PAY GRADE: 29E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

Under the direction of the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) Lab Operations Manager, the Research Associate II is responsible for maintaining laboratory and chemical inventories, ensuring adequate supplies are available for daily operations and provide technical support to research projects as needed. The work will involve overseeing a vendor stockroom, working with different purchasing platforms and lab tracking platforms to meet the needs of NIIMBL research activities across multiple projects; work may also include basic wet lab operations.

NIIMBL is a large-scale effort dedicated to supporting the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals, and it is established by a cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as a public/private consortium of a diverse set of member organizations, including industry, academia, non-profit organizations, state governments, and federal agencies.  NIIMBL is a member of the Manufacturing USA network of institutes funded by the federal government to advance United States competitiveness in advanced manufacturing innovation. Institutionally at the University of Delaware, NIIMBL reports to the Vice President for Research, Scholarship & Innovation.

The most high-profile activities that NIIMBL does are the execution of technical projects to advance the readiness levels of relevant technologies, assays, and methods. These projects include scopes of scientific work that generally include many organizations as partners and collaborators. For example, a project may involve experimental studies, at a level consistent with best practices found in the biopharmaceutical industry, and include scientists from several large and small companies, a scientist from a Federal agency, and a scientist from a University. Many of these projects will be hosted at the University of Delaware in a state-of-the-art laboratory facility purpose-built for such studies. These projects will involve a diverse set of technologies and approaches and address drug substance, drug product, and analytical needs by the industry appropriate to several types of biopharmaceuticals: vaccines, therapeutic proteins and antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, gene therapy vectors, and cell therapies, among others.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILIITIES:

• Coordinate with PIs and lab leads to maintain relevant inventory of consumables.
• Maintain relationships with primary and preferred vendors.
• Maintain chemical inventories.
• Maintain and coordinate inventory of select cold storage equipment.
• Manage and coordinate outgoing laboratory-related shipments.
• Participate in preparation of select equipment and laboratory facilities.
• Log and track select resources.
• Test, refine, and execute experimental protocols.
• Execute studies in collaboration with NIIMBL project teams, some of whom will be visiting researchers from member organizations.
• Provide support and training when applicable.
• Assume other administrative or technical responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant life science discipline and two years of practical experience in a laboratory-based environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with downstream operations in a biopharmaceutical development or manufacturing environment highly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and multitasking skills with the desire to work collaboratively and effectively in a team environment.
• Excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong MS Excel, PowerPoint and Word skills.
• Excellent organization and planning skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to adhere to standards procedures.
• Ability to function in a rapidly changing environment.
• Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.