Job Listings

The department of Biology in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Academic Lab Manager I.

About the Opportunity

This position provides high-level support to a complex science unit under the direction of the upper-division Academic Laboratory Manager. Supervise and oversee general operational activities for biology majors' laboratories, primarily BIOL 219 and BIOL Capstone 320/321, but including other advanced labs for juniors and seniors.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week 
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Prepare, maintain, and clean up laboratory activities for the majors Biology laboratory classes (BIOL 219 and Biology Capstone 320/321) including, but not limited to, preparing, restocking, cleaning and/or removing supplies, reagents, media, solutions, glassware, and equipment. There are 19 sections of BIOL 219 lab offered in the fall semester, 12 sections of 320/321 lab offered in the spring semester, and 1 section of 219 offered during the summer. Each section is 2 hrs and 50 minutes in length. Approximate attendance of 600 students annually. 
• Maintain healthy stock of a wide range of organisms, including but not limited to yeast, bacteria, and plants. 
• Maintain clean and safe work surfaces in all teaching labs and prep rooms.  Clean and sterilize glassware and instruments and other materials using sterile techniques.  Operate autoclave and other lab equipment.  Collect and properly dispose of lab waste as mandated by Federal, State and University regulations.
• Inventory and maintain supplies in a manner that will facilitate lab operations in an orderly manner.  Conduct annual chemical and equipment inventories. Conduct supply inventories throughout the year.
• Maintain laboratory equipment including but not limited to, autoclave, centrifuge, shaker, water bath, pH meter, balance, and gel imaging and electrophoresis apparatus. Train teaching assistants and students on the proper use of this equipment.
• Maintain first aid and safety equipment such as a well-stocked first aid kit and be ready to put them to use in the event of an emergency.
• Provide support for approximately 10-12 teaching assistants per semester in lab procedures to teach biology laboratories.
• Perform all aspects of weekly laboratory preparatory sessions related to majors' labs including but not limited to, preparing supplies, reagents, solutions, glassware, and equipment.  Preparatory sessions are scheduled each semester at the discretion of the Academic Lab Manager II and the course instructor.
• Monitors graduate teaching assistants grade records to ensure that they are maintained, accurate, and up to date.
• Train and supervise work study students in proper handling and storage procedures for chemicals, solutions, supplies and equipment.
• Make recommendations to the Academic Lab Manager II and the course instructor regarding setups, equipment, curriculum, policies, and procedures.
• In the absence of the Academic Laboratory Manager II, the employee must be able to maintain and direct majors' biology lab classes and computer facility.
• Work with instructors of BIOL 105 and upper-division lab courses (BIOL 493A, BIOL 350, NRSC 320) when they need help with lab setup or ordering specific things.
• Other duties as assigned.

Pay Grade: 15

• Bachelor's in Biology, Life Sciences, Chemistry or related field. 
• A minimum of six (6) months of demonstrated job-related experience in ecology/evolutionary/cell and molecular based laboratories with an excellent background in biology and good knowledge of chemistry.  Must have experience dealing with laboratory and safety issues.  Must have experience in methodology commonly used in higher education biology teaching laboratories.  
• Demonstrated ability to mix reagents, solutions and buffers for use in experiments in the teaching facilities.  Therefore, a working knowledge of how to calculate molar concentrations is necessary.  
• Demonstrated ability of proper chemical storage, handling and removal and knowledge of lab safety procedures.  
• Demonstrated ability to make good decisions in emergency situations.
• Strong scientific background for understanding, preparing, and performing experiments.
• Knowledge of bacterial culture including knowledge of aseptic techniques, autoclaving and media preparation.  
• Knowledge of stress and/or illness in plants, animals and microorganisms used in experiments in the teaching facilities and ability to take corrective measures when necessary.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Excel for inventories and grade record keeping.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
• Demonstrated ability to train and supervise work study students.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and resolve problems that may arise in lab experiments or student and graduate teaching assistant situations.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task.

Requirements

• Valid US Driver's License. The person in this position must be able to drive, unassisted and upon immediate notice, to other parts of the campus, around the city and/or state(s) when necessary. The person in this position must also have their own vehicle, as state vehicles are not provided for this position.
• Employee is responsible for keeping current the certifications needed (CPR, First Aid), supervisor's preference and mandated training for Hazardous waste, hazard communications and Laboratory safety, state and federal law.
• Lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs daily.
• Delicate equipment is used within the laboratory that must be handled with precision movements.  Hand eye coordination is necessary for the loading of gels and pipetting of precise amounts of liquids. 

About WVU

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.  

From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley - the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position. 

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb. 

Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic learning environment is core to WVU's academic mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

To learn more about West Virginia University, visit go.wvu.edu. View current career opportunities at careers.wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.