Coordinator, Laboratory Research Operations

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $67,300 - $75,000

Position Summary

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Office for Research laboratory research operations team. Reporting to the Manager of Research Space and Capital Projects, the Laboratory Research Operations Coordinator assures effective daily operational excellence in research laboratories and core facilities across the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. In this capacity, the coordinator will be responsible for supporting central programs overseen and managed by the Office for Research, as well as interact with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to troubleshoot problems and support improvements to routine laboratory research operations. Additionally, the coordinator will assist with space planning, laboratory renovation projects and maintenance, purchasing improvements, emergency management planning, and maintenance and development of information resources.

Responsibilities

Laboratory Research Operations:

• Inventory, manage and build a searchable list for the equipment exchange program that evaluates and repurposes used laboratory equipment.
• Manage research support programs supported by VP&S Office for Research, including, but not limited to, the emergency backup freezer program, freezer monitoring program, and electronic resource catalogue.
• Manage the Laboratory Research Operations section of the VP&S Office for Research website to ensure information is current.
• Evaluate purchasing trends and vendor contracts to identify targets for cost savings and supply. Collaborate with Columbia Procurement Office when required.
• Track and support faculty on-boarding/off-boarding activities related to space and equipment.
• Track and organize unresolved maintenance issues.
• Provide a resource for laboratories to advise on the implementation of management policies.
• Organize incoming specialty equipment purchasing requests and assist the manager with evaluation.
• Support the development of a modernized Capital Asset tracking and management system.
• Support the development of emergency response protocols for laboratories and become a resource for emergency teams during events.
• Act as a resource to advise laboratory research operations teams within the School and its Departments.
• When assigned, work with laboratory research operations teams within the School and its Departments with various projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Laboratory Research Space Management and Project Development

• Assist the manager with developing renovation projects and, establishing laboratory space standards, implementing space surveys.
• Support projects related to space, renovation, and construction.
• Organize and track all laboratory research space renovation requests.
• Follow, coordinate, and report on laboratory research space projects and their progress.
• Assist with the management of a laboratory research space database and assisting with current state space analyses, and supporting leadership in space planning, forecasting, and the implementation of space plans.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience, and 3 years of related experience. Masters degree, PhD, or MD may substitute in part for experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Laboratory experience in biological sciences/biomedical research.
• Experience in a technical field that provides knowledge of research laboratory infrastructure requirements.
• Knowledge of mechanical functions of scientific equipment

Other Requirements

• Expertise with the capabilities, requirements, uses, and physical conditions for research laboratories.
• Understanding or ability to learn scientific concepts and investigators' research-related needs. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, experience in establishing and maintaining effective professional working relationships.
• Communicates carefully, clearly, and in a timely manner (both verbally and in writing).
• Effective at maintaining the confidentiality of projects and research information.
• Excellent judgment and reasoning ability for problem-solving a variety of issues in varying situations.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and make decisions with in-depth understanding.
• Flexibility and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize among many diverse responsibilities the ability to multi-task and respond professionally in challenging situations, are essential.
• Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (i.e., Outlook, Excel, and Word)

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.