, Working with explosives.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADACoordinator at [e-mail].

Employment Sponsorship

Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits (Required by Rule)

The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $52,032 - $58,974.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training. The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is non-exempt and is eligible for overtime compensation. Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Closing Date (Required by Rule)

This application closes on August 24th, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Background Check Policy

The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.

Appeal Rights (Required by Rule)

Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board (SPB) Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The SPB Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures and a standard appeal form are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203, or fax it to 303-866-5038 and provide a copy to the Respondent. The 10-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.