Human Resources

Job Description Summary

The Laboratory Instrument Coordinator will be responsible for maintaining scientific instruments and equipment for the teaching and research laboratories in the Department of Chemistry. The coordinator will work closely with faculty and lab supervisors in physical, analytical, biochemistry, and other courses. The coordinator will train graduate and undergraduate students to use the equipment, perform routine maintenance, work with vendors and service representatives, as needed. Some contributions to the teaching mission are expected including training teaching assistants, assisting with design of new laboratory modules, preparing demonstrations, and teaching troubleshooting skills.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)

1. Promote and model a safe working environment.
2. Develop policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for safe operation of laboratory equipment.
3. Perform routine maintenance and repairs on instruments in teaching and research labs.
4. Interface with service representatives to facilitate updates, repairs, and purchases of instruments.
5. Train students and teaching assistants in safe and responsible operation of laboratory equipment.
6. Assist faculty in developing and updating modules for teaching laboratories.
7. Assist faculty and researchers with in developing experimental procedures with department instruments.
8. Develop and oversee a program to hire undergraduate instrument specialists (modeled on an existing campus program).
9. Manage scheduling calendars for equipment.
10. Manage computers that support instruments, including equipment interfaces and software.
11. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
12. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures (minimum requirements)

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related subject and 3 years of relevant experience; Or Master’s degree in chemistry or related subject

Required Experience (minimum requirements)

• Hands-on experience operating chemistry equipment.
• Experience in safely working in a laboratory environment.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• MS in chemistry or related subject.
• 5 years of laboratory experience.
• Experience in diagnosing and repairing electronic equipment.
• Experience in managing computer-instrument interfaces.
• Experience in informal or formal STEM teaching.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements)

• Experience operating and maintaining instruments such as liquid or gas chromatographs; mass spectrometers; NMR; atomic or molecular spectrometers; or other advanced chemistry equipment.
• Ability to safely handle chemicals.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Experience in developing novel protocols and procedures to assist research projects.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. Visa sponsorship is unavailable at this time. This is not an E-Verified Position.

100%

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Pay Rate/Salary

Negotiable, No less than $40,000

Title of Position Supervisor

Department Chair

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Additional Information

https://www.mtu.edu/chemistry/