Lab Manager

• Job Type: Support Staff - Non-Union
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $60,000 - $65,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Academic Administration and Finance (DAAF), the Lab Manager will support a team of Principal Investigators (PIs) by organizing, managing, and supervising the operational activities of the research labs. The Lab Manager will be responsible for scheduling work for shared equipment, facility planning and maintenance, inventory control, purchasing and maintenance of laboratory equipment, fiscal and administrative services, monitoring environmental risks, and quality control within the labs.

Established in 2001, the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (E3B) at Columbia University focuses on ecology, evolutionary biology, and environmental biology, which constitute a distinct subdivision of the biological sciences with its own set of intellectual foci, theoretical foundations, scales of analysis, and methodologies. The E3B community offers academic excellence in a range of natural and social science disciplines that are directly related to biodiversity conservation, including evolution, systematics, genetics, behavioral ecology, public health, business, economics, political science, anthropology, and public and international policy.

Responsibilities

E3B Lab Management

• Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations and ensure efficiency, safety, and compliance.
• Develop and enforce laboratory safety protocols and procedures in accordance with departmental and regulatory standards.
• Manage inventory and consider budget constraints while ensuring that the lab is well-maintained, organized, and equipped with necessary supplies, instruments, chemicals, and equipment. Make sure the instruments are calibrated and maintained for accuracy and coordinate repairs as needed.
• Oversee the 24-hour ULT freezer monitoring and emergency troubleshooting.
• Conduct annual LATCH assessments.
• In collaboration with the faculty, develop and execute a plan to maximize the efficiency of shared lab space.
• Manage deliveries during office hours. Receive large equipment.
• Manage requests for lab access and maintain accurate logs of all activities.
• Ensure that all projects are coordinated and running according to regulations.
• Identify lab space to include appropriate storage for seasonal field equipment (e.g., dedicated space in the greenhouse).
  
• Serve as E3B liaison with Columbia facilities and external partners or organizations.
• Ensure that shared laboratory instruments are calibrated and maintained for accuracy.
• Ensure sensitive equipment (e.g., freezers) is equipped with functional alarms.
  
• Serve as a point of contact and facilitate the process of obtaining the NYC Fire Department's Certificate of Fitness (C-14).
• Conduct safety training for lab personnel and maintain detailed records.
• Partner with EH&S and FDNY to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Oversee hazardous materials storage, waste management, and pickup.
• Develop and implement emergency response plans for lab accidents or incidents.
• Provide accurate information about safety protocols when handling hazardous materials and chemicals.
  
• Partner with the Financial Coordinator to maintain the vehicle usage schedule and coordinate the maintenance of departmental vehicles.
• Communicate effectively with faculty, 10 researchers, and 30 students regarding lab operations and resources.
• Supervise student payroll.

Diuk-Wasser Lab Management

• Manage hiring of summer fieldwork staff of student research workers and CU temporary workers.
• Assist students and researchers in setting up experiments and provide technical guidance and troubleshooting.
• Manage data and sample storage. Ensure data integrity and security. Ensure that backup systems are running successfully.
• Coordinate staff year-round research projects such as the Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN) Transect.
• In collaboration with the PI and Associate Research Scholar (ARS), conduct interviews, hire, and train seasonal field assistants.
• Manage permits and approvals, in particular, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and state, city, and other permits.
• Assist in lab and field activities when needed and as time permits (sample collection, tick and photo ID, pathogen screening).
  
• Work with the Financial Coordinator to reconcile the lab P-Card on a monthly basis.
• In collaboration with the DAAF, assist in preparing and managing the lab's budget, including tracking expenditures, allocating resources efficiently, and planning for research projects and grant submissions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a scientific discipline. Two years of experience in a research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using and maintaining scientific electronic equipment and managing data.
• Lab, research, and administrative experience preferred.

Other Requirements

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain high confidentiality and professionalism with a client focus.
• Strong multi-tasking, prioritization, and organization skills.
• Attention to detail, research, critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter, a fast learner who can work independently under limited supervision.
• Work well in an interactive team environment.
• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft or similar enterprise HRIS, Microsoft Office, and relational databases.
• Foster a collaborative and productive work environment within the lab.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.