Teaching Laboratory Spec I

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Florida in Gainesville seeks a Teaching Laboratory Specialist I to prepare undergraduate chemistry labs, assist instructors, and maintain equipment and safety standards.

You will coordinate lab prep, support instructional activities across multiple sections, and ensure materials, waste handling, and safety compliance are met. The role requires a high school diploma with four years' related experience, with a preferred bachelor's in chemistry or related field.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with four years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related field preferred.
• Experience supporting chemistry labs in education settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and ready undergraduate chemistry teaching labs daily.
• Assist instructors and TAs with lab exercises and demonstrations.
• Set up equipment, materials, and safety procedures for labs.
• Maintain inventory, cleanup, and restock lab spaces between sections.
• Provide procedural guidance and troubleshoot during sessions.
• Ensure safety compliance and proper waste handling.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related field

Job description

Teaching Laboratory Spec I

Job No: 540972

Work Type: Full Time

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

Categories: Biology/Life Science, Education/Training/Instructional Design, Facilities Operations/Skilled Trades, Veteran's Preference Eligible

Department: 16120100 - LS-CHEMISTRY-GENERAL

Job Description

Classification Title: Teaching Laboratory Specialist I

Classification Minimum Requirements: A high school diploma and four years of appropriate experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Laboratory Preparation

Coordinates the preparation and daily readiness of assigned undergraduate chemistry teaching laboratories.

• Prepares chemical solutions and refills empty bottles/jars as required for scheduled laboratory experiments.
• Cleans, resets, and restocks laboratory spaces between course sections.
• Sets up the laboratory according to established course procedures, instructional schedules, and enrollment needs.
• Labels, stores, and organizes chemicals and laboratory materials in accordance with established safety and departmental procedures.
• Conducts trial runs of experiments and verifies that procedures, materials, and equipment function as intended before laboratory sections begin.
• Maintains preparation areas, stockrooms, and shared instructional spaces in an organized and operational condition.
• Coordinates laboratory preparation priorities with faculty instructors and other teaching laboratory staff.

Instructional Support

Provides technical and instructional support for undergraduate chemistry laboratory courses.

• Assists faculty instructors and teaching assistants with the delivery of laboratory exercises and demonstrations.
• Demonstrates the proper use of laboratory equipment, instruments, software, and standard laboratory techniques.
• Provides students and teaching assistants with procedural guidance regarding laboratory equipment and established experimental methods.
• Responds to routine technical questions and assists with troubleshooting during laboratory sessions.
• Monitors laboratory activities and communicates safety or operational concerns to the appropriate instructor or laboratory supervisor.
• Assists faculty with the development, testing, revision, and implementation of laboratory experiments and instructional materials.
• Helps ensure that laboratory exercises are delivered consistently across multiple sections of the same course.

Equipment Support

Maintains instructional laboratory equipment and coordinates routine equipment support.

• Inspects, cleans, tests, and performs minor maintenance and repairs on teaching laboratory equipment.
• Troubleshoots routine problems involving laboratory instruments, computers, data-collection equipment, and related software.
• Monitors the condition and availability of laboratory equipment and recommends repair, replacement, or purchase when appropriate.
• Assists with the installation and preparation of new instructional laboratory equipment.

Materials and Safety

Supports the safe handling, storage, inventory, and use of chemicals and laboratory materials.

• Maintains inventories of chemicals, laboratory supplies, glassware, personal protective equipment, and other instructional materials.
• Identifies supply needs and recommends purchases within established departmental procedures and approved budgets.
• Receives, verifies, labels, stores, and distributes laboratory materials and supplies.
• Maintains access to safety data sheets, equipment instructions, laboratory procedures, and other required reference materials.
• Supports compliance with applicable university, departmental, and environmental health and safety requirements.
• Assists with chemical waste collection, labeling, storage, and disposal coordination in accordance with established procedures.
• Inspects instructional laboratories for operational or safety concerns and reports conditions requiring corrective action.
• Confirms the availability and condition of personal protective equipment and emergency safety equipment.

Department Support

• Participates in departmental meetings, training, and laboratory planning activities.
• Assists with the orientation and training of teaching assistants, student employees, and other laboratory personnel regarding equipment, preparation procedures, and laboratory safety.
• Maintains required records and assists with periodic inventory, safety, or operational reviews.
• Supports special laboratory projects and departmental instructional activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Expected Salary: $20.00 - $22.00/hr

Required Qualifications: A high school diploma and four years of appropriate experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical education, or a closely related scientific field.
• Experience supporting chemistry teaching laboratories in a college or university setting.
• Experience preparing chemical solutions, reagents, samples, and laboratory materials for instructional use.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, chemical handling, labeling, storage, waste management, and personal protective equipment requirements.
• Experience operating, maintaining, calibrating, or troubleshooting common chemistry laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Experience maintaining chemical, equipment, and laboratory supply inventories.
• Ability to organize work across multiple laboratory courses, sections, and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to follow written experimental procedures and safety protocols.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, instructors, teaching assistants, students, and laboratory staff.
• Proficiency with standard computer applications and electronic recordkeeping systems.

Health Assessment Required: No.

Applications Close: 30 August 2026

Our Commitment

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392- 2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.

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