Pilot-Scale Lab Ops & Safety Specialist

University of Central Florida; Florida; On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Central Florida invites applications for a Research Operations Specialist supporting research and development activities focused on low-carbon methanol production from fugitive methane resources. Based at M2X Energy Inc.

(Rockledge, Florida), the role oversees laboratory operations and experimental infrastructure enabling pilot-scale gas-to-methanol technologies. You will work with researchers, engineers, and industry partners to ensure safe, efficient, and well-documented

Qualifications

• High school diploma with 3+ years in chemical laboratory/engineering environments.
• Experience supporting or coordinating laboratory operations in chemical/engineering settings.
• Knowledge of chemical safety practices, hazardous waste management, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA).
• Experience with compressed gas cylinder systems and laboratory gas handling infrastructure.
• Familiarity with laboratory inventory systems and procurement processes.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings (PFDs, P&IDs) and lab/shop integration workflows is a plus.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills (SOPs, lab logs, inventory tracking).
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment with researchers, engineers, and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Manage chemical inventory and ensure safety compliance for handling, storage, labeling, and documentation of materials.
• Assist with hazardous waste management, including compliant storage and coordination with licensed disposal vendors.
• Manage compressed gas cylinder logistics, including receiving, storage, labeling, regulator checks, and supplier coordination.
• Support fabrication, assembly, modification, and maintenance of experimental systems in a chemical engineering shop environment.
• Maintain accurate documentation systems, including SOPs, inventory records, and safety documentation.
• Support onboarding and training of research staff and interns in laboratory safety and equipment use.
• Coordinate with engineers and researchers to ensure laboratory readiness for campaigns and data collection.
• Maintain a strong culture of safety, compliance, organization, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Laboratory operations

Chemical safety

Hazardous waste management

Compressed gas handling

Documentation

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Job description

The University of Central Florida invites applications for a Research Operations Specialist supporting research and development activities focused on low-carbon methanol production from fugitive methane resources. This position will be based at M2X Energy Inc. (Rockledge, Florida), where the Research Operations Specialist will oversee laboratory operations, chemical safety systems, and experimental infrastructure supporting pilot-scale gas-to-methanol technologies.

The Research Operations Specialist will work closely with researchers, engineers, and industry partners to ensure safe, efficient, and well-documented laboratory and shop operations that enable process development and field-deployable system testing.

Responsibilities

This position supports laboratory operations, chemical safety systems, and experimental infrastructure in a combined laboratory and shop environment, including but not limited to:

• Manage chemical inventory and ensure compliance with safety standards for handling, storage, labeling, and documentation of all materials.
• Assist with hazardous waste management, including compliant storage and coordination with licensed disposal vendors.
• Manage compressed gas cylinder logistics, including receiving, storage, securing, labeling, regulator compatibility checks, and coordination of cylinder exchanges and supplier communications.
• Support fabrication, assembly, modification, and maintenance of experimental systems in a chemical engineering shop environment, including piping, fittings, pumps, and pilot-scale setups.
• Maintain accurate documentation systems, including SOPs, inventory records, and safety documentation.
• Support onboarding and training of UCF research staff and interns in laboratory safety, chemical handling, equipment use, and shop practices.
• Coordinate with engineers and researchers to ensure laboratory readiness for experimental campaigns and data collection activities.
• Maintain a strong culture of safety, compliance, organization, and continuous improvement across laboratory and shop operations.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma and at least three years of experience in chemical laboratory and engineering environments or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting or coordinating laboratory operations in chemical, process, or engineering environments.
• Strong knowledge of chemical safety practices, hazardous waste management, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA standards).
• Experience with compressed gas cylinder systems and laboratory gas handling infrastructure.
• Familiarity with laboratory inventory systems and procurement processes.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings (PFDs, P&IDs) and lab/shop integration workflows is a plus.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills (SOPs, lab logs, inventory tracking systems).
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment involving researchers, engineers, and external partners.
• Strong communication skills and ability to coordinate multiple technical workflows simultaneously.

Special Instructions To The Applicants

All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H‑1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

The anticipated hourly range for this position is $22 - $26. The final rate will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Are Benefits Important to You?

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state’s benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First. OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements Related To Research Positions

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Office of Research - Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) - OPS

Hours of Work

Full time

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Type of Appointment

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Job Posting End Date

06-01-2026-12-00-AM

Benefits Eligibility

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state’s benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First. OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email [e-mail].

For general application or posting questions, please email [e-mail].