Laboratory Technician 1

The laboratory technician serves as part of the staff team in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry dedicated to supporting the teaching and research activities in the department. The general purpose of this position is to provide support for the experimental activities undertaken by the department in its teaching and research laboratories in the Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology. Support includes 1) the primary task of preparation of laboratory courses including Organic Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, select special topics laboratories, and support other courses as departmental needs require. The laboratory technician is responsible for the preparation of chemistry laboratory experiments, management of the assigned labs and preparatory spaces, supervision and training of student workers in the employees area of responsibility; 2) managing the chemical inventory in the assigned workspace; 3) managing departmental use of compressed gases and cryogens including dry ice; 4) coordinating, collecting and disposing of organic course and select research laboratory hazardous waste.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• PREPARATION AND UPKEEP OF LABORATORIES
  • Prepare and set out chemicals, glassware, and equipment for laboratory experiments in organic chemistry laboratory and environmental chemistry laboratory.
  • When needed support may include other classes as determined by the Chair and departmental needs.
  • Details of duties include (but are not limited to):
    • In conjunction with Director of Organic Chemistry, teaching faculty and other support staff, decide what supplies and chemicals are needed for each experiment in the specified courses and how those items can be most economically purchased and efficiently distributed to the students (minimizing cost and waste).
    • Work with Director of Organic Chemistry to determine how future experiment preparations can be improved and work to incorporate improvements.
    • Participate in lab meetings with Director of Organic Chemistry and faculty; meet as needed with appropriate teaching faculty in supported course(s).
    • Prepare solutions and reagents for assigned teaching laboratories.
    • Maintain solvent purification system and ensure replacement solvents are available.
    • Assemble and set out common-use glassware and equipment, as well as coordinate with the instrument specialist when needed.
    • Write or update “prep sheets” that summarize the materials needed for each experiment.
    • Restock lockers and common use areas.
    • Prepare forms and quizzes for student lab safety orientations.
    • Conduct safety training for chemistry teaching assistants and maintains record of training.
    • Train and supervise assigned work-study students to help prepare and set up experiments.
    • Replenish chemicals and supplies in the laboratories associated with the specified courses and associated research laboratories as needed.
    • This person will also be responsible for scheduling and support of all visiting groups in these spaces.
    • Maintain an orderly, safe work place.
• ASSIST FACULTY
  • Prepare lecture demonstrations and materials for faculty upon request.
  • Ability to trouble-shoot experimental procedures and difficulties and optimize schedule to be of assistance to faculty during the operation of laboratories.
• OTHER
  • Manager of Cryogens and Gasses:
    • Receive and transport all cryogens, compressed gases and dry ice in the department. Coordinate and collaborate to perform cryogen fills on department NMR spectrometers: liquid nitrogen and liquid helium as needed.
    • Move gas cylinders to and from teaching and select research labs and instrument rooms when they need to be changed.
    • Coordinate with purchase coordinator the delivery and distribution of teaching and research related materials in the assigned laboratory spaces and the solvent shed.
    • Safety: Manage all hazardous waste generated in specified teaching and research laboratories (organic chemistry related laboratories as assigned by the Chair) and work with other technical staff to arrange for disposal of unwanted chemicals.
    • Maintain the MSDS library for all chemicals used in rooms relevant to these classes. Serve as the 4th floor East wing Safety Officer for SCST.
    • Attend all Safety Committee Meetings in SCST.
    • Participate in all departmental staff/team meetings and as needed departmental faculty meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry and one year of full-time laboratory experience (or equivalent) in Chemistry, or a closely related research discipline. Experience may include work in an independent research lab that was performed during undergraduate studies, or work in a laboratory after graduation. Laboratory classes do not count toward experience.
• Effective and demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills in person, on the telephone or via electronic mail are essential.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Post-graduate thesis-based degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in Chemistry or Biochemistry.
  Laboratory preparation experience.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of how to prepare solutions and dilutions, how to standardize a solution, how to perform titration and spectroscopy experiments.
• Working knowledge of safety and hazardous waste regulations as they apply to the specified laboratory courses and the department in general.
• Thorough knowledge of laboratory techniques, operation and basic maintenance procedures for all equipment commonly used in the specified chemistry laboratory courses.
• Demonstrates excellent problem-solving skills and the ability/initiative to trouble-shoot experiments, experimental procedures and problems with reagents.
• Demonstrates ability and experience in setting and organizing daily goals, and establishing and reorganizing job priorities to prioritize workload effectively, meet deadlines and respond to changing demands.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to assume responsibility, deal effectively with problems, and exercise independent judgment when making decisions.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and effectively in written and oral form and request clarification when needed.
• Ability to train and supervise student workers.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, staff, and students.
• Ability to focus and the confidence to work under pressure in a frequently fast paced and noisy environment.
• Ability and willingness to assist with maintenance of common chemistry equipment.

Tools & Equipment Used:

Chemicals, hazardous materials, cryogens and compressed gases. Glassware, chemical instrumentation. Mac/PC, photocopier, telephone, scanner, calculator.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Commensurate with experience; Excellent Benefits.

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package, to include medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University (with three year vesting period), and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.

Resume and Cover Letter Required

Click Apply Now to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at 619-260-6806, or email us at jobs@sandiego.edu