Biology Lab Manager

DePauw University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: Women, members of underrepresented groups, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

All employees of DePauw University must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or request a religious, medical, or philosophical exemption.

Position will remain open until filled.

Please go to University Profile for more information about DePauw.

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary responsibility of this position is the technical support of teaching laboratories, maintenance of equipment, training of staff members in the Biology Department for the purpose of a smooth operation of lab activities in an inclusive work environment. Day-to-day activities include the preparation, set up and break down of teaching laboratories and maintenance of equipment used in cellular and molecular biology and microbiology courses. This is a managerial position that also requires the ability to appropriately plan, coordinate and direct the work of student workers, IT, facilities personnel, and outside service personnel. The Biology Lab Manager must be a team-player who can coordinate the operation of teaching laboratories with Biology faculty, staff and students and contributes to an inclusive work environment. Self-motivation, versatility, creativity and demonstrated experience of planning and accomplishing goals are essential. The person should have demonstrated skills in and understanding of standard laboratory methods in molecular and cellular biology and microbiology and related day-to-day activities including managing equipment, ordering supplies, working with pathogens and disposal of hazardous waste is expected. The Biology Lab Manager will work closely with Biology faculty and staff to develop and optimize engaging lab activities in an inclusive learning environment for students.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement(s)

• Sets up and breaks down of introductory cellular and molecular biology teaching labs
• Maintains bacterial cultures and inventory for Microbiology courses
• Maintains cell cultures for cellular and molecular biology courses
• Maintains and manages inventory supplies (includes ordering and storage)
• Maintains equipment in teaching labs
• Assists faculty on implementing new techniques for teaching labs
• Assists faculty on regular review and reorganization of lab spaces
• Carries out and organizes calibration and repairs of equipment in Biology
• Responsible for proper storage and recording of chemicals, biological samples and artefacts
• Disposing and recording of chemical, biological and hazardous waste
• Maintains and yearly updates detailed electronic records of equipment and supplies (inventory)
• Manages and supervises work-study students and acts as a resource for research students
• Implements and facilitates safety policy, and organizes safety training sessions
• Coordinates and cross-trains with other staff members and fills in when needed
• Serves as department liaison for coordinating activities with other departments, IT, and Facilities Management
• Assists with forecasting long-term needs of the department
• Assists with planning and organizing department events
• Contributes to an inclusive working, learning and living environment

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Adaptability -- Ability to adapt to change in the workplace.
• Applied Learning -- Ability for an individual to take part in needed learning activities in a way that makes the most of the learning experience.
• Supervisory Ability -- Ability to effectively direct, encourage and support others. Is able to prioritize and organize work to ensure assignments are completed and objectives are met in a timely manner.
• Contribution to the University's Mission and Vision - Ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the expressed mission of the University, including, but not limited to, providing an environment that is conducive to learning, sharing individual talents to prepare leaders, etc.
• Modeling Shared University Values -- Ability to model the University's shared values of being student focused and supporting a diverse and inclusive environment. Including, but not limited to participating in programming opportunities, workshops/seminars as well as demonstrating curiosity and collaboration about the University values. ( CORE VALUES : Student Focus, Collaboration, Curiosity, Diversity and Inclusion ; RELATIONAL VALUES : Commitment to Excellence, Trust, Integrity, and Respect)
• Adherence to Policy -- Ability to follow and observe University and Departmental policies, such as, but not limited to: Attendance, Confidentiality, Ethical Conduct and Safety. Ability to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws including, but not limed to, Title IX regulations, Clery, etc.
• Effectiveness/Quality of Work -- Ability to demonstrate qualities, such as, but not limited to, creativity, flexibility, productivity, organizational and multi-tasking skills. Ability to achieve results, such as, but not limited to producing work that is accurate, thorough and complete.
• Job Knowledge -- possesses the practical/technical knowledge required on the job.
• Professional Relationships -- Ability and appropriate attitude to cooperate, communicate, and work with internal and external constituents.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Customer Oriented - A desire to serve both external and internal clients by focusing effort on meeting the clients' needs, understanding their concerns, and seeking to build trust.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Diversity Oriented - Commitment to valuing a variety of different experiences, encouraging input and collaboration from campus stakeholders, including being mindful of experiences related, but not limited to: age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, LGBTQ, and/or job type.
• Safety Awareness -- Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety and uphold safety standards.
• Technical Aptitude-Ability to comprehend complex technical topics specialized information.

Education: Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university required.

Experience: Five years or more of relevant experience

Communication/Language: Intermediate: Ability to read and interpret documents. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Math Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Computer Skills: Basic knowledge in MS Word, Excel and Google Work apps

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations: None

Other Requirements:

• Versatility, proactive leadership and self-directed management
• Specific lab skills in microbiology and molecular and cellular biology, and previous experience

with managing equipment and supplies and organizing labs