Academic Lab Manager II - Department of Biology

The Department of Biology in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Academic Lab Manager II.

About the Opportunity

The incumbent provides support for the new inquiry lab series that incorporates real-world cutting-edge research into the undergraduate classroom. Duties include assisting the research and teaching faculty with design and development of laboratory activities, maintaining equipment, ordering and keeping inventory of supplies, interacting with faculty, staff and students to assure the smooth and efficient operation of the laboratories, and training and supervising graduate teaching assistants. The incumbent will also have independent oversight and management of BIOL 222L sections.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

Laboratory Management

• Support and participate in the operations of all inquiry labs including, BIOL 119L, BIOL 120L, BIOL 222L, BIOL and 323L. Responsible for maintaining inventory and ordering supplies and assisting faculty, staff and students to assure the smooth and efficient operation of the laboratories. If necessary, pick up and transport supplies to laboratory.
• Train, supervise, and provide support for graduate teaching assistants per semester in lab procedures to teach inquiry labs. Attend and prepare materials for the preparatory sessions and train the graduate teaching assistants on the laboratory activities. Preparatory sessions are scheduled each semester at the discretion of the laboratory supervisor/coordinator. Offer suggestions on specific experiments and instruct novice and returning GTA's.
• Preparing the graduate teaching assistants' teaching schedule and assignments each semester.
• Train and supervise personnel, including graduate teaching assistants and work-study students, in proper handling and storage procedures for chemicals, solutions, supplies and equipment. Oversee graduate teaching assistant and student activity during lab sessions by rotating through the labs.
• Assure that adequate quantities of supplies and solutions are provided. Ensure graduate teaching assistants follow and enforce course policies, and work with laboratory supervisor/coordinator to update and revise polices when the need arises.
• In collaboration with the faculty laboratory coordinator, evaluate each graduate teaching assistant's effectiveness and instructional skills. Report to supervisor/coordinator regarding graduate teaching assistants' abilities to meet course learning goals and objectives. Evaluate the graduate teaching assistant's performance for potential reappointment.
• Prepare solutions and media (liquid and plates), order live organisms, (propagate seeds) to be utilized for experiments and at times to assume the care and maintenance of the same. Maintain stocks and live cultures of bacteria, competent cells and plasmids. Isolate, purify and separate macromolecules and amplify DNA via PCR. Maintain electrophoresis apparatus and gel imaging system. Inoculate overnight cultures and sub-culture microorganisms to achieve an appropriate optical density. There are approximately 12 sections of BIOL 222L.
• Mentor students in the inquiry labs in regard to the organisms they are using when designing their research experiments. Mentor students in the safe use of the chemicals and solutions they are using/making along with the proper method(s) of disposal of such when the experiment is completed.
• Acquire all supplies in a timely manner for them to begin their experiments once they are approved.
• Maintain laboratory course eCampus pages as requested by the instructor or record. Troubleshoot and resolve problems with course pages, including managing grades online, posting documents, setting up links to assignment submission dropbox, assuring proper functioning of quizzes, etc.
• Maintain laboratory computers and ensure they are appropriately updated and functional for computational labs. Troubleshoot computer issues and work with campus and departmental IT to solve problems.
• Solve problems associated with specific experiments. Help revise instructional materials.
• Conduct literature reviews to identify, design, develop, and test new inquiry lab themes. Compile documentation for procedures and course implementation. Make recommendations to course supervisor/coordinator regarding setups, equipment, curriculum, and procedures. Independently and proactively evaluate new experiments to determine their feasibility with consideration to enrollment, time constraints, costs, etc. Develop and design additional instructional material as necessary.
• Assist with preparation of written protocols and video walk-throughs for new experiments. Make necessary changes to existing protocols to clarify directions.
• Maintain excellent housekeeping in the inquiry lab courses; ensure equipment is continually operational and calibrated. Train and supervises graduate teaching assistants and students on the proper use of this equipment. Arrange for the repair or surplus of equipment. Maintain clean and safe work surfaces in all teaching labs and prep rooms. Clean and sterilize glassware and instruments and other materials using sterile techniques. Operate autoclave and other lab equipment. Collect and properly dispose of lab waste as mandated by Federal, State and University regulations.

Teaching/Programming:

• Directly and independently oversee the instruction and delivery of 1-2 sections of the seond-year inquiry lab each semester. Train, supervise, and provide direct support for graduate teaching assistants per semester in lab procedures to teach inquiry labs. Attend and prepare materials for the preparatory sessions and train the graduate teaching assistants on the laboratory activities. Preparatory sessions are scheduled each semester at the discretion of the laboratory supervisor/coordinator. Offer suggestions on specific experiments and instruct novice and returning GTA's. Preparing the graduate teaching assistants' teaching schedule and assignments each semester.
• Provide backup for the ALM3 Laboratory Manager for inquiry labs if required.

Other duties as assigned.

• Master's Degree in Biology, Life Sciences, or related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience involving:
  • Experience in ecology, evolutionary, cell and molecular, animal, or plant biology-based labs.
  • Experience with the scientific method, including development of hypotheses, experimental design, and data interpretation.
  • Supervisory experience (Preferred).
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to operate and repair lab equipment (troubleshoot), develop new and make changes to existing lab procedures (when needed), conceive new experiments and improve old experiments to illustrate biological concepts.
• Demonstrated excellent computer skills (primarily MS Office Suite-emphasis in Excel)
• Demonstrated excellent organization skills to meet experiment schedules.
• Ability to effectively supervise.
• Knowledge of OSHA rules and regulations that pertain to Chemicals and Safety.
• Demonstrated ability to mix reagents, solutions and buffers for use in experiments in the teaching facilities.
• Demonstrated ability of proper chemical storage, handling and removal.
• Demonstrated knowledge of a strong scientific background for formulating and performing experiments.
• Knowledge of bacterial culture including knowledge of aseptic techniques, autoclaving and media preparation.
• Knowledge of stress and/or illness in plants, animals and microorganisms used in experiments in the teaching facilities and ability to take corrective measures when necessary.
• Ability to teach laboratory sections in the laboratory facilities in the absence of the graduate teaching assistant due to emergency or illness, therefore skills in student instruction are necessary.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to train and supervise teaching assistants and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and resolve problems that may arise in lab experiments or student and TA situations.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task.
• Demonstrated ability to make good decisions in emergency situations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of lab safety procedures.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including weekly evening meetings and several weekends per semester.

Physical Demands & Physical Coordination

• Maneuvering and changing Carbon Dioxide tanks in the Loading Dock cage (above ground Level); being able to use a pipe wrench

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.