Laboratory Helper - Illinois State Water Survey, PRI, UIUC - 1024104-6689

at University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Supply Cleaning and Sample Preparation - 50% Wash supplies for various projects utilizing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including acid-washing and baking glassware at 450°C Pack and ship supplies to field sites. Follow SOPs for supply cleaning, assist in developing/revising supply cleaning SOPs, and ensure Quality Assurance compliance of all supply checks. Assist with sample preparation including filtration and digestion. Utilize laboratory information management system (LIMS) to log-in samples for analysis, print bottle labels, and split samples into appropriate containers.
• Laboratory safety - 5% Utilize clean supply handling procedures as specified in the lab Quality Assurance Plan and project-specific SOPs per project requirement. Maintain safe laboratory practices and stay current with all Division of Research Safety training requirements.
• Laboratory maintenance - 15% Maintenance and inventory of project equipment and supplies. Notify manager if supplies are low or need replacement. Daily/weekly monitoring and recording of laboratory equipment. Report any readings outside specified parameters to supervisor. Assist with maintenance of the laboratory reverse osmosis and deionized water systems. Retrieve supplies from the mailroom and organize them in the laboratory. Maintain organized inventory of laboratory supplies.
• Administrative - 5% Participate in staff planning sessions. Assist in the training of hourly laboratory/student workers. Review SOPs to ensure they adequately describe current activities, bringing any changes to the attention of the supervisor
• Other - 5% Follow all University, PRI, and Survey regulations, procedures, and policies. Perform other duties as needed in order to further the mission and goals of the Survey, PRI, and the University of Illinois

• proficiency in the use of e-mail, and the ability to use computer software for data entry to maintain complex records for data integrity. Ability to maintain a positive work atmosphere that encourages cooperation and coordination among the staff. Detail-oriented with strict requirements for data integrity. Effective personal relations, collaboration, organizational, time management, teamwork, writing and leadership skills. Good communication skills with the ability to understand and follow oral or written directions of a complex technical nature. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Ability to adapt to changing priorities within strict QA requirements. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Proficiency in commonly-employed software and databases.