Job Description

The Lab Manager will manage and ensure operational readiness of a semiconductor laboratory. They will also collaborate with dynamic graduate & undergraduate students, postdocs, and experienced faculty from Engineering and Physics with strong academic and industry backgrounds and have the opportunity to contribute to research innovations, patent disclosures, and related technology development activities.

Job Duties

• Oversee daily operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, including CVD, PVD, and other semiconductor fabrication systems.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance and coordinate repairs with vendors or service providers.
• Installation of new thin film deposition or characterization equipment/systems.
• Assist in the setup and calibration of new equipment and integration of advanced research tools.
• Train and supervise graduate students, postdocs, and other users on proper operation of laboratory equipment, safety protocols, and cleanroom procedures.
• Maintain compliance with university safety regulations and ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Manage and/or purchase laboratory supplies, spare parts inventory, and consumables to minimize downtime.
• Support ongoing research projects by assisting with process development and optimization.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping of experiments, maintenance, and system performance.
• Collaborate with faculty to improve lab operations and support proposal development related to equipment usage.

Required Qualifications

• Solid understanding of high-vacuum systems, pumps, pressure gauges, and leak detection techniques.
• Proficiency with thin-film deposition methods (e.g., sputtering, CVD, e-beam evaporation, pulsed laser deposition, etc.).
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, and engineering documentation.
• Hands-on troubleshooting skills for vacuum, electrical, and mechanical systems.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills, with the ability to maintain equipment logs and preventive maintenance schedules.
• Ability to manage general IT schemes
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with faculty, students, and staff.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic research environment.