Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $56,600 - Midpoint: $73,600 (Salaried E9)
Department/Organization: 204411 - Biological Sciences
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Job Summary: The Laboratory Coordinator oversees the day-to-day operations of a science or research lab(s).
Additional Department Summary: The Department of Biological Sciences seeks a Laboratory Coordinator to support the department’s research infrastructure across molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, ecology, physiology, and related biological disciplines. This position provides advanced scientific, technical, operational, safety, and compliance support for a large R1 research department.
The position manages shared research equipment, autoclave systems, preventive maintenance schedules, service contracts, vendor coordination, equipment inventories, user training, laboratory transitions, and research needs. The position also supports departmental laboratory safety and compliance by working with faculty, staff, students, Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities, Property and Inventory Management, eTech, OIT, and external service vendors.
The successful candidate must be able to troubleshoot specialized biological research equipment; develop and maintain SOPs and training records; coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, installations, relocations, and decommissioning; and advise laboratory users on safe and compliant equipment use.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Associate's degree and four (4) years of laboratory, research, or relevant industry experience to include three (3) year of laboratory experience; OR bachelor's degree and two (2) years of laboratory, research, or relevant industry experience to include one (1) year of laboratory experience; OR master's degree and some laboratory experience.
Skills and Knowledge: Advanced knowledge of biological research laboratory practices and equipment. Ability to troubleshoot equipment, coordinate repairs, maintain records, and support research continuity across varied biological disciplines. Knowledge of laboratory safety and compliance practices, including safe equipment use, biosafety, chemical safety, autoclave operation, cold storage, compressed gases, signage, labeling, waste disposal, and lab closeout procedures. Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, EHS, Facilities, vendors, and university administrative units.
Preferred Qualifications: Ph.D. in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related field, or a master’s degree in one of these fields with at least 3 years of experience managing scientific laboratory operations.
Experience managing shared research equipment or core laboratory resources in an academic or research-intensive environment. Experience with molecular biology, microbiology, cell culture, BSL-2 practices, autoclaves, biological safety cabinets, chemical fume hoods, centrifuges, cold storage systems, environmental chambers, incubators, imaging systems, PCR/qPCR equipment, and other specialized biological research instrumentation.
Experience developing SOPs, maintaining service records, coordinating service contracts, managing preventive maintenance schedules, and supporting laboratory start-up, closeout, relocation, or decommissioning.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
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