Temporary Lab Assistant II - Department of Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is accepting applications for a Temporary Lab Assistant II.

Under the direction and supervision of the Academic Laboratory Manager III, the Temporary Lab Assistant II maintains inventory and lab supplies, operates and maintains special scientific equipment located within the introductory chemistry academic labs, provides support to academic lab manager and fills in for the lab manager as required. The position incumbent ensures a safe teaching and learning environment within the Chemistry teaching lab facilities.

What You'll Do

Laboratory Support

• Prepare chemicals, solutions, and materials used in the chemistry laboratories and by faculty who perform lecture demonstrations. Dispense the solutions, labels containers, and deliver all chemicals and solutions prior to the beginning of each laboratory session.
• Assist in specific areas of the Chemistry Preparatory Facilities as assigned by the supervisor, maintaining quality and consistency of laboratory chemicals to ensure that teaching laboratory sections operate seamlessly and consistently.
• Understand the risks of handling chemicals and exercise good practices in their storage and usage.
• Respond to requests from Teaching Assistants and effectively deliver the supplies to the laboratories. Maintain a working knowledge of appropriate concentration of solutions in units such as molarity, normality, molality, and percent and prepare them accurately.
• Maintain a working knowledge of laboratory equipment used in undergraduate chemistry courses including balances, pH meters, mel-temps, gas chromatographs, refractometers, centrifuges, digital thermometers, etc.
• Assist and participate in the distribution and maintenance of equipment and glassware/supplies, located in the stockroom, used in the laboratories by relocating, repairing, or coordinating repairs with appropriate personnel.
• Assist in maintaining a working inventory of chemicals and supplies needed for the Chemistry Prep Rooms and notify the supervisor when new orders are needed.
• Maintain good housekeeping in assigned areas and participate in routine summer and winter laboratory cleaning, as requested.
• Stock gloves, towels, and other items, as needed.
• Assist with demonstration events involving on-site participation during working hours, or eventually during evenings or weekends, as needed.

Safety Responsibilities

• Comply with Federal, State, University, and departmental safety practices and regulations.
• Exercise acceptable safety practices and monitor the Prep Room/Stockroom areas for potential hazards.
• Inspect safety showers and eyewash stations four times per year, or as requested by the supervisor.

Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal Responsibilities

• Assist in determining preliminary hazard parameters for chemical waste, remove chemical waste from laboratories.
• Create and maintain labels for liquid and solid waste containers for collection, storage, inventory, and disposal.
• Assist with laboratory clean-outs and ensure chemicals, solutions, and other hazardous materials are properly labelled.

Chemical and Equipment Inventory Maintenance

• Maintain a working inventory of chemicals and supplies in prep rooms, laboratories, and stockrooms, communicate inventory levels and request ordering of replenishments.
• Receive glassware and supplies inventory and replenish the stockroom inventory.
• Coordinate storage and/or removal of surplus equipment/instruments.
• Assist with the departmental lab coat cleaning services. Accept custody of delivery weekly and coordinate with groups for collection of clean lab coats.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Remain knowledgeable and able to perform other staff members' duties, in the case of vacation leave, illness, position vacancy, or emergency.
• Escort departmental personnel to obtain bulk solvents. Assist graduate students and faculty with requests for materials for research projects.
• Transport departmental furniture and equipment as requested by the supervisor.
• Assist in the transport of 55-gallon and 20-liter drums of solvents using a dolly.

Pay Grade: 10

Length of Assignment: Approximately 8.5 months

Work Hours: 37.5 hours per week

• High School Diploma.
• A minimum of six (6) months of directly related experience.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a laboratory setting.

Certifications

• First aid/CPR certification or ability to be certified as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of chemical and physical principles.
• Ability to pass First aid/CPR certifications as needed.
• Knowledge of laboratory techniques, equipment, and terminology used in chemistry, including ability to operate such equipment.
• Knowledge of equipment, chemicals and techniques used in organic chemistry is preferred.
• Ability to organize an academic laboratory and to maintain good housekeeping in assigned areas.
• Self-directed and self-motivated with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently, as required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to effectively give and receive oral and written communications and to follow work assignments.
• Ability to plan and complete both short-range and long-range projects for the supervisor.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative, productive working relationships with all departmental personnel and students.
• Ability to follow safety codes and policies established by the department, University, State and Federal government.
• Ability to function cooperatively in a team environment.
• Ability to maintain proper unit attendance and punctuality standards.

• The incumbent must have good hand/eye coordination and good visual attention for preparation of chemical solutions and maintenance of laboratory equipment. Work requires the ability to read, write, review, sort, and file materials and documents. Incumbents must be able to stoop, bend, lift, walk, reach, stand, and sit for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally lifting lightweight objects (up to 30 lbs.) or transporting heavy objects with a dolly.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging working environment and actively seek candidates who bring diverse ideas, approaches and experiences.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit 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. We value diversity among our faculty, staff and students and invite applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.