Research Operations Specialist (TEMP)

The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees; United States; On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Central Florida invites applications for a Research Operations Specialist based in Rockledge, Florida, to oversee lab operations supporting pilot-scale gas-to-methanol technologies. You will work with researchers and engineers to ensure safe, efficient, and well-documented operations.

Responsibilities include inventory control, hazardous waste management, procurement, equipment support, and safety documentation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and 3+ years of chemical lab/engineering experience.
• Experience with chemical inventory, hazardous waste, and compressed gas cylinders.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and hands-on experience with lab equipment.
• Experience maintaining lab documentation (SOPs, logs, inventory).

Responsibilities

• Manage chemical inventory and ensure safety compliance.
• Assist with hazardous waste management and disposal coordination.
• Order, receive, organize, and restock lab supplies and consumables.
• Manage compressed gas cylinder logistics and supplier communications.
• Support fabrication, assembly, and maintenance of experimental systems.
• Maintain documentation systems including SOPs and logs.
• Assist onboarding and training of staff and interns in lab safety and equipment use.
• Foster safety, compliance, organization, and continuous improvement in lab/shop operations.

Skills

Laboratory safety

Chemical inventory management

Hazardous waste management

Material procurement

Safety documentation

Interpersonal communication

Coordination with researchers

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma

Education/experience equivalence

Tools

PFDs/P&IDs

Job description

The Opportunity:

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:

• 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.
• Order, receive, organize, and restock laboratory supplies, equipment, and consumable materials.
• 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.
• 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 oran equivalent combination of education and experiencepursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6) .

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of experience in laboratory, manufacturing, quality, research, or technical operations.
• Experience with chemical inventory, hazardous waste, laboratory procurement, and compressed gas cylinders.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and hands‑on experience with laboratory or process equipment, including piping, fittings, pumps, or similar systems.
• Experience maintaining laboratory documentation, including SOPs, lab logs, and inventory records; familiarity with engineering drawings (PFDs or P&IDs) is a plus.
• Strong organizational, communication, and coordination skills with the ability to work effectively with researchers, engineers, students, and external partners.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

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.

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.

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

Part time

Work Schedule

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Type of Appointment

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Hourly Rate

$22.00 to Negotiable

Job Posting End Date

10-12-2026-12-00-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.

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.

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

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.