Denison University: Biology Laboratory Manager

Posted on February 10, 2022

This is a 12-month position that will work closely with Biology faculty to develop laboratory activities for biology courses and coordinate lab preparation for the Biology “core” courses (i.e. courses taken by all Denison biology majors, currently BIOLOGY 210, 220, 230). This includes working with faculty in the planning of potential teaching lab projects, running pilot studies to determine feasibility, and refining methods for class implementation. This position will oversee the purchase of needed supplies, reagents, and equipment for the “core” courses during the academic year and will coordinate efforts by student workers toward the execution of these laboratory activities.
Essential Job Functions
This role will work closely with faculty who are planning to develop new activities for teaching labs, or who plan to refine or troubleshoot lab activities that are already in use.

Efforts that will contribute to the Biology major “core” will be given preference, but development for upper-level elective and non-majors courses may also requested. The department will prioritize such plans to ensure that the efforts of this individual are effectively utilized. Such efforts may include: obtaining background information from published literature to facilitate the development of new labs, running pilot studies to determine feasibility of projects, and purchasing needed supplies and/or equipment to implement such labs.

During the academic year, the Lab Manager will coordinate with faculty who are teaching the “core” courses to prepare needed materials for labs on a weekly basis, obtaining needed equipment, purchasing supplies, and executing the physical set-up and subsequent tear-down/clean-up of the labs including the coordination of student workers employed to contribute to these efforts. This includes the oversight of plants, animals, and other living organisms that will be used in these labs.

This position will communicate and coordinate regularly with the Biology Facilities Manager to ensure that those facilities (Talbot Lab spaces, Greenhouse, Biological Reserve, Field Station) are being properly maintained, that living organisms are being properly cared for, and will appraise the Facilities Manager about usage of “common” reagents and disposable supplies.

Lastly, this individual will oversee the routine upkeep of teaching labs and associated spaces (prep rooms associated with these teaching labs, class bench spaces in the Incubator room). This includes hiring of student workers to carry out weekly teaching lab clean-up, the assigning of bench spaces for classes in the incubator room, and shelf spaces in the incubators for core courses, and restocking and organization of all teaching lab spaces at the end of each semester.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences (or closely related areas of study), with a strong interest in teaching and laboratory activity development. Must have strong laboratory skills, experience with reading biological primary and secondary literature, and possess an interest in a broad range of biological research questions and teaching pedagogy.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in a laboratory or teaching setting (or both), either as part of a Master’s degree program or other comparable employment is preferred. Evidence of self-reliance, motivation, and managerial skills are preferred.

Physical Demands
Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.

https://employment.denison.edu/postings/3563

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