JOB DUTIES:
- Provide technical assistance to faculty, graduate assistants, and students during laboratory sessions.
- Train student assistants or work-study personnel in laboratory procedures and safety practices.
- Assist students with the proper use of laboratory equipment and techniques.
- Support accessibility and inclusion efforts within laboratory learning environments
- Prepare laboratory materials, reagents, cultures, specimens, and equipment for undergraduate biology courses.
- Set up and dismantle laboratory exercises before and after scheduled sessions.
- Prepare microbiological media, chemical solutions, stains, buffers, and biological samples according to established protocols.
- Coordinate laboratory schedules and ensure all materials are available for instructional activities. - Assist faculty in implementing laboratory exercises and demonstrations.
- Support course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) and inquiry-based laboratory activities when applicable.
- Assist with practical examinations and assessment activities in the laboratory.
- Ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal laboratory safety regulations.
- Implement and maintain OSHA, CDC, EPA, and institutional biosafety procedures.
- Manage proper storage, labeling, and disposal of biological specimens, sharps, chemicals, and hazardous waste.
- Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and laboratory safety documentation.
- Assist in laboratory safety training for students, faculty, and teaching assistants.
- Monitor laboratories for safe practices and report safety concerns promptly.
- Completes mandatory Health and Safety (HSE) safety requirements that include, but are not limited to:
- Completes weekly, monthly, and annual inspections of the Department of Biology teaching laboratory spaces.
- Maintains Department of Biology autoclaves (which includes maintaining and storing records of use and performing monthly biological testing).
- Maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and perform routine servicing of laboratory instruments and equipment.
- Monitor functionality of microscopes, centrifuges, incubators, autoclaves, spectrophotometers, balances, electrophoresis equipment, PCR instruments, and related teaching laboratory equipment.
- Maintain inventory of laboratory supplies, consumables, chemicals, and biological materials.
- Recommend replacement or procurement of laboratory supplies and equipment.
- Coordinate repairs and service requests with vendors and university facilities personnel.
- Maintain laboratory cleanliness, organization, and operational readiness.
- Maintain laboratory records, inventory databases, and preparation logs.
- Assist with budget tracking and purchasing requests for laboratory supplies and equipment.
- Prepare reports related to laboratory operations, safety inspections, and inventory management.
- Participate in departmental meetings and professional development activities as appropriate.