Pay Grade: 31E

Context of the Job:

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at the University of Delaware is nationally recognized for its exceptional educational experiences and for integrating instruction, research, and public engagement. With 24 academic departments in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, more than 25 centers, programs, and institutes, and featuring outstanding research and teaching facilities, CAS serves over 7,500 students, is supported by approximately 400 staff, and maintains annual operating expenditures of over $121M. The College’s 600 faculty members emphasize the enduring value of an arts and sciences education and a deep commitment to excellence in scholarship and all forms of creative and intellectual expression, with sponsored research expenditures totaling more than $38.6M per fiscal year.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry provides instruction in introductory chemistry to undergraduate students at various levels. The primary courses supported by this position are laboratory offerings for first- and second-year undergraduate students, in particular, CHEM 131/132 and CHEM 133/134, with other courses depending on the needs of the department. Most of these courses are taught year-round (fall, winter, spring and summer sessions) throughout the week (day and evening courses) with a combined enrollment of approximately 3000 students per year. 

The Laboratory Manager for Introductory Courses oversees all teaching laboratories associated with introductory chemistry courses. As the instructor of record, the Laboratory Manager, works in collaboration with a laboratory coordinator, laboratory technicians, and other support staff under their supervision to design and implement laboratory curricula, prepare materials and supplies and maintain equipment used in the laboratories, train and mentor graduate and undergraduate laboratory instructors (teaching assistants), and ensure safe practices within the teaching laboratories. The Laboratory Manager must be able to exercise good judgment in how to best oversee laboratory courses, which includes active monitoring of instruction and activities in the labs to ensure smooth and safe operation. When problems or questions arise in the labs, a response may be required at any time, and the Laboratory Manager must therefore be flexible to address these issues.

Major Responsibilities:

• Design and update laboratory curricula, with input from chemistry faculty members, to achieve pedagogical goals. Implement changes to laboratory curricula by developing new laboratory experiments and revising existing ones with regard to pedagogy and safety.
• Create, review and/or revise laboratory manuals for introductory courses.
• Troubleshoot chemical and/or equipment problems in near real time as they arise in the laboratory. Develop and implement effective solutions to problems with rapid turnaround.
• Train and supervise teaching assistants (TAs) in the introductory teaching laboratories, including safety matters, teaching techniques, proper use of instruments/ glassware and in appropriate handling and disposal of chemicals.
  • Evaluate performance of TAs.
  • Conduct orientation and "Right to Know" training of new graduate teaching assistants assigned to introductory laboratories.
  • Hold weekly TA meetings to discuss details of experiments and their hazards.
• Monitor laboratory instruction via frequent visitation of ongoing laboratories to ensure smooth, safe operation and to implement corrective action when needed.
• Organize and coordinate laboratory schedules and experiments in cooperation with faculty and staff.
• Supervise distribution of equipment, glassware, chemicals, and reagents to introductory teaching labs.
  • Develop and manage a budget for the introductory laboratories.
  • Maintain and control inventories; initiate orders; receive, verify and stock all orders of supplies and/or parts and equipment.
  • Specify and approve purchase of equipment, glassware and chemicals for assigned laboratory courses.
• Coordinate with a laboratory coordinator, laboratory technician and other support staff who supervise laboratory activities, prepare chemical solutions, and deploy equipment/chemicals/supplies in the teaching laboratories. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry with 4-5 years laboratory supervision experience. Ph.D. in Chemistry or Biochemistry preferred.
• Curriculum development experience.
• Laboratory teaching experience is preferred.
• Experience with electronic media, devices and software (e.g. Office) commonly used in an educational setting.
• Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to present information effectively to diverse groups.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and recommended standards related to safety practices applied to the applicable discipline preferred.
• Knowledge of the safety hazards related to the specific discipline and how those hazards relate to toxicity and worker/student health and safety.
• Ability to develop appropriate safety policies for the facility/equipment users.
• Ability to read, understand, follow and enforce safety procedures specified by equipment/supply manufacturers.
• Ability to respond promptly to student inquiries related to the operation of teaching laboratories.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value.
• Demonstrates and understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.

Special Requirements:

• Requires dexterity in handling delicate and hazardous materials.
• Ability to accurately discern colors and accurately measure out laboratory materials.
• With or without assistance, must be able to routinely lift up to 50 pounds.
• May require a valid vehicle operators license and occasional evening and/or weekend working hours on-campus.
• Frequently required to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to hazardous materials.
• Employment may be dependent upon passing a University-specified medical evaluation related to the use of respiratory protection equipment