The Laboratory Manager supports Davidson College Biology Department faculty members and students by managing and preparing materials, chemicals, and equipment for cell, molecular, ecological, and organismal biology laboratory courses. Laboratory managers play a critical role in the success of the biology curriculum by ensuring that instructional laboratories are well planned and run smoothly. Laboratory managers have a primarily supportive role, but there may be opportunities for direct engagement with students.

The successful applicant will join a team of two other laboratory managers and will support up to 12 laboratory sections of biology courses each semester, but the number and character of lab courses supported in a semester will vary depending on department offerings, needs, and curricular changes.

• Work with faculty members to develop and improve lab exercises and protocols, collaborate with staff and faculty members in the sciences, and occasionally assist with lab sessions.

• Prepare materials, chemicals, and equipment for laboratory sections of cell, molecular, ecological, and organismal biology laboratory courses.

• Order, organize, and maintain inventories of laboratory equipment, specimens, materials, and consumables, negotiating best prices from vendors.

• Collaborate with staff colleagues to coordinate equipment sharing and perform inventories for the Biology Department.

• Maintain clean laboratory spaces as assigned.

• Maintain lab prep manuals and standard procedures in paper and electronic versions.

• Contribute to the smooth functioning of the Biology Department by participating in meetings, planning, and committees.

• Serve as a member of the Lab Safety Task Force under supervision of Chemical Hygiene Officer to maintain safe lab environments through continuous assessment and annual lab safety audits of assigned rooms, participate in updates to the Chemical Hygiene Plan as needed, and assist faculty members and students with ensuring safe lab environments.

• Assist summer research students and support summer programs within the Biology Department.

• Coordinate with the full-time Instrumentation Specialist regarding annual/biannual servicing of pipets, balances, microscopes, and other equipment.

• Basic laboratory skills across molecular (e.g., pipetting), cellular (e.g., preparing media, solutions, and plates), organismal (e.g., working with model organisms), and ecological (e.g., managing field supplies) disciplines of biology.

• General knowledge of safe laboratory practices, policies, and procedures.

• Strong organizational skills for management of records (e.g., chemical inventory, lab procedures/SOPs, equipment and supply inventories) and timing of support (e.g., ability to prepare materials in advance and work proactively).

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse co-workers including administrative and technical staff, multiple ranks of faculty, and students with diverse experience levels.

• Ability to work in a field environment.

• Ability to obtain van certification and drive field vehicles.

• Ability and willingness to learn about specific laboratory equipment, processes, and reagents.

• Ability to problem solve and workshop solutions to laboratory challenges.

• Ability to learn and implement protocols regarding animal care and use.

• Ability to create and follow standard operating procedures.

Bachelor’s degree in biology/life sciences, chemistry, science education, or a related field and at least two years of experience in laboratory science and/or science education role. Ability to walk and stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs.

Five or more years experience in a biology/life sciences laboratory

Master's degree in Biology, Science Education or related field.

Experience working in an educational setting.

The leadership team of Davidson College and the Biology Department are committed to advancing the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In practice, that means doing our part to hire, grow, retain, and reward great employees from diverse cultures, ethnicities, races, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, national origins, socio-economic backgrounds, and abilities. This is important to our department, and we hope it is important to you as well.

Read more about Davidson College’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion here:https://www.davidson.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion 

We are committed to salary transparency in the hiring process as a characteristic of an inclusive organization. Our salaries are benchmarked to national liberal arts colleges and regional colleges and universities. The position hiring manager is happy to discuss our salary benchmarks at any stage of the interview process. Davidson College also offers numerous other benefits as an employer, including:

• 4 weeks of vacation in your first year on the job, plus College holidays

• Health insurance

• A 403(b) retirement plan to which  the college contributes 9.5% of your salary

• Tuition assistance for employees after 1 year of employment, and tuition assistance for dependents after 7 years of continuous full time employment

• For more, please see https://www.davidson.edu/offices-and-services/human-resources for details

In your cover letter and resume, please highlight education, experience, and/or training that addresses the roles, skills, and requirements of the position.

Application review will begin on November 15 and continue until the position is filled.

Information about how to submit an application can be found at https://employment.davidson.edu