LAB & FACILITIES MANAGER

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The Department of Material Science and Engineering (MSE) has an open opportunity for an instructional lab and facilities manager. This position is responsible for managing and administering the MSE Department’s teaching and research laboratories, as well as managing other department space. These facilities are used by students, faculty, staff, and the public to carry out the educational and research mission of the University.
MSE’s curriculum includes a broad array of subject matter. The discipline is continuously evolving with technology. The curriculum requires that students devote significant amounts of time to performing laboratory experiments and design projects. Currently the department supports instructional laboratories under the umbrella of the Materials Tetrahedron of processing, structure, properties, and performance.  The instructional laboratories are equipped with a wide array of equipment, and facilities to support all four aspects of the tetrahedron including a suite of characterization instruments.
The Instructional Lab Manager must demonstrate a broad knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures in running materials science labs and experiments (preferred) or physical science labs. The employee will work independently with moderate direction from the chair, faculty and the administrator.

To manage the department’s instructional laboratory facilities, the person must possess modern laboratory and computer-related skills, possess a strong mechanical aptitude, and the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects. The instructional laboratory manager is provided a budget for maintaining and upgrading laboratory facilities, and has the responsibility for allocating these funds. This person reports to the administrator but works closely with faculty, especially instructional faculty, and the Chair. This position will identify, hire, and supervise hourly students in the labs.

Other department space includes offices and revolves mainly around safety and major renovations and repairs and equipment inventory.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Instructional Lab Administration & Supervision
General Lab & Machine Shop Operations (40%)
- Coordinate and manage department labs.
- Composite and machine shop maintenance.
- Arrange for lab space allocation in undergraduate department labs.
- Work with students on individual projects.
- Supervise and train student assistants (1-3 per quarter).
- Track and order lab supplies, or supervise student assistants in ordering supplies.
- Collect supplies, set up experiments and assist with TA trainings.
- Supervise and monitor chemical usage, inventory, chemical collection.
- Manage key and key code access to all labs.
- Supervise and arrange for surplus or other facilities work including space alterations and renovations.
- Develop and implement standardized best lab practices for data collection to ensure policies and practices improve safety, efficiency, and outcomes; document and disseminate this information.
- Improve and enforce department-wide safety procedures and accident prevention programs.
- Represent the department on the UW’s Organizational Health and Safety Committee and perform related duties.
- Work with faculty in new lab development.
- Manage revenue billings for NON-UW users and provide admin team with cost center billings for UW users.
- Ensure that all MSE equipment for research and instruction are tagged with a UW Property sticker and entered into the UW’s inventorial system as required by UW.
- Perform the annual physical equipment inventory for the department.
- Oversee space and equipment updates.
- Input data into Space Manager/Invision RE: space usage.

Instrument Operations (30%)
- Train new users on instruments.
- Standardize new equipment integration and training across the organization.
- Set up equipment for various experiments and occasionally assist researchers in experimental consultation.
- Handle basic maintenance and equipment repair and arrange for major equipment repair.
- Purchase lab equipment and guide future equipment purchases.
- Manage online equipment reservation/accounts through Coral.
- Standardize operating procedures for equipment and chemicals.
- Maintain equipment calibration.
- Conduct/assist materials characterization measurements and analysis for non-MSE users.
- Perform monthly testing of all lab equipment to ensure that they are functioning properly.
Undergraduate Labs (5%)
- Collect supplies, set up experiments and run TA trainings.
- Organize and conduct TA weekly meetings.
- Assist with supervision of TAs.

Lab and Department Facilities & Safety (20%)
• Instigate and manage work orders with UW Facility Services for space modification & maintenance.
• Instigate and coordinate with Facilities Services to ensure that work is complete, accurate, and timely.
• Coordinate facility shutdown and communicate information in a timely manner to the appropriate people.
• Serve as emergency, safety and building coordinator for MSE.
• Enforce laboratory safety compliance:, create safety training materials for super users. Ensure compliance of new shared departmental labs with evolving EH&S (Environmental Health and Safety) lab safety standards.
• Create and maintain the User Policies manual: comply with recharge center and evolving EH&S safety policies. Keep up-to-date instructional videos for existing and new lab experiments.
• Manage work orders with UW Facility Services for space modification & maintenance.
• Assist research groups with waste disposal as needed.
• In concert with the MSE Safety Committee, implement and enforce safety procedures and accident prevention programs for MSE facilities and personnel.
• As new grants are funded, consult with faculty to anticipate safety needs (i.e., storage for flammables, personal protective equipment) before lab supplies or equipment is ordered.
• Identify EH&S safety classes that should be attended by lab personnel; verify attendance for new students, staff, and faculty.
• Ensure that the Laboratory Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment is in place for each lab and that lab personnel have copies.
Other duties as assigned (5%).

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education requirement, minimum: Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field.
Experience requirement, minimum: Two to four year's experience in a related area or equivalent.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Competent machining skills; will consider light machining experience with the capacity to add expertise upon further training.
2. Basic knowledge of composites and can be trained to support composite processing and characterization
3. Operation and maintenance of scientific instruments
4. Attention to details, especially needed for chemical safety upkeep
5. Basic chemistry knowledge
6. Good communication skills
7. Master's degree or higher in appropriate field.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. and the ability to move furniture and equipment as needed.