Laboratory Coordinator, UA San Xavier Mine

Arizona International; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 47,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Arizona is seeking a Laboratory Coordinator to support operations at the UA San Xavier Mine. This role ensures a safe, efficient, and well‑equipped laboratory and mine environment while assisting faculty, students, researchers, and industry partners.

The Laboratory Coordinator will perform routine and preventative maintenance, support tours and outreach events, manage inventory, and assist with implementation of research projects and teaching laboratories.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through experience required.
• 1 year of relevant work experience required.
• Must have a valid driver's License with Clean Driving Record and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

Responsibilities

• Performs general maintenance for underground and surface areas to ensure safe, functional operation.
• Maintains infrastructure, ventilation, hoses, sensors, cables, and basic equipment repairs.
• Assists with tours, events, training activities, and industry visits at the facility.
• Tracks preventative maintenance items and supports inventory, deliveries, and waste management.
• Assists with experiments, projects, and teaching laboratory setup and operation.

Skills

Safety awareness

Flexible/adaptable

Independent work

Time management

Weekend availability

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Laboratory Coordinator, UA San Xavier Mine

Posting Number: req27208

Department: Sch Mining Engr Mineral Res

Department Website Link: https://mining.arizona.edu/

Location: County Extensions and Farms

Address: Tucson, AZ USA

Join the University of Arizona's Mining Innovation Community! The University of Arizona's School of Mining and Mineral Resources is seeking a Laboratory Coordinator to support operations at the UA San Xavier Mine. This is a unique opportunity to work in a hands‑on environment at the intersection of mining education, research, and industry. The Laboratory Coordinator will play an essential role in maintaining a safe, efficient, and well‑equipped laboratory and mine environment while supporting faculty, students, researchers, and industry partners.

If you enjoy working with people, solving problems, coordinating complex activities, and contributing to innovative education and research, we invite you to bring your skills to this exciting role. Be part of a team shaping the future of mining through hands‑on learning, cutting‑edge research, and strong connections with industry. The San Xavier Laboratory Coordinator will perform routine and preventative maintenance at underground and surface research and teaching facilities, assist with outreach and recruiting events and tours, and assist with implementation of research projects and teaching laboratories.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work‑life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

Laboratory and Facility Operations

• Provides general maintenance for underground and surface areas, including basic equipment maintenance and operation, road maintenance, landscaping, and basic repair to support the safe, functional, and orderly operation of the facility.
• Provides maintenance of infrastructure; may hang or replace hoses, sensors and cables, installation, and repair of ventilation infrastructure to maintain the functionality and operational condition of facility infrastructure and equipment.
• Clears up debris and performs basic housekeeping to maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.

Tours & Events

• Assists with site events, community relation events, training events and other industry visits to support the successful operation and coordination of activities at the facility.
• Duties include, but are not limited to, preparing training room, staging mine, and clean up before/after to ensure spaces and facilities are prepared for events, training activities, and industry visits.
• Accompanies groups on tours, answers basic questions about facility and prepares hands‑on activities to support tours, training activities, and other educational or industry visits.
• Prepares and cleans up personal protective equipment before/after events to support safe participation in tours, training, and other site activities.

Preventative Maintenance & Inventory

• Tracks preventative maintenance items and assists in these activities to support the ongoing functionality, safe operation, and maintenance of equipment and facility resources.
• Identifies and addresses potential safety hazards as part of preventative maintenance and facility operations to help maintain a safe work environment.
• Assists with inventory accountability, audit and tracking of deliveries, and movement of supplies and waste maintaining accurate and reliable inventory records to support data integrity and effective resource management.
• Assists with ordering of all supplies to help maintain adequate supplies and support uninterrupted facility operations.

Research & Teaching Coordination

• Assists with the implementation of experiments, projects, and monitoring at the mine to support faculty and principal investigators with research and teaching activities and the timely implementation of research projects.
• Assists professors with set up and implementation of laboratories to support the preparation and operation of laboratory activities, experiments, and teaching activities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Strong Commitment to safe work practice in the mine environment.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt daily to possible changing duties in a fast pace environment.
• Ability to identify and communicate hazards.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative and prioritize a variety of work tasks and complete effectively.
• Ability to work Saturdays (Work schedule is Tuesday- Saturday with Sunday and Monday off each week; Work hours may occasionally extend beyond 8 hours)
• Ability to travel out of state once a year could be required for a 4-5-day period

Physical Requirements and Environmental Demands:

• Must be able to walk at least a kilometer, climb 150 vertical feet of ladders, lift 50 pounds, work at heights, and perform physical activity that involves upper arms, shoulders, and torso rotation and mobility.
• Must be medically qualified to wear a respirator.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through experience required.
• 1 year of relevant work experience required.
• Must have a valid driver's License with Clean Driving Record and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experienced/Certified Trained equipment Operator preferred.

FLSA: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40

Job FTE: 1.0

Work Calendar: Fiscal

Job Category: Research

Benefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay: $47,356 - $59,195

Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full‑time equivalency (FTE)

Grade: 6

Compensation Guidance: The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity. The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level: PC1

Job Family: Research & Lab

Job Function: Research

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Target Hire Date: 10/12/2026

Contact Information for Candidates:

James Werner

Director, UA San Xavier Mine

[e-mail]

Open Date: 9/30/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Documents Needed to Apply: Resume and Cover Letter

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

The University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures. Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].