at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
DepartmentPSD Chemistry: Administrative Staff
About the Department
The Mass Spectrometry (MS) Facility in the Chemistry Department at the University of Chicago has 4 laboratories located in two research buildings on the campus in Hyde Park, Chicago. The MS Facility supports a high user volume from multiple departments in the Physical Science Division, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, and Biological Science Division. The laboratory supports small and large molecule characterization and quantitation. The MS Facility currently consists of 13 state-of-the-art instruments including a variety of chromatography and mass spectrometry configurations including GC, HPLC, GCMS, LCMS, equipped with EI, ESI, APCI, APPI, MALDI, UV, IR, FID, TCD, single quad, triple quad, ion trap, TOF, Q-TOF, and TOF/TOF.
Job Summary
The Department of Chemistry is seeking a Lab Director for the Mass Spectrometry Facility. The individual will oversee daily operations of the open-access facility and serve as a subject matter expert in support of the department's dynamic research portfolio. The Lab Director is responsible for strategic planning as well as ensuring routine instrument operations including training, maintenance, and repairs. The Director is responsible for maintaining productive interactions with instrument vendors and managing associated service agreements. The Lab Director will establish policies and procedures that ensure a well-trained user base and uninterrupted laboratory operations. Strong technical skills, excellent organizational skills, and familiarity with health and safety requirements, are essential.
Responsibilities
- Manages staff, users, and equipment to ensure efficient and safe operation of the mass spectrometry laboratories.
- Provides expertise to researchers and research support staff. Oversees activities related to data collection and analysis.
- Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. Helps develop, design, and conduct research projects according to plan.
- Manage all technical elements of the laboratory, including instrument maintenance, calibration, tuning and computer systems as well as administrative systems such user logs, instrument logs, system logs, and computer system backups.
- Provides users with training and technical support on routine hardware and software issues/questions in the laboratory operations.
- Establishes and manages Preventive Maintenance (PM) programs in accordance with the vendor manuals, specifications, and facility needs.
- Ensures users are appropriately trained and exercise best laboratory practices e.g., logs keeping, online reservation, housekeeping, proper waste disposals, etc.
- Assures compliance with quality control measures and standards established in the laboratory policies and procedures.
- Performs instrument troubleshooting and addresses service requirements by either direct repair or coordinating vendor support.
- Manages routine laboratory supplies, such as consumables, PPE, reagents, chemicals, gases, and
- consumable parts to ensure appropriate inventory. Establishes/updates the essential database of the supplies.
- Manages laboratory safety protocols to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Manages
- liquid and solid waste and hazard waste pickups, proper storage, and disposal of chemical and hazard waste. Retains regular cleaning to ensure a clean and safe laboratory environment.
- Resolves issues in a timely and professional manner, including but not limited to contacting users, university safety and service centers, building managers, and building engineers, etc.
- Provides expertise to researchers and research support staff. Oversees activities related to data collection and analysis.
- Improves financial, personnel, planning, compliance, and other administrative aspects of research project. Collaborates with other researchers on long-range plans for research projects. Leads, investigates, modifies and applies new procedures, techniques or applications of technology. Establishes goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Ph.D. degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemical biology, or a closely related field or equivalent experience.
Experience:
- Previous experience in managing operations of a mass spec (including both LC and GC) or related laboratory.
- Maintenance and repair experience of any HPLC, GC, IC, GCMS, LCMS, MALDI, and ICPMS is a plus.
- Solid hands-on maintenance and repair experience in scientific instruments and equipment.
- At least 2 years of hands-on experience in a laboratory of analytical chemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, chemical biology, biophysics, or similar.
- Experience in operating and troubleshooting automated analytical instruments.
- Experience of gas chromatography and/or liquid chromatography is a plus.
- Experience with computer hardware and software installation, maintenance, and updates including networking setup.
Technical Skills and Knowledge:
- Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry knowledge.
- Solid hands-on skills with common lab devices and equipment.
- Concrete common knowledge and skills in maintaining computers, networking, and software.
- Good knowledge and skills of General Electric, electronic, and mechanical applications.
- Efficient oral and written communication skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office.
Preferred Competencies
- Self-motivated, well organized, strong problem solving, and with great attention to details.
- Able to follow instructions/procedures/policies in the operations.
- Able to work independently and proactively, establish work priorities and handle several tasks simultaneously for maximum operation efficiency.
- Have ability and willingness to proactively work with users, most graduate students, and postdocs, addressing issues/misconducts in the routine operations.
- Fast and self-learning tasks, techniques, and operations within scope of the duties.
- Excellent computer skills. Handyperson on basic electric, electronic, and mechanical.
Working Conditions:
- Able to work either in a seat or stand in a temperature-controlled and noise lab for a long period of time.
- Able to handle chemical hazards including but not limited to reactive, flammable, explosive, toxic, etc.
- Able to exchange/handle varies and large lab gas cylinders including but not limited to hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, methane, air, argon, etc.
Application Documents:
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
- References (preferred)
When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Research
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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