Chemistry Lab Assistant; On-Site

Hiring Range

Step 1: $26.79 - Step 5: $31.89. Budgeted hourly range:
Step 1: $26.79/hr.

The University of California, Merced is one of the ten UC campuses and a recently designated R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, strong research partnerships, and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. Ranked in the top 30 among public universities nationally and #1 for social mobility, UC Merced provides world‑class educational opportunities and supports the regional economy.

Under the direction of the Chemistry Instructional Lab Coordinators, the Lab Assistant’s primary responsibility is to assist with the setup and maintenance of the chemistry instructional labs, including preparing chemical solutions, managing supplies, and supporting student assistants.

• From written procedures or verbal instructions, independently plan and prepare chemical solutions for laboratory experiments and maintain course supplies and lab equipment.
• Set up and tear down General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic lab course experiments weekly and attend instructional meetings as scheduled.
• Assist teaching staff with chemical, supply, and equipment issues, and support safety and emergency procedures.
• Train and direct student assistants in safe handling of chemicals and laboratory practices.
• Maintain lab safety and emergency procedures, properly process, monitor, and dispose of hazardous materials, and keep an electronic chemical inventory.
• Monitor course supply inventories and request orders to ensure adequate levels of supplies at all times; maintain an electronic lab equipment inventory and perform semester‑end inventory checks.
• Ensure lab preparation areas and classrooms remain clean and orderly; report facility issues immediately.
• Assist in developing and electronically maintaining laboratory documentation for all lab operations.
• Provide performance evaluation information for student assistants to Lab Coordinators and assist in hiring them as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma and/or equivalent certification, experience, or training.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Chemistry or a related science.

And/or equivalent certification or experience. Preferred:
Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and three years of laboratory experience or two years of college coursework with laboratory experience; equivalent combinations of education and experience are acceptable.

• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse range of chemicals, from organic to inorganic.
• Strong communication skills to convey information accurately, clearly, and concisely.
• Diplomatic communication skills to work with diverse populations; preferred experience.
• Ability to write logical, concise, and grammatically correct documents, procedures, and instructions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate with internal and external staff; preferred experience.
• Independent and highly accurate work performance.
• Maintaining clear and complete records.
• Organizing and maintaining a clean, shared laboratory preparation area.
• Setting priorities under conflicting demands of time and deadlines; ability to manage frequent interruptions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and related software.
• Reading and comprehending fine print on chemical labels and catalogs.

Background Check

Background check required.

Policy Statement

How To Apply

An online application is required for each position. The University of California, Merced is aware that web‑based applications may pose challenges for differently abled applicants; alternative accommodations may be provided. Applicants with disabilities…