Research Lab Manager

The Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering within the VCU College of Engineering is seeking candidates to apply for the Research Laboratory Manager position in the Fluids in Advanced Systems & Technology (FAST) Research Group.

Since its inception in 1996, VCU College of Engineering has brought innovative, real-world engineering education to Central Virginia. Comprised of five different departments plus the Dean’s office, the College of Engineering enrolls approxiamately 2,000 undergraduate and 500 graduate students in several degree programs supported by about 600 full time, part time, and student employees.

This position reports to Dr. Lane Carasik to support successful execution of extramural funded research activities (e.g. state & federal grants, subcontracts, and industry sponsored projects). This includes ensuring the operations of FAST research group’s experimental laboratory spaces in accordance of environmental health and safety regulations, supporting the onboarding & training of research staff and students (undergraduate and graduate), manage tasks required by funded research activities, assisting research staff and students with their research, assisting with grant report requirements & proposal development, and (if applicable) performing some research themselves that could include presenting/publishing the results.

This position will be responsible for:

• Serve as a primary point of contact for matters related to laboratory operations involving environmental health and safety,

• Maintaining laboratory materials inventory, anticipating needs for supplies and materials based on project deadlines, assisting in purchasing/receiving of materials, and conducting equipment maintenance (e.g., water filtration systems, instrument calibration, software version control),

• Overseeing the standard operating procedures for laboratory operations (experimental facilities), drafting and updating policies and procedures as needed or may be requested,

• Assist FAST research group members with their research, including designing experiments, attending planning meetings, collecting data, analyzing data, and publishing the results,

• Assist with the hiring, training and career development of undergraduate & graduate student, postdoctoral research group members, and other research staff,

• Partnering with students (undergraduate and graduate), research staff, and faculty in the execution of existing research initiatives by supporting experimental and computational studies,

• Aiding the identification, evaluation, and development (e.g., from brainstorming to proposal preparation) of new research horizons across the focus areas of the FAST research group,

• Assist in conducting and documenting literature reviews of prior activities related to research objectives,

• Documenting research findings and communicating results to internal and external team members and collaborators,

• Presenting and/or publishing research findings at conferences and in journals,

• Delivering results in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment,

• Strong written/oral skills and the ability to communicate technical and strategic concepts,

• Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers, colleagues, and trainees to better assist them in accomplishing their goal,

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while supporting team activities (i.e. leading meetings when needed),

• Other duties and special projects as may be assigned to support the FAST research group and the College of Engineering mission,

• Attention to detail with an ability to maintain detailed records (environmental health & safety trainings, lab notebooks, research datasets, and periodic grant/project sponsor reports) and potentially budgets,

• Ability to…