Northeastern University Looking for Lab Manager, Inorganic Materials – Boston Electron Microscopy Center (BEMC) at Boston, MA Full Time

Summary

The Boston Electron Microscopy Center (BEMC) seeks a Lab Manager specializing in the analysis of inorganic materials. The Lab Manager will be responsible for operating a key research facility for Northeastern University and partners. Specifically, the Lab Manager will be charged with operating and maintaining electron microscope (EM) equipment, serve the user base, and training students and researchers to improve the quality of their education and research at the University.

The Laboratory Manager will also lead other administrative duties related to operating the lab efficiently. This will include working with the BEMC administration to oversee lab supply orders, setting up service contracts for equipment, ensuring all equipment is properly maintained, and working as the liaison to college and university space and safety staff. The Lab Manager will be a specialist in the analysis of inorganic materials, and be cross trained in the use of Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEMs) and Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEMs).

Responsibilities

Equipment Configuration and Training – The Lab Manager will oversee and assist with training of students, faculty, laboratory staff, and external researchers in basic microscope functions and safely on TEM- and SEM-related equipment and software. Training also encompasses equipment for sample preparation, including biological specimens. Successful training of the users will result in their ability to use the instruments independently. An important aim of the training is to improve the quality of student education and research at the University.

Facility Scheduling, Utilization, and Reporting – The Lab Manager will be the key executor of the operating expectations for the BEMC core facility, as detailed in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Faculty Oversight Committee, the College of Science, and the Office of the Provost. Specifically, the Lab Manager will participate in facility cost recovery efforts through the development of external users, as well as performing EM services for external clients, as well as overseeing the scheduling and proper accounting for facility use through Priority FBS.

Supply Management and Equipment Service Oversight – The Lab Manager Assume responsibility for ensuring that instruments are properly functioning and calibrated at all times and as necessary. Coordinate service by self and/or manufacturer (e.g. Hitachi, JEOL, EDAX). Supervise routine backups, virus checks, etc. on instrument-related computers. Establish routine maintenance and calibration schedules for the microscopes, detectors and sample preparation equipment. Communicate with the Facility Oversight Committee the need for instrument upgrades and develop strategies and proposals for acquiring equipment upgrades or replacements. Similarly, the Lab Manager, working with the Faculty Oversight Committee and the BEMC administrator, will oversee a consumables budget: monitoring spending, forecasting future needs, and initiating purchases on behalf of the laboratory.

General Researcher Support – As a support professional, the Lab Manager will act as a trainer, as a general consultative resource for faculty, external users, and their researchers using the lab. While it is not the duty of the Lab Manager to directly perform any research or experiment-specific tasks on the behalf of faculty, the Lab Manager will provide all necessary support to ensure the safe and effective use of the lab facilities.

Lab Liaison on Space, Health, and Safety Matters – The Lab Manager will serve as the lab safety liaison, meeting regularly with the College Safety Officer and addressing all identified lab safety issues immediately. Additionally, the Lab Manager will work with the COS Assistant Director for Space Planning & Safety and university facilities to address all space, facility, and maintenance related issues which impact the operations of the facilities.

Qualifications

Masters degree required. PhD preferred. The candidate is required to have a minimum of two years of experience in operating nanometer resolution electron microscopes, as well as the preparation of variety of specimens samples, particularly biological matter. Knowledge of instrument troubleshooting and minor repair is also required. The ability to train and interact with a variety of students, researchers and administrators in a polite, respectful and engaging manner is necessary.

Position Type

Research

Additional Information

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.