Science Lab Technician

Chapman-University; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Chapman University in Irvine, CA is seeking a Science Lab Technician to support undergraduate instructional laboratories across the physical sciences. The role involves preparing chemical solutions, assembling equipment, implementing experiments, and ensuring safe, reliable lab experiences in collaboration with faculty and staff.

Responsibilities include maintaining inventory, coordinating with instructors, training student workers, and ensuring compliance with safety policies.

Qualifications

• Ability to interpret experimental protocols, apply quantitative calculations, identify technical problems, and troubleshoot preparation or equipment issues.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, chemical hazard communication, chemical storage compatibility, and hazardous-material handling and disposal.
• Ability to maintain accurate technical records, inventory documentation, and laboratory procedures.
• Working knowledge of laboratory apparatus, scientific equipment, and routine maintenance practices.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, vendors, and laboratory operations personnel.

Responsibilities

• Interpret experimental protocols and determine equipment, chemicals, reagents, and materials required for experiments.
• Prepare chemical solutions, reagents, and calculations following established procedures.
• Assemble and configure apparatus and materials per specifications.
• Test setups and materials to ensure reliability of lab activities.
• Maintain safety and compliance with university policies and regulations.
• Coordinate inventory, procurement, and vendor communications for supplies.
• Train student employees and supervise their work.

Skills

Interpret protocols

Quantitative calculations

Troubleshooting

Safety practices

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or related STEM

Tools

Spectrometers

HPLC

GC/LC

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

At Chapman University, we believe collaboration thrives through in-person engagement. This position is fully on campus, and employees work alongside colleagues, faculty, students, and staff each day to support our vibrant university community.

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.

Position Information

Position Title

Position Title Science Lab Technician

Position Type

Position Type Regular

Job Number

Job Number SA96524

Full or Part Time

Full or Part Time full-time 40 hours weekly

Fair Labor Standard Act Classification Non-Exempt

Anticipated Pay Range

Anticipated Pay Range $23.00 - $28.00

Pay Range Information

Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.

Position Summary Information

Job Description Summary

The Science Laboratory Technician performs specialized technical work in support of undergraduate instructional laboratories across the physical sciences and related scientific disciplines. This position applies scientific principles, laboratory techniques, quantitative calculations, and technical problem-solving to prepare, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory experiments, instrumentation, and equipment.

Working in collaboration with faculty, course laboratory coordinators, and laboratory operations staff, the technician interprets experimental protocols, determines material and equipment requirements, prepares chemical solutions and reagents, evaluates equipment functionality, and resolves technical issues that affect laboratory readiness and experimental outcomes. The position requires an understanding of scientific methods, laboratory instrumentation, chemical properties, and safe laboratory practices to support consistent, reliable, and safe instructional experiences.

The technician exercises independent judgment in organizing laboratory preparation activities, adapting established procedures to available equipment and materials, identifying technical and safety concerns, and maintaining compliance with university policies and applicable regulations. The position also supports laboratory inventory and procurement, hazardous-material management, documentation, and the training and work direction of student employees.

Responsibilities

Laboratory Preparation and Experimental Implementation

• Interpret experimental protocols and laboratory procedures to determine the equipment, chemicals, reagents, materials, quantities, and preparation methods required for assigned experiments.
• Calculate and prepare chemical solutions, reagents, dilutions, and other laboratory materials using appropriate scientific calculations, measurement techniques, and established procedures.
• Assemble and configure experimental apparatus, laboratory stations, and materials according to established protocols and technical specifications.
• Test experimental setups and prepared materials to identify discrepancies or conditions that could affect the execution or reliability of laboratory activities.
• Apply scientific principles and systematic troubleshooting methods to resolve preparation errors, experimental setup issues, reagent discrepancies, and other technical problems.
• Determine material quantities and prepare appropriate allocations of supplies based on experimental protocols, enrollment figures, and scheduled laboratory activities.
• Develop, maintain, and revise laboratory preparation sheets, material lists, and experiment-specific technical instructions.
• Verify the identity, concentration where applicable, labeling, and readiness of prepared solutions and materials before use.
• Organize and maintain laboratory preparation areas to ensure materials and experimental setups are ready for scheduled instructional activities.

Laboratory Equipment, Instrumentation, Inventory, and Procurement

• Operate, inspect, assemble, and test laboratory equipment, scientific instruments, and apparatus to determine functionality and readiness for use.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance, operational checks, and basic calibration where applicable, following equipment specifications and established procedures.
• Diagnose routine equipment malfunctions and performance issues; determine when specialized repair or technical support is required.
• Coordinate equipment servicing and repairs with vendors, service providers, and appropriate university personnel.
• Maintain equipment records, including inventory, location, condition, maintenance, and service history, as applicable.
• Monitor laboratory supplies and consumables, assess inventory levels, anticipate replenishment needs, and identify shortages that could affect laboratory operations.
• Prepare purchase requests, place orders through university purchasing systems, communicate with vendors, coordinate receipt of materials, and monitor order status.
• Reconcile purchasing card transactions and maintain supporting procurement documentation in accordance with university procedures.
• Evaluate equipment and supply options and recommend practical, cost-conscious solutions to meet laboratory needs.
• Receive, assemble, test, and organize newly acquired equipment and materials; maintain accurate inventory records for items received.

Laboratory Safety, Hazardous Materials, and Regulatory Compliance

• Apply university laboratory safety policies, established procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements to assigned laboratory activities.
• Assess chemical hazards and compatibility to support appropriate chemical storage, segregation, labeling, and handling practices.
• Collect, label, segregate, store and document the disposal of hazardous laboratory waste in accordance with university procedures and applicable requirements.
• Inspect assigned laboratory areas and chemical storage locations for safety deficiencies, improper storage, labeling issues, and other potential hazards.
• Correct safety deficiencies within the scope of the position and promptly report hazards or compliance concerns requiring additional action.
• Maintain required safety and compliance records, including hazardous-waste documentation, chemical-related records, and applicable inspection documentation to prepare for EHS inspections.
• Review and update laboratory safety procedures and related documentation to support consistent practices and compliance with applicable requirements.

Instructional Coordination, Technical Guidance, and Student Employee Oversight

• Coordinate laboratory schedules, preparation timelines, and operational requirements with faculty, instructors, and laboratory operations staff.
• Communicate course-specific logistical needs, equipment limitations, material shortages, and scheduling conflicts to relevant personnel in a timely manner.
• Provide technical guidance to faculty, instructors, and undergraduate students regarding established laboratory methods and appropriate equipment use.
• Demonstrate established equipment operating procedures and laboratory techniques when needed to support instructional activities.
• Train student employees on assigned laboratory tasks, established procedures, and applicable safety expectations.
• Assign and monitor student employee work, provide task-specific guidance, and verify completion of assigned responsibilities.
• Coordinate competing requests and communicate operational priorities to help ensure laboratory activities are supported within established timelines.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or a closely related science or STEM discipline from an accredited institution. Or a combination of coursework and work experience that would prepare someone for this role.
• One year of laboratory experience involving scientific techniques, laboratory equipment, experimental preparation, instrumentation, or laboratory operations.
• Knowledge of scientific principles and laboratory methods relevant to the assigned discipline.
• Experience preparing chemical solutions, reagents, dilutions, or other laboratory materials using appropriate measurements and calculations.
• Working knowledge of laboratory apparatus, scientific equipment, and routine maintenance practices.
• Ability to interpret experimental protocols, apply quantitative calculations, identify technical problems, and troubleshoot preparation or equipment issues.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, chemical hazard communication, chemical storage compatibility, and hazardous-material handling and disposal.
• Ability to maintain accurate technical records, inventory documentation, and laboratory procedures.
• Ability to organize work independently, prioritize multiple requirements, and meet fixed instructional deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, vendors, and laboratory operations personnel.
• Proficiency with standard office applications, spreadsheets, and email, and the ability to learn university purchasing and inventory systems.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting undergraduate instructional laboratories in higher education.
• Experience operating or maintaining scientific instrumentation, such as spectrometers, chromatographic instruments, or other analytical equipment relevant to assigned courses
• Working knowledge of operation, maintenance, and proper storage of visible, UV, IR spectrometers, HPLC , GC, and LC
• Experience with equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, quality control checks, and equipment troubleshooting.
• Experience developing, testing, or documenting laboratory procedures and experimental protocols.
• Experience with chemical inventory management, hazardous-waste procedures, and laboratory safety compliance.
• Experience in training or providing work direction to student employees.
• Familiarity with electronic inventory, procurement, or laboratory management systems.

Special Instructions to Applicants

At Chapman University, we believe collaboration thrives through in-person engagement. This