Academic Lab Manager I

Academic Lab Manager I

Company: Fairmont State University

Job Location: Fairmont

Category: Laboratory and Research

Type: Full-Time

Type of Position: Staff - Full Time

Department: Dept of Natural Sciences

Appointment Length: July - June (12 mo)

Benefits Eligible?: Yes

Requested Part-Time Staff Hours: N/A

F.T.E.: 1.00

Grant Funded Position?: No

Description of Job Duties and Responsibilities

Position Summary

The Biology Academic Laboratory Manager oversees the daily operations, preparation, and management of instructional laboratories that support the Biology curriculum. This position coordinates laboratory activities for multiple introductory biology and science courses and provides support for upper-level teaching laboratories and faculty and student research projects.

The Laboratory Manager ensures laboratories are prepared for instruction, maintains laboratory safety and regulatory compliance, manages equipment and inventories, and supports the care of living teaching collections and greenhouse facilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Laboratory Operations and Instructional Coordination

• Coordinate the preparation and management of instructional laboratories serving introductory biology and non-major science courses (BIOL and SCIE prefixes).
• Prepare laboratory materials, reagents, bacteriological media, specimens, cultures, and equipment required for scheduled laboratory instruction.
• Ensure laboratories are properly set up prior to scheduled classes and cleaned, organized, and reset following laboratory activities.
• Work with faculty to support laboratory instruction.
• Teach introductory laboratory sections and assist with grading or instructional support as needed.
• Provide technical and logistical support for upper-level teaching laboratories and specialized laboratory activities.

Laboratory and Materials Management

• Manage inventory of laboratory chemicals, supplies, prepared slides, preserved specimens, and instructional materials.
• Monitor inventory levels and ensure adequate materials are available.
• Ensure all laboratory and preparation spaces are maintained in a clean, organized, and operational condition.
• Oversee the timely washing and storage of laboratory glassware and equipment.

Purchasing and Budget Support

• Purchase laboratory supplies and consumable materials in accordance with institutional purchasing procedures.
• Assist with monitoring laboratory supply expenditures and identifying cost-effective purchasing options.

Living Collections and Greenhouse Management

• Feed and maintain living organisms which may include bacteria, fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, rodents, and plants.
• Maintain appropriate habitat conditions for living collections.
• Manage the departmental greenhouse and maintain plant materials.

Equipment Maintenance and Technical Support

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and coordinate repair of laboratory equipment including autoclaves, microscopes, plate readers, probes, electrodes, sensors, refrigeration and freezer units, and associated computer software.
• Coordinate servicing, calibration, and maintenance of specialized laboratory equipment when required.

Student Supervision and Research Support

• Supervise and train student workers, including work-study students.
• Assign and monitor student worker responsibilities and ensure tasks are completed in a timely and safe manner.
• Provide logistical and technical support for faculty-supervised undergraduate research activities when requested.

Laboratory Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain laboratory safety standards in accordance with institutional policies and applicable regulations.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals, sharps, glassware, preserved specimens, bacterial cultures, and biohazardous materials.
• Maintain and organize Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and other required safety documentation.
• Support implementation and monitoring of laboratory safety protocols and safe laboratory practices for students and faculty.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and move laboratory supplies and equipment (up to approximately 30 pounds).
• Ability to stand for extended periods during laboratory preparation and maintenance.
• Ability to safely handle chemicals, biological materials, and live organisms while following established safety protocols.

Minimum Required Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology or a closely related scientific field.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

N/A

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Experience working in a laboratory environment.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and chemical handling procedures

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Biology or a closely related scientific field.
• Experience supporting teaching laboratories in a higher education environment.
• Experience maintaining biological cultures or live organisms used for teaching or research.
• Experience troubleshooting and maintaining scientific laboratory equipment.

Requisition Number: 2026070SP

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Hire Date: ASAP

Job Close Date: 04/23/2026

Open Until Filled: No

Quicklink for Posting: https://www.fairmontstatejobs.com/postings/10432

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