Lab Manager/Research Specialist

University of North Carolina, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Chapel Hill, NORTH CAROLINA
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 01 Sep 2022

Posting Information
Posting Information


Department Chemistry-318300
Career Area Research Professionals
Is this an internal only recruitment? No
Posting Open Date 08/18/2022
Application Deadline 09/01/2022
Position Type Permanent Staff (SHRA)
Position Title Research Specialist - Advanced
Salary Grade Equivalent GN13
Working Title Lab Manager/Research Specialist
Position Number 20049568
Vacancy ID P015862
Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited Full-Time Time-Limited
If time-limited, estimated duration of appointment 3 years time-limited, with possibility of renewal
Hours per week 40
Work Schedule
Monday through Friday, flexibility in scheduling
Work Location Chapel Hill, NC
Position Location North Carolina, US
Hiring Range $60,000 - $78,000
Pay Band Information
To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet .

Position Summary Information


Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The Chemistry Department is one of the largest and most complex departments in the Division of Academic Affairs. There are 50 faculty members, 44 SHRA and 37 EHRA staff positions, 260 graduate students, 37 postdoctoral research associates, 700 undergraduate majors, and an annual total of approximately 10,000 registrations by all students in classroom and laboratory courses. The Department is housed in five buildings with over 580,000 sq. feet of space. The faculty participate in teaching assignments which involve an average of 200 students per faculty member per semester. The majority of faculty are research active and supervise graduate students working on their Masters or Ph.D. degrees, undergraduate students carrying out independent research and honors programs, research technicians and postdoctoral research associates. Primarily the research is funded by federal and private agencies such as NSF, NIH, Army, Navy, DOE, PRF and involves expenditures of more than nineteen million dollars annually. A total of over thirty-two million dollars from all sources is expended annually in the Department.
Position Summary
The Lab Manager will oversee lab operations for the Leibfarth Group, directed by Dr. Frank Leibfarth, in the Department of Chemistry at UNC Chapel Hill. This position plays a key role in creating a highly productive research laboratory at the frontier of polymer science.
This position has a number of responsibilities, including overseeing projects, providing critical financial leadership and managing a multi-million dollar annual laboratory budget to monitor expenditures, project future costs, and resolve finance/budget issues; leading budgeting for new grant applications and revising budget post-award as necessary. The Lab Manager will specifically oversee the NC Collaboratory PFAS Resin Scale-up and Pilot Project, a $10 million grant to be carried out over the next 4 years. Additionally, the Lab Manager will be assisting Dr. Leibfarth with oversight for a $2 million grant from the National institutes of Health and other grants from the Air Force, Army, NSF, Eastman Chemical, and more.
The Lab Manager will ensure compliance with chemical safety regulations, help establish and maintain standard operating procedures, data archival, scheduling group meetings and events; maintain instrumentation, equipment, and infrastructure; and purchase and monitor materials and inventory. This position is responsible for onboarding, training, and overseeing new undergraduate students, graduate researchers, and postdoctoral scholars in the lab, effectively, as well as directly supervising other permanent and temporary staff in the laboratory.
The Lab Manger will collaborate with the Lead Research Chemist and consultants working for the project to design data collection, design workflows within advanced Laboratory Information Systems (LIMs) to critically analyze data, train team members on the use of LIMs, use analysis of data (in collaboration with the lead research chemist) to determine subsequent experiments required to advance the project This position will serve as primary backup to the PI.
The Leibfarth Group is a high-profile laboratory, as such the position is front-facing and requires an understanding of the research within the laboratory. The Lab Manager will be responsible for organizing and conducting quality control for monthly videoconference presentations and comprehensive annual reports to federal agencies, private industries, and foundations; as well as sponsoring site visits and reviews; responding to numerous ad hoc requests on a multitude of topics; and interfacing with Chemistry, Environmental Science and Engineering, the NC Collaboratory, other physical sciences departments, and the Office of Sponsored Research. This position will develop and maintain a public and internal digital presence that highlights scientific breakthroughs and archives group data. The Lab Manager will work with the principal investigator to strategize for future funding opportunities, communicate with collaborators, update ancillary documentation, and ensure compliance with internal and external deadlines.
There are opportunities for independent research, if desired, and the laboratory manager will continue to advance their chemistry, leadership, and management skills through professional development activities. These activities could include keeping up on literature, participating in workshops and conferences, and other activities relevant to career development as desired.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
The Lab Manager will have the following essential competencies.
* Effective project management skills, to include demonstrated qualities in organizational and interpersonal leadership.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to edit and compile materials from multiple sources and tailor information to various purposes required.
* Background in budgeting, spreadsheet, financial analysis, and computer proficiency (MS Office Suite) required.
* Demonstrated ability to function effectively in a fast-paced environment subject to frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
* Ability to interact constructively with diverse individuals with recent experience in training or teaching laboratory personnel.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Familiarity with issues in synthetic chemistry, polymer science, or sustainable chemistry is a plus. Knowledge of and experience in university business practices and systems is desirable.
Required Licenses/Certifications
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Position/Schedule Requirements
Special Instructions
Please note that a resume, cover letter, and list of references are required when applying to this position.
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/238191

Contact Information


Office of Human Resources Contact Information
If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to [email protected]
Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

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