Position Information Department Chemistry (SCH) Classification Title Laboratory Technician 1 Job Title Laboratory Technician 1 Appointment Type Classified Staff Job Location Corvallis Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible Remote or Hybrid option?
Employment Category Academic Year Job Summary This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time, 9-month academic year, Laboratory Technician 1 for the Department of Chemistry within the College of Science at Oregon State University (OSU).
The Laboratory Technician provides support to the Lab Manager, the Laboratory Director, the instructors, and the graduate teaching assistants by assisting with routine duties in the undergraduate chemistry teaching labs.
The Laboratory Technician has a responsibility to follow all laboratory safety rules and help to enforce safety rules with the teaching assistants.
The primary mission of the OSU Department of Chemistry is to provide a program of undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral education in chemistry and to conduct research and scholarly activities focused on areas of chemistry important to biology, materials and the environment.
The department offers B.A., B. S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry. The Department has 26 faculty members, 75 graduate students, and approximately 185 majors.
Approximately 2000 students are enrolled in the General Chemistry program each year.
The College of Science provides a core instructional role at OSU, supporting the ideals of learning, discovery, and engagement that are the foundation of a land-grant university.
The College embraces instruction and research, in disciplines ranging from the physical, mathematical, statistical sciences to the life sciences that are based in unbiased inquiry and a dedication to discovery and innovation.
The College of Science is committed to partnering with industry and public agencies to address some of the most compelling challenges of today and tomorrow.
Why OSU? Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!
Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves we seek them out and take them on.
We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard.
We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.
FACTS :
- Top 1.4% university in the world
- More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
- 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
- 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
- 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
- 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
- 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
- 217k+ alumni worldwide
- For more interesting facts about OSU visit :
Locations :
Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.
Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country.
Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.
Total Rewards Package :
Oregon State University offers a with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including :
- Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
- Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
- Retirement savings paid by the university.
- A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
- Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
- Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
Future and current OSU employees can use the to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU. Key Responsibilities 30% Inventory Management and Issue room staffing :
- Inventory Management and Staffing of the Issue Rooms is under the direction of the Lab Manager.
- Helps students in the locker check in / check out process each term.
- Maintains the issue room inventory including the organizing and sorting of locker keys.
- Enter breakage charges for items checked out to students into the established Access database.
- Maintain records on loaning special equipment to students or teaching assistants as needed to complete the required laboratory experiments.
- May assist the Lab Manager in the purchase of consumable stock from Chemistry Stores.Responsible for maintaining inventory of current stock and chemicals on hand in each lab to assist with planning and preparing for next term.
- Read and be familiar with the course lab manual and the course preparation sheets to determine appropriate inventory levels.
25% Laboratory Maintenance :
- Maintains and calibrates performance of lab equipment (used in titrations, and multiple other experiments).
- Test out equipment for the experiments and report results before the experiment is implemented.
- Helps maintain the collection, sorting, labelling, and storage of chemical waste following EH&S protocols.
- Maintains the overall cleanliness and order in the solutions room, the main laboratories, and issue rooms. Empty and replace the glass waste bins and recycle containers on a regular basis, wash glassware, keep laboratory benches and instruments clean, and replace empty gas cylinders on instruments.
- Helps the Lab Manager with preparation of all chemical solutions for standards and unknowns.
- Stages experimental setups according to the laboratory preparation sheets and at end of experiment take down, clean and store all equipment, supplies, as directed.
- May assist Building Manager if needed with general GBAD building maintenance and follow up. Respond immediately to emergencies that need a call and follow up to Facilities Services, COSINe, security, and ABM.
- If needed, attend weekly course Staff meetings for courses and present information for Teaching Assistant’s and Instructors on where to find chemicals and equipment, simple operating directions, directions on lab safety and operational policies.
- Help Teaching Assistant’s to enforce safety rules and dress codes while in the laboratory.
- Help the Lab Manager in training Student Assistants who work the issue rooms and help with routine cleaning and simple chemical preparations for the teaching labs.
- Oversee student check out for all lab courses.
25% Sample Preparation :
- Follow course preparation sheets and record data in solution preparation log sheets and assist Lab Manager in the accurate weighing and measuring of chemicals and in the preparation of chemical solutions, dispense into proper containers and label with proper chemical name, distribute prepared chemicals to teaching laboratories.
- Tests control standards and unknowns to evaluate apparatus and reagent preparations.
- Performs standardized chemical procedures. Assist in conducting experiments for teaching labs.
- Prepare records of supplies received, and unpack, restock and rotate stock on hand. Anticipate when inventory is running low for the lab and issue room and notify Lab Manager immediately.
10% Lab Support :
- Help train the teaching assistants in becoming familiar with where supplies are located and how to dispense chemicals.
- Maintains the replenishing of supplies and chemicals for each lab section to ensure a smooth transition from one section to another.
- At end of each section on assigned floor, clean the lab, the reagent shelves, the lab benches, the balances and balance tables.
Check that all equipment and utilities are turned off at the end of each day.
Respond to requests for assistance when working with teaching faculty in a timely, orderly, and safe manner to ensure they have what they need and when they need it to teach their laboratory courses.
10% Safety Monitoring :
Help to ensure all persons in laboratory adhere to all University and Departmental safety policies, procedures, and conduct.
Work with Teaching Assistants to help them a need, enforce lab safety with their students.
- Help Teaching Assistant’s to enforce safety rules and dress codes while in the laboratory.
- Assist Lab Manager in training Student Assistants who work the issue rooms and help with routine cleaning and simple chemical preparations for the teaching labs.
- Oversee student check out for all lab courses
What We Require
One year of experience in a laboratory setting and high school courses in chemistry, biology, mathematics, or any course which included laboratory work;
OR An equivalent combination of training and experience. NOTE : An Associate’s degree in Laboratory Science may substitute for the required experience.
What You Will Need This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard : 05-010 et seq.
Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
What We Would Like You to Have Training or experience demonstrating the :
- knowledge of basic laboratory techniques;
- knowledge of laboratory terminology, equipment, and materials;
- knowledge of basic math;
- ability to follow formulas accurately;
- ability to handle, package, and store laboratory specimens and materials;
- ability to operate and maintain standard laboratory equipment;
- ability to learn routing testing methods, procedures, and techniques;
- ability to keep accurate records in conformance with laboratory procedures; and
- ability to follow written and verbal instructions. Bachelor of Science in chemistry or related field.
- Three years of experience working in a chemical laboratory.
- Experience with Microsoft Office suite or other equivalent software.
- Excellent customer service, communication, and teamwork skills
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
- Exposure to carcinogens, laboratory magnetic fields (NMR, etc.), toxic chemicals, biological agents, compressed or cryogenic gases.
- This is a 9 month academic year position.
Pay Method Hourly Pay Period 16th - 15th of the following month Pay Date Last working day of the month Min Salary $16.60 Max Salary $24.
09 Link to Position Description