POSITION SUMMARY 

The Lab Coordinator is responsible for overall lab management duties in support of the assigned Principal Investigator’s (PI) and their laboratories. Supervises and performs technical and administrative tasks.  Maintains adequate inventory of materials and equipment to ensure adequate supplies for experimental needs.  Responsible for pre-award and post-award services for the PI and research staff.  Assists in the development of grant budgets.  Maintains familiarity with federal and state grant rules and processes. Manages lab safety programs to insure compliance with all applicable regulations.  Assists Investigator in personnel management.  Serves as liaison to institution administrative offices.  Conducts scientific research (bench work and computational), scientific project management, and data analysis as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(40%) Laboratory Administrative Management

• Independently coordinate the activities of student and/or volunteer personnel.
• Manage day-to-day activities within the research laboratory, including such activities as ensuring operation of essential equipment, making sure adequate supplies are available for routine experimental procedures, reviewing budgets, etc.
• Ensure PI is prepared and in possession of materials and information required for meetings, conferences and other scheduled events. Oversee and participate in the distribution of communications and information to the lab group members.
• Compose correspondence on subject matters that require considerable sensitivity, discretion, judgment, or negotiation in replying to inquiries, and/or presenting or requesting information. Drafts replies for PI review.
• Serve as liaison with other departments including Accounting, HR, Admin Services, and Facilities Services to ensure necessary services.
• Responsibility for laboratory key control.
• Use spreadsheet and database software to develop and maintain a variety of databases.
• Determine needs and purchase office supplies and equipment; facilitate office equipment maintenance.
• Perform general administrative duties such as photocopying, filing, mail sorting and distribution, maintenance of lab bulletin boards, etc.
• Develop travel itineraries for national and international meetings; arrange all aspects of travel, transportation and meeting participation (such as electronic abstract submissions) through final reimbursement.
• Conference, meeting, and event planning including coordinating seminars, conferences and other meetings including site/facilities selection and procurement, catering, scheduling and speaker arrangements.
• Coordinate interview scheduling and candidate visits related to the recruitment of lab staff, graduate students and postdoctoral trainees. Coordinate processing and screening of applicants with Human Resources.

(40%) Research Support

• Assists laboratory staff
• Performs molecular biology techniques
• Performs tissue culture techniques
• Performs bioinformatics analysis
• Managing murine colonies

(20%) Research Funds Management and Grant Support

• Manage & maintain financial expenses and reporting.
• Update financial reports monthly in accord with accounting report postings.
• Track/report changes in personnel / pay rates / pay distributions with reports from accounting/payroll.
• Accurately reflect changes in grants and funding sources.
• Use appropriate systems, forms and other tools and technologies to pre establish and monitor expenditure, process various reimbursements, and make purchases.
• Calibrate the financials with accounting on a quarterly basis; meetings with accounting. Research details to explain deviations in reports
• Examine reports for incorrectly posted figures and submit corrections to accounting, track changes
• Manage, compile & submit grant proposals.
• Identify, report and record Salk and actual submission deadlines.
• Create a clear and detailed tasks lists for PI to manage application guidelines.
• Prepare a draft budget, obtain PI adjustments and submit to the Grants Department for the final version.
• Compile grant by deadline. Request, track, receive and adjust materials from other sources. Maintain file copy and track approval/denial for Progress Reports and Support reports.
• Record financial data for funds reports.
• Maintain accurate an up to date grant materials (CV/BIO, awards/funding, facilities list, etc). Create, maintain and update required documents associated with adjunct appointments of faculty. Maintain database of faculty activities for renewal of adjunct appointments.
• Maintain alumni database of post trainee (postdoctoral and graduate students) work experience.
• Maintain libraries of reprints and coordinate payment for any publication costs.
• Create PDF files of publications for distribution to scientific community.

EXPERIENCE

Required:

• 4 or more years of experience as a technician or related
• 1 or more years laboratory management experience
• Experienced in successfully interacting with a variety of people, including academics, staff, high-level executives, and members of the community from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Preferred:

•   5+ years laboratory management experience 

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, life sciences or related field.

Preferred

• PhD or masters degree in biological sciences, life sciences or related field.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Required

• Theoretical knowledge of biological sciences; genetic linkage analysis methods; Mendelian genetics and molecular biological techniques, including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
• Theoretical knowledge of computerized genotyping methods.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and oversee independent research. This includes the ability to (a) develop, maintain, execute, and complete research projects of varying size and scope; (b) critically read, understand, and extract information from published medical, chemical, and biological literature to prepare background information for scientific abstracts, manuscripts, lectures, and grant proposals; (c) perform basic data and statistical analysis; and (d) produce high-quality abstracts, manuscripts, lectures, and grant applications.
• Ability to independently design experiments and debug protocols.
• Ability and interest in learning new scientific techniques.
• Ability to manage and track large numbers of samples meticulously without mixup or cross contamination.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and work independently.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with both PC and MAC operating systems, standard business office equipment and commonly used software and tools, such as Microsoft Office, electronic mail, and the internet.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; interact with all levels of management and employees across multiple departments. Ability to communicate and act as a liaison with a diverse audience of professionals. Demonstrated ability to supervise and train students and other technicians.
• Knowledge of standard laboratory management and safety procedures.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and assist with writing scientific papers and grants.
• Ability to review the scientific literature and apply to experimental design
• Ability to make independent decisions, analyze situations, solve problems, and initiate actions for the effective management of a large and complex department.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify problems and develop innovative solutions.
• Excellent written skills and knowledge of English language, including grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.
• Excellent oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, effectively, tactfully, and patiently in person, on the telephone, and in writing to a diverse group of people (including researchers, health care providers, patients, research participants, administrators, industry representatives) in the academic, scientific, medical, and commercial communities.

Preferred:

• R programming skills.
• UNIX programming skills.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must be willing to work in an animal-related research environment.
• Must be willing to work an adjusted schedule to support research needs.
• Successful completion of the Institute’s background investigation.
• Must be willing to sign an employee confidentiality agreement.

PHSYCIAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires constant standing, analyzing, communicating, reasoning and working inside. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)