Laboratory Operations Specialist

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN seeks a Laboratory Operations Specialist (P2/P3) to support the Research Instrumentation Center. The role includes operating and maintaining sophisticated instrumentation, training researchers, and ensuring safe, efficient lab operations.

At P2 you will assist with oversight of lab users and instrumentation under supervision; at P3 you will lead with independence, develop training materials, and establish procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required.
• 2+ years of experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing scientific equipment.
• Experience training or mentoring researchers in using lab instrumentation.
• Ability to prepare samples and perform instrumental analysis including quantification.
• Preferred: advanced degree and experience in an academic core facility.

Responsibilities

• Support daily laboratory operations and guide RIC users.
• Train researchers on instrument operation and data acquisition.
• Perform maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and repair of instrumentation.
• Provide sample analysis services (mass spectrometry, TGA, CHN).
• Manage instrument scheduling and access systems.
• Develop policies, procedures, and training resources for RIC operations.
• Collaborate with management and faculty on lab initiatives and improvements.
• Participate in outreach through presentations and talks.

Skills

Laboratory operations

Instrumentation maintenance

Training & mentoring

Data acquisition & analysis

Analytical method development

Safety compliance

Technical writing

Project coordination

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (MS/PhD)

Tools

ICP-MS

TGA

CHN analysis instrumentation

Optical spectroscopy

AFM

EPR spectroscopy

iLab software

Job description

Job Title: Laboratory Operations Specialist

City: West Lafayette

Job Description:

Job Summary

Laboratory Operations Specialist, P2/P3 College of Science | Research Instrumentation Center

Turn your technical expertise into meaningful support for scientific discovery. The College of Science is seeking a Laboratory Operations Specialist to join the Research Instrumentation Center (RIC), supporting sophisticated instrumentation and helping faculty, students, and staff conduct high-quality research. In this role, you will support the day-to-day operation of laboratory spaces and instrumentation, train researchers on proper instrument use and data acquisition, and help maintain a safe, efficient, and collaborative laboratory environment.

What You’ll Do

• Support or oversee daily laboratory operations and provide guidance to RIC users.
• Train faculty, students, and staff on instrument operation, data acquisition, and basic analysis.
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration, tuning, troubleshooting, and repair of instrumentation.
• Provide sample analysis services, including mass spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, and/or CHN analysis.
• Manage instrument scheduling and laboratory access systems.
• Partner with customers to understand needs, establish expectations, and provide effective service.
• Help develop and implement policies, procedures, training resources, and standards that strengthen RIC operations.
• Collaborate with management and faculty on laboratory initiatives and continuous improvements.
• Participate in outreach through presentations, posters, talks, and other educational activities.

P2 Laboratory Operations Specialist

At the P2 level, you will work under general supervision while building expertise in RIC instrumentation and operations. You will assist with oversight of laboratory users, instrumentation, training, maintenance, troubleshooting, and the development of new processes and procedures.

P3 Laboratory Operations Specialist

At the P3 level, you will work with greater independence, overseeing assigned laboratory operations and serving as a subject matter expert for at least one type of instrumentation. You will take a larger role in developing training materials, establishing policies and procedures, troubleshooting instrumentation, and identifying opportunities to increase the RIC’s effectiveness and impact.

Dual-Level Opportunity

This position may be filled at the P2 or P3 level commensurate with the education and experience of the chosen candidate. The selected level will be determined by the hiring manager based on the successful candidate’s education and experience. Join the College of Science and bring your technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and collaborative approach to an environment supporting research across the University.

What We're Looking For

Education and Experience Required:

As the P2 Laboratory Operations Specialist you will need the following:

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of Two (2) years of experience
  
  • operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing scientific equipment and instrumentation
  • training or mentoring less experienced researchers in using scientific equipment and instrumentation
  • preparing samples and performing instrumental analysis including quantification

Preferred:

• Advanced degree
• Experience in an academic core facility environment
  • Experience in performing trace level elemental quantification using ICP-MS
  • Experience with optical spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and/or electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy
  • Experience with iLab online equipment reservation/billing software

As the P3 Laboratory Operations Specialist you will need the above and following:

• Master's degree
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience is required.
  
  • Experience in operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing scientific equipment and instrumentation
  • Experience in training or mentoring less experienced researchers in using scientific equipment and instrumentation
  • Experience in preparing samples and performing instrumental analysis including quantification
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered

Required Skills

Skills Required:

For both levels you will need the following:

• Instrument Maintenance & Repair : Practical skills in troubleshooting and electromechanical repair, vacuum system maintenance, optical alignment, temperature and flow control, and routine tuning/calibration to fix complex multi-component instrument failures independently
• Wet Chemistry & Sample Preparation: Expertise in chemical handling, micro-pipetting, weighing, acid digestion procedures, standard/reference solution preparation
• Analytical Method Development: Ability to apply analytical parameters to adapt standard protocols for non-routine or complex sample types
• Advanced Data Processing & Software Proficiency: Proficiency in specialized vendor software for data analysis and presentation
• EHS & Chemical Safety Compliance: Thorough operational knowledge of OSHA/university safety protocols, Chemical Hygiene Plans (CHP), SDS interpretation, proper storage of incompatible chemicals, and regulated hazardous/toxic waste segregation
• Asset & Logistics Management: Skills in inventory control, spare parts procurement, vendor contract negotiation, and preventative maintenance scheduling to minimize instrument downtime
• Pedagogy & Technical Instruction: The capability to break down complex physical and chemical principles into structured, accessible instruction for users with varying skill levels
• Experimental Design & Troubleshooting (Scientific Method): Ability to follow established protocols to evaluate research hypotheses, diagnose common analytical anomalies, identify sample contamination, and suggest alternative experimental approaches
• Technical Writing & Scientific Communication: Ability to assist in drafting clear, concise Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), contribute grant text (such as NSF/NIH instrumentation proposals), and contribute to methodological sections for peer-reviewed journal publications
• Consultative Communication & Project Management: Interpersonal skills to manage user expectations, scope project timelines, communicate analytical limitations clearly to non-expert clients, and handle core facility user dynamics

Additional Information

• Purdue University will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period
• Benefit Statement: Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days - Summary of Benefits for Professional levels 1-3, Management levels 1-2 - Human Resources - Purdue University .

Career Stream

Professional 2

• Pay Band S065
• Job Code #20003177

Professional 3

• Pay Band S070
• Job Code #20003178

Career path maker: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/careerpathmaker/

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