STEM OPT Laboratory Assistant Jobs

Job Description:

The Department of Cognitive & Behavioral Science Laboratory Technician supports teaching and research activities related to the department’s technological resources, equipment, and facilities. The position manages installation and maintenance of software programs and laboratory equipment, monitors and maintains consumable supply inventories, provides logistical and instructional support of laboratory-based courses, instructs undergraduate students in specific technological, laboratory and research skills, and provides logistical support of faculty research programs.

To achieve our mission as a liberal arts university, we continually strive to foster a welcoming campus community, which recognizes the value of all persons. Our department is committed to contributing to an educational environment that is rich with a wide range of intellectual perspectives and backgrounds.

Essential Functions:

• Assists faculty with technical instruction of lectures and laboratories, including presenting laboratory demonstrations and common research-related content such as research ethics, IRB and IACUC protocols, policies and guidelines.
• Assists in preparing chemical solutions, sets up instrumentation, and ensures adequate supplies for classroom demonstrations, course laboratories, and faculty research projects.
• Assists in the teaching mission of the department by supporting faculty in the development of new experiments, demonstrations, and activities for teaching labs and courses.
• Assists students with course projects, independent studies, research design, statistical procedures, and written feedback on IRB proposals to facilitate IRB approval and project development.
• Coordinates with animal care staff and assists in training and oversight of students in support of faculty teaching and research programs to ensure compliance with IACUC standards and IACUC-approved animal use protocols. Assists faculty in training and oversight of students in animal behavioral and histological procedures.
• Develops, maintains, and disseminates procedures for equitable in-person participant recruitment for course-related and programmatic research.
• Supports productive and efficient faculty research programs by assisting faculty with logistics of conducting research.
• Maintains and supports departmental facilities including overseeing the general condition, cleanliness, and safety of instructional laboratories, benchtop areas, and fume hoods. Maintains, operates, assembles, and installs laboratory instruments, managing repairs and service contracts.
• Manages teaching and research laboratory equipment and supplies in a cost-effective manner within a prescribed budget. Monitors inventory, issues purchase orders, and maintains records for chemicals, supplies, and equipment while managing vendor communications.
• Coordinates with Information Technology Services on computer maintenance, repairs, replacements, and software implementation.
• Develops, maintains, and disseminates policies, processes, and standard operating procedures for access to shared research resources.
• Serves as departmental liaison to the Chemical Hygiene Officer to ensure compliance with chemical hygiene and safety standards.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, or allied discipline. Formal postgraduate training or degree preferred.
• Experience working in a behavioral science laboratory (psychology or behavioral neuroscience setting preferred).
• Experience with statistical software (SPSS, R), experimental design/data handling software (E-Prime, Python, MATLAB), and/or survey platforms (Qualtrics, Prolific) in research contexts.
• Ability to assist with the care, handling, and use of laboratory animals, or willingness to acquire these skills.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety, chemical storage, hazardous materials handling, and Safety Data Sheets, or willingness to acquire this knowledge.
• Ability to work independently, as well as to communicate and interact effectively in a professional and courteous manner with faculty, staff and students.

Application Instructions

Review of applications will begin on November 30 and continue until the position is filled. Required materials include:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three professional references

Application instructions for internal and external candidates can be found at https://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities/jobs-at-w-l.

Position Type:

Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible

Compensation:

The expected annual salary for this posting is between $72,000 - $83,000. Offers are based on factors such as qualifications, relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and market and organizational considerations. Washington and Lee University also offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of employees and their families. To learn more about working at W&L, benefits, and life in the Shenandoah Valley, visit jobs.wlu.edu.

Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking candidates committed to high standards of scholarship, performance, professionalism, and to a welcoming campus community. Job description requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.