Ready to join a workforce UNLIKE any other?

The Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering within the VCU College of Engineering is seeking candidates to apply for the Research Laboratory Manager position in the Fluids in Advanced Systems & Technology (FAST) Research Group.

Since its inception in 1996, VCU College of Engineering has brought innovative, real-world engineering education to Central Virginia. Comprised of five different departments plus the Dean’s office, the College of Engineering enrolls approxiamately 2,000 undergraduate and 500 graduate students in several degree programs supported by about 600 full time, part time, and student employees.

Duties & Responsibilities:

This position reports to Dr. Lane Carasik to support successful execution of extramural funded research activities (e.g. state & federal grants, subcontracts, and industry sponsored projects). This includes ensuring the operations of FAST research group’s experimental laboratory spaces in accordance of environmental health and safety regulations, supporting the onboarding & training of research staff and students (undergraduate and graduate), manage tasks required by funded research activities, assisting research staff and students with their research, assisting with grant report requirements & proposal development, and (if applicable) performing some research themselves that could include presenting/publishing the results.

This position will be responsible for:

• Serve as a primary point of contact for matters related to laboratory operations involving environmental health and safety, 

• Maintaining laboratory materials inventory, anticipating needs for supplies and materials based on project deadlines, assisting in purchasing/receiving of materials, and conducting equipment maintenance (e.g., water filtration systems, instrument calibration, software version control),

• Overseeing the standard operating procedures for laboratory operations (experimental facilities), drafting and updating policies and procedures as needed or may be requested,

• Assist FAST research group members with their research, including designing experiments, attending planning meetings, collecting data, analyzing data, and publishing the results,

• Assist with the hiring, training and career development of undergraduate & graduate student, postdoctoral research group members, and other research staff,

• Partnering with students (undergraduate and graduate), research staff, and faculty in the execution of existing research initiatives by supporting experimental and computational studies,

• Aiding the identification, evaluation, and development (e.g., from brainstorming to proposal preparation) of new research horizons across the focus areas of the FAST research group,

• Assist in conducting and documenting literature reviews of prior activities related to research objectives,

• Documenting research findings and communicating results to internal and external team members and collaborators,

• Presenting and/or publishing research findings at conferences and in journals, 

• Delivering results in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment, 

• Strong written/oral skills and the ability to communicate technical and strategic concepts,

• Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers, colleagues, and trainees to better assist them in accomplishing their goal,

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while supporting team activities (i.e. leading meetings when needed),

• Other duties and special projects as may be assigned to support the FAST research group and the College of Engineering mission,

• Attention to detail with an ability to maintain detailed records (environmental health & safety trainings, lab notebooks, research datasets, and periodic grant/project sponsor reports) and potentially budgets,

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment with engagement with all levels of the organization and the University. 

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. or equivalent experience in a field related to a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) field.

• Experience in using the following software: Microsoft Office (word, excel, powerpoint) suite or equivalent and the ability to learn how to use overleaf (LaTeX).

• Experience writing and presenting scientific research or equivalent such as professional reports.

• Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers, colleagues, and trainees to better assist them in accomplishing their goal.

• Significant experience or equivalent working with external organizations such vendors, suppliers, and partner organizations/collaborators.

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• The willingness and interest to travel with or independently travel domestically to represent the FAST research group or College of Engineering at relevant sponsor, industry, and scientific community meetings.

• Experience in working on a team with group members who will have short- to long-term tenure in the group (summer interns, graduate students, and professional staff).

• The ability to be flexible and manage short term emergent issues while working towards medium- and long-term research goals/milestones/deliverables. 

Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 3230B - Lab Manager Base

Unit: College Of Engineering MBU

Department: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering

Contact Information:

Contact Name: Sierra Cloud
Contact Email: cloudse@vcu.edu