The Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering within the VCU
College of Engineering is seeking candidates to apply for the
Research Laboratory Manager position in the Fluids in Advanced
Systems & Technology (FAST) Research Group.
Since its inception in 1996, VCU College of Engineering has brought
innovative, real-world engineering education to Central Virginia.
Comprised of five different departments plus the Dean’s office, the
College of Engineering enrolls approxiamately 2,000 undergraduate
and 500 graduate students in several degree programs supported by
about 600 full time, part time, and student employees.
Duties & Responsibilities:
This position reports to Dr. Lane Carasik to support successful
execution of extramural funded research activities (e.g. state
& federal grants, subcontracts, and industry sponsored
projects). This includes ensuring the operations of FAST research
group’s experimental laboratory spaces in accordance of
environmental health and safety regulations, supporting the
onboarding & training of research staff and students
(undergraduate and graduate), manage tasks required by funded
research activities, assisting research staff and students with
their research, assisting with grant report requirements &
proposal development, and (if applicable) performing some research
themselves that could include presenting/publishing the
results.
This position will be responsible for:
- Serve as a primary point of contact for matters related to
laboratory operations involving environmental health and
safety,
Maintaining laboratory materials inventory, anticipating needs
for supplies and materials based on project deadlines, assisting in
purchasing/receiving of materials, and conducting equipment
maintenance (e.g., water filtration systems, instrument
calibration, software version control),
Overseeing the standard operating procedures for laboratory
operations (experimental facilities), drafting and updating
policies and procedures as needed or may be requested,
Assist FAST research group members with their research,
including designing experiments, attending planning meetings,
collecting data, analyzing data, and publishing the results,
Assist with the hiring, training and career development of
undergraduate & graduate student, postdoctoral research group
members, and other research staff,
Partnering with students (undergraduate and graduate), research
staff, and faculty in the execution of existing research
initiatives by supporting experimental and computational
studies,
Aiding the identification, evaluation, and development (e.g.,
from brainstorming to proposal preparation) of new research
horizons across the focus areas of the FAST research group,
Assist in conducting and documenting literature reviews of
prior activities related to research objectives,
Documenting research findings and communicating results to
internal and external team members and collaborators,
Presenting and/or publishing research findings at conferences
and in journals,
Delivering results in a fast-paced, time-sensitive
environment,
Strong written/oral skills and the ability to communicate
technical and strategic concepts,
Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers, colleagues,
and trainees to better assist them in accomplishing their
goal,
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while
supporting team activities (i.e. leading meetings when
needed),
Other duties and special projects as may be assigned to support
the FAST research group and the College of Engineering
mission,
Attention to detail with an ability to maintain detailed
records (environmental health & safety trainings, lab
notebooks, research datasets, and periodic grant/project sponsor
reports) and potentially budgets,
Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment
with engagement with all levels of the organization and the
University.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
- B.S. or equivalent experience in a field related to a STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics)
field.
- Experience in using the following software: Microsoft Office
(word, excel, powerpoint) suite or equivalent and the ability to
learn how to use overleaf (LaTeX).
- Experience writing and presenting scientific research or
equivalent such as professional reports.
- Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers, colleagues,
and trainees to better assist them in accomplishing their
goal.
- Significant experience or equivalent working with external
organizations such vendors, suppliers, and partner
organizations/collaborators.
- Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of
respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty,
staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a
commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
Preferred Qualifications
- The willingness and interest to travel with or independently
travel domestically to represent the FAST research group or College
of Engineering at relevant sponsor, industry, and scientific
community meetings.
- Experience in working on a team with group members who will
have short- to long-term tenure in the group (summer interns,
graduate students, and professional staff).
- The ability to be flexible and manage short term emergent
issues while working towards medium- and long-term research
goals/milestones/deliverables.
Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000
Benefits : All full-time university staff are eligible for
VCU’s robust
benefits
package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual
and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning
and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs,
employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities
for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: Yes
ORP Eligible: No
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
University Job Title: 3230B - Lab Manager Base
Unit: College Of Engineering MBU
Department: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
Contact Information:
Contact Name: Sierra Cloud
Contact Email: cloudse@vcu.edu
