Laboratory Manager - Chemical Engineering

General Summary of Position:

The essential purpose of the Laboratory Manager position in the Chemical Engineering Department is to support teaching and research activities by maintaining laboratory equipment, ensuring a safe working environment, and facilitating instructional and operational needs across departmental labs.

1. Laboratory Maintenance and Support:

• Manage chemical engineering labs, equipment, and facilities such as testing, training, programming, installing, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting lab equipment for teaching, research, and other academic activities. Maintain equipment in good working condition and repair as needed.
• Set up and test equipment prior to each semester or summer session.
• Develop and execute a preventative maintenance schedule, and perform routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of laboratory instruments.
• Maintain and update inventory as needed in each lab.
• Maintain a safe laboratory environment in accordance with university procedures and policies; Serve as a point of contact for lab safety issues and lab emergencies. Collectively work with the Chemical Engineering department to develop and implement policies, procedures, and standards for safe lab operations according to federal, state, and university policies.
• Coordinate waste disposal and hazardous material handling following EPA, OSHA, and university guidelines.
• Work with faculty, staff, students, and scholars to fulfill the teaching, research, and other academic activities of the department, and support continuous improvement.
• Support accreditation activities (ABET accreditation) including ensuring safety compliance and maintaining up-to-date standard operating procedures on all equipment.
• Serve as a liaison with UMass Lowell’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) regarding safety compliance for Chemical Engineering instructional laboratories and research facilities including coordinating safety inspections, mitigating and minimizing hazards, reporting incidents, and maintaining orderliness and cleanliness.
• Participate in meetings pertaining to instructional and facility related activities, such as Department Faculty meetings and Department Laboratory Committee meetings.

1. Instructional Support:

• Stock and maintain laboratory supplies to deliver lab courses successfully.
• Help conduct tests, run equipment, and demonstrate experiments when needed.
• Work with faculty and students to set up the labs for each session as required.
• Oversee students hired to help with the operation or delivery of course content.
• Provide instructions and/or training to students as needed.
• At the discretion of faculty and the chair, may assist with instruction and supervision of laboratory courses. This responsibility may involve working closely with faculty, teaching assistants, and/or learning assistants assigned to the course.

1. Budgeting, Purchasing, and Acquisition:

• Keep equipment inventory; manage laboratory hardware and software.
• Oversee purchases/procurement (placing purchase orders, invoicing, and payment processing). Contact vendors and suppliers to place orders and/or follow up with procurement on equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Work with faculty and staff to submit and approve university credit card applications and expense approvals and other related activities.

1. Support Student Clubs and Competitions:

• Assist student body with regional and national competitions (AIChE’s “Chem-E- Car”, etc.).
• Ensure students, instructors, and other personnel have completed all the required EHS training needed for the lab or research activity being conducted.

Other Job Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Comply with all safety standards appropriate to this position.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related field, with 5+ years of relevant experience *will consider candidates with Masters degree in chemical engineering or related field with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Comfortable taking initiative, reliable, motivated in one’s work, with a demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
• Knowledge of chemical laboratory procedures, instrumentation, and safety practices
• Understanding of engineering processes related to lab equipment setup, maintenance, and repair
• Well-developed conceptual, analytical, and communications skills
• Ability to create, read, and interpret engineering schematics
• The ability to work effectively with diverse populations including students, staff, and faculty
• Familiarity with data acquisition software (e.g., LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python) and process control systems Familiarity with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Additional Considerations:

• Exceptional candidates with relevant experience and skills beyond the stated criteria may also be considered

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous laboratory experience at the university level
• Experience with ABET-aligned laboratory instruction

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Only Internal Professional (SEIU 888 Professional Union) Bargaining candidates will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

This position is full-time, benefited and in the SEIU professional union in grade P18. Anticipated salary based on qualifications and experience within range. Minimum: $72,170, 25th quartile: $82,093 and midpoint of $92,017.

Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.