Posting Details
Position Information
Position Title
Science Lab Technician
Position Type
Regular
Job Number
SA96524
Full or Part Time
full-time 40 hours weekly
Fair Labor Standard Act Classification
Non-Exempt
Anticipated Pay Range
$23.00 - $28.00
Pay Range Information
Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of
the compensation range for this position. This range takes into
account a variety of factors that are considered in making
compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge,
abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other
business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined
based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, as
well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated
pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.
Position Summary Information
Job Description Summary
The Science Laboratory Technician performs specialized technical
work in support of undergraduate instructional laboratories across
the physical sciences and related scientific disciplines. This
position applies scientific principles, laboratory techniques,
quantitative calculations, and technical problem-solving to
prepare, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory
experiments, instrumentation, and equipment.
Working in collaboration with faculty, course laboratory
coordinators, and laboratory operations staff, the technician
interprets experimental protocols, determines material and
equipment requirements, prepares chemical solutions and reagents,
evaluates equipment functionality, and resolves technical issues
that affect laboratory readiness and experimental outcomes. The
position requires an understanding of scientific methods,
laboratory instrumentation, chemical properties, and safe
laboratory practices to support consistent, reliable, and safe
instructional experiences.
The technician exercises independent judgment in organizing
laboratory preparation activities, adapting established procedures
to available equipment and materials, identifying technical and
safety concerns, and maintaining compliance with university
policies and applicable regulations. The position also supports
laboratory inventory and procurement, hazardous-material
management, documentation, and the training and work direction of
student employees.
Responsibilities
Laboratory Preparation and Experimental Implementation
- Interpret experimental protocols and laboratory procedures to
determine the equipment, chemicals, reagents, materials,
quantities, and preparation methods required for assigned
experiments.
Calculate and prepare chemical solutions, reagents, dilutions,
and other laboratory materials using appropriate scientific
calculations, measurement techniques, and established
procedures.
Assemble and configure experimental apparatus, laboratory
stations, and materials according to established protocols and
technical specifications.
Test experimental setups and prepared materials to identify
discrepancies or conditions that could affect the execution or
reliability of laboratory activities.
Apply scientific principles and systematic troubleshooting
methods to resolve preparation errors, experimental setup issues,
reagent discrepancies, and other technical problems.
Determine material quantities and prepare appropriate
allocations of supplies based on experimental protocols, enrollment
figures, and scheduled laboratory activities.
Develop, maintain, and revise laboratory preparation sheets,
material lists, and experiment-specific technical
instructions.
Verify the identity, concentration where applicable, labeling,
and readiness of prepared solutions and materials before use.
Organize and maintain laboratory preparation areas to ensure
materials and experimental setups are ready for scheduled
instructional activities.
Laboratory Equipment, Instrumentation, Inventory, and
Procurement
- Operate, inspect, assemble, and test laboratory equipment,
scientific instruments, and apparatus to determine functionality
and readiness for use.
- Perform routine preventive maintenance, operational checks, and
basic calibration where applicable, following equipment
specifications and established procedures.
- Diagnose routine equipment malfunctions and performance issues;
determine when specialized repair or technical support is
required.
- Coordinate equipment servicing and repairs with vendors,
service providers, and appropriate university personnel.
- Maintain equipment records, including inventory, location,
condition, maintenance, and service history, as applicable.
- Monitor laboratory supplies and consumables, assess inventory
levels, anticipate replenishment needs, and identify shortages that
could affect laboratory operations.
- Prepare purchase requests, place orders through university
purchasing systems, communicate with vendors, coordinate receipt of
materials, and monitor order status.
- Reconcile purchasing card transactions and maintain supporting
procurement documentation in accordance with university
procedures.
- Evaluate equipment and supply options and recommend practical,
cost-conscious solutions to meet laboratory needs.
- Receive, assemble, test, and organize newly acquired equipment
and materials; maintain accurate inventory records for items
received.
Laboratory Safety, Hazardous Materials, and Regulatory
Compliance
- Apply university laboratory safety policies, established
procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements to assigned
laboratory activities.
- Assess chemical hazards and compatibility to support
appropriate chemical storage, segregation, labeling, and handling
practices.
- Collect, label, segregate, store and document the disposal of
hazardous laboratory waste in accordance with university procedures
and applicable requirements.
- Inspect assigned laboratory areas and chemical storage
locations for safety deficiencies, improper storage, labeling
issues, and other potential hazards.
- Correct safety deficiencies within the scope of the position
and promptly report hazards or compliance concerns requiring
additional action.
- Maintain required safety and compliance records, including
hazardous-waste documentation, chemical-related records, and
applicable inspection documentation to prepare for EHS
inspections.
- Review and update laboratory safety procedures and related
documentation to support consistent practices and compliance with
applicable requirements.
Instructional Coordination, Technical Guidance, and Student
Employee Oversight
- Coordinate laboratory schedules, preparation timelines, and
operational requirements with faculty, instructors, and laboratory
operations staff.
- Communicate course-specific logistical needs, equipment
limitations, material shortages, and scheduling conflicts to
relevant personnel in a timely manner.
- Provide technical guidance to faculty, instructors, and
undergraduate students regarding established laboratory methods and
appropriate equipment use.
- Demonstrate established equipment operating procedures and
laboratory techniques when needed to support instructional
activities.
- Train student employees on assigned laboratory tasks,
established procedures, and applicable safety expectations.
- Assign and monitor student employee work, provide task-specific
guidance, and verify completion of assigned responsibilities.
- Coordinate competing requests and communicate operational
priorities to help ensure laboratory activities are supported
within established timelines.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or a closely
related science or STEM discipline from an accredited institution.
Or a combination of coursework and work experience that would
prepare someone for this role.
- One year of laboratory experience involving scientific
techniques, laboratory equipment, experimental preparation,
instrumentation, or laboratory operations.
- Knowledge of scientific principles and laboratory methods
relevant to the assigned discipline.
- Experience preparing chemical solutions, reagents, dilutions,
or other laboratory materials using appropriate measurements and
calculations.
- Working knowledge of laboratory apparatus, scientific
equipment, and routine maintenance practices.
- Ability to interpret experimental protocols, apply quantitative
calculations, identify technical problems, and troubleshoot
preparation or equipment issues.
- Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, chemical hazard
communication, chemical storage compatibility, and
hazardous-material handling and disposal.
- Ability to maintain accurate technical records, inventory
documentation, and laboratory procedures.
- Ability to organize work independently, prioritize multiple
requirements, and meet fixed instructional deadlines.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills and the
ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, vendors,
and laboratory operations personnel.
- Proficiency with standard office applications, spreadsheets,
and email, and the ability to learn university purchasing and
inventory systems.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience supporting undergraduate instructional laboratories
in higher education.
- Experience operating or maintaining scientific instrumentation,
such as spectrometers, chromatographic instruments, or other
analytical equipment relevant to assigned courses
- Working knowledge of operation, maintenance, and proper storage
of visible, UV, IR spectrometers, HPLC, GC, and LC
- Experience with equipment calibration, preventive maintenance,
quality control checks, and equipment troubleshooting.
- Experience developing, testing, or documenting laboratory
procedures and experimental protocols.
- Experience with chemical inventory management, hazardous-waste
procedures, and laboratory safety compliance.
- Experience in training or providing work direction to student
employees.
- Familiarity with electronic inventory, procurement, or
laboratory management systems.
Special Instructions to Applicants
At Chapman University, we believe collaboration thrives through
in-person engagement. This position is fully on campus, and
employees work alongside colleagues, faculty, students, and staff
each day to support our vibrant university community.
Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides
equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of
their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and
employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration
for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national
origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental
disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital
status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic
protected by state or federal law.
Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently
authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion
and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to
the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the
Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.
Minimum Number of References
2
Maximum Number of References
3
Pre-screening Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- 3 References Listed on One Page
Optional Documents
- Cover Letter
- Letter of Recommendation 1
- Letter of Recommendation 2
