Research Lab/Operation Manager - Biomedical Engineering

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. 

 

Job Summary

The Lab/Operations Manager provides facilities and equipment maintenance, technical services, and support to department laboratories, skilled and semi-skilled machine shop services, as well as mechanical and electrical construction services in Biomedical Engineering (BME). The Lab/Operations Manager leads the daily technical operation and training of student users for all research lab equipment. This position establishes operating protocols and collaborating with faculty, staff, students, and outside users to maximize high-impact research output.

 

Essential Functions

Laboratory/Operations Manager– 60%

• Manages all department individual and shared research lab spaces in coordination with faculty and lab personnel.
• Orders instrumentation, equipment, consumable lab supplies, and chemicals for BME research and instructional labs, in consultation with faculty, staff, Research Assistants (RAs), and students as needed for replacement and additions. Responsible for inventory control including consumables (calibration gases, test samples, pressure and temperature sensors, cabling, etc.). Manages incoming packages. Schedules and coordinates all deliveries to BME Life Sciences Lab (LSL) and assists with deliveries to Goessmann Laboratory.
• Prioritizes and schedules tasks for continuous improvement in research laboratories. Develops and maintains a preventative maintenance program for the facilities and provides preventative maintenance in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.
• Installs new equipment including but not limited to engines, dynamometers, controls, pumps, valves, etc.
• Modifies, debugs, and implements control software (e.g., LabView, MatLab, etc.).
• Implements new apparatus, experiments, control software, Graphical User Information (GUI) and infrastructure.
• Maintains, inspects, repairs, tests, calibrates, adjusts, reconfigures, and operates electrical, analytical, and wet lab equipment using small hand tools, portable power tools and electrical and electronic testing equipment and devices according to specifications, schematics, blueprints, technical manuals, and diagrams. Maintains records, logs and schedules of equipment installation, maintenance, and repairs.
• Operates and provides instruction to researchers on proper laboratory techniques, general laboratory equipment, specialized laboratory instrumentation and software. Trains and supervises users of the research lab space. Maintains user schedule, users list, and assists with reviewing and determining usage fees. May supervise graduate and undergraduate student assistants. Assists with supervising graduate and undergraduate students for lab maintenance and safety.
• Develops written laboratory practices, protocols, and lab manuals.
• Manages all BME lab tools and equipment on loan.
• Responds promptly and appropriately to emergencies or urgent issues as they arise.
• Coordinates with university and vendors to execute and manage renovation and building plans.
• Conducts lab tours for visitors, sponsors, students and prospective students, STEM, Women in Engineering group and middle school science classes. Performs outreach activities as requested by the department. Outreach activities include preparing and giving research demonstration presentations to the public and assisting faculty in preparation of demonstration materials for outreach purposes. Other activities related to outreach can also include advertising, reagent, and materials preparation, and ordering of supplies.

Safety Manager – 20%

• Attends monthly Safety Coordinator and annual Shop Safety meetings with Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), to ensure that all BME laborat