CMDR Laboratory Manager-HI

Job Summary :

HPU seeks a laboratory manager to maintain and advance operations of the chemistry laboratories at the Center for Marine Debris Research (CMDR).

The successful candidate will manage scientific projects, laboratory activities, and lab members, while carrying out protocols to support the Center and related analyses.

Responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to, assisting in the writing of research proposals, conducting high quality publishable scientific research, supervising, mentoring, and training lab members, carrying out laboratory and field protocols, serving as the Safety Officer by designing and enforcing safety procedures, maintaining Center facilities and instrumentation, developing and maintaining lab procedures, experimental protocols, and work instructions, maintaining a large sample archive and database, shipping samples, monitoring and maintaining chemical and supply inventories, properly disposing of chemical waste, and writing grant reports.

Administrative tasks are also required, such as being the main point of contact for CMDR, checking the general CMDR email address daily, reconciling numerous grant fund accounts, recruiting and vetting students and new staff, and perform excellent customer service, such as Polymer Kit orders and gas / supply deliveries.

Education and outreach are also a component of this position, including leading laboratory tours, giving guest lectures, coordinating outreach events, weekly posting on social media, and continuous updating the CMDR website.

Position requires travel around Oahu, outer islands, mainland, and internationally. Job involves work in the laboratory as well as the field, and at times the work is physically demanding.

Must be willing to attend all required safety and operations trainings.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree
• Successful completion of advanced chemistry, biology, oceanography, and statistics courses
• At least 1-year experience with chemical and biological research in the laboratory and field
• Driver’s license, own transportation and ability to drive between campuses and sampling locations
• Master’s degree
• Experience with producing peer-reviewed, scientific research
• Experience with National Institute of Standards and Technology protocols, procedures, and safety measures
• Experience with polymer science and / or organic pollutant and plastic pollution research
• Experience planning and coordinating scientific projects and laboratory activities
• Experience supervising, mentoring, training, and coordinating students, volunteers, and staff
• Experience with complying and enforcing institution safety protocols and policies
• Experience with inventory control and waste management
• Experience working with large databases and / or archive software (such as Excel and Freezerworks)
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently
• Lab experience with spectroscopy, calorimetry, chromatography, polymer science and / or organic pollutant techniques
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship and relocation allowance is not available for this position.
• Report to work obligations to support the department and may require work during HPU’s winter break, if necessary.
• This position may be considered an essential position with report to work obligations depending on the type of emergency, campus closure, or evacuation.
• Must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with the Protection of Minors policy.
• Upon hire, candidate must have reliable personal transportation to facilitate travel between to all HPU worksites and other locations as required by the position.

This includes a valid driver’s license and a personal vehicle that is legally registered and insured.

• This position may also require driving responsibility for an HPU vehicle. Due to driving responsibilities, you must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with HPU’s Vehicle Driving policy.
• Able to work all shifts and extended hours.
• Successful candidate will be able to work in an environment that utilize excellent time and stress management skills.

Key Responsibilities / Essential Job Functions :

Field and Laboratory Research (40%) will include, but may not be limited to : Assist in writing research grant proposals and write grant reportsLead and manage CMDR laboratory research and method development with limited oversight by the Center’s Co-PI’s, producing high quality, peer-reviewed research manuscriptsRecruit, vet, coordinate, mentor, and supervise students, volunteers, staff and guest scientists with research projects and laboratory activities, including onboarding and safety trainings for all new lab membersMaintain facilities and instrumentation, develop and maintain lab procedures, experimental protocols, and work instructions, ensure that lab and field procedures comply with high quality standards, perform sample processing and analysis, assure proper sample storage, archiving, and shipping, maintain inventory control and waste management.

Must be willing to design, give, and / or attend all required safety and response trainings as the Safety Officer for all CMDR laboratories.

• Administration of CMDR (40%) Reconcile multiple grant fund accounts monthly, and act as a liaison between CMDR and HPU business officesAnswer CMDR’s main phone and email dailyRecruit and vet new student and staff membersPerform customer service, such as Polymer Kit orders and gas / supply deliveries
• Participate in outreach and research dissemination including lab tours, seminars, conferences, workshops, education and outreach events, grant reports, social media posts and website updates. (15%)
• Performs other related duties as assigned (5%) Actively participates as an effective member of team by completing assigned duties, accepting additional assignments or reassignments

This description is not designed to list all activities, duties or responsibilities which may be required for this job. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned at any time