Lab Teaching Assistant

Position Summary:
The Laboratory Teaching Assistant is part of the Chemistry Department teaching staff at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for the management and functionality of the undergraduate chemistry laboratories. This position includes preparing laboratories for students, maintaining safety guidelines for the lab, and working with the laboratory instructor to fulfill the needs of classes.

About the Work Unit:

Chemistry is the intellectual home to over 250 students, post-docs, and faculty members working in a wide range of specializations, as well as the interdisciplinary fields of chemical biology, structural biology, molecular toxicology, materials chemistry, and nanotechnology. Close collaboration with the School of Medicine, School of Engineering and other departments within the College of Arts and Science-particularly the departments of biological sciences and physics--provides valuable opportunities to not only excel in the traditional disciplines of chemistry but also investigate the many ways that chemistry intersects with other fields.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Prepares reagents and solutions for specialized undergraduate instructional laboratories.
• Prepares, sets up and issues materials and equipment for use in student laboratory demonstrations, experiments, exercises and exams; assists in the operation and maintenance of instructional labs; participates in the planning and implementation of lab exercises and experiments; implements new or modified policies and procedures as required; prepares special instructions for non-routine and complex assignments
• Demonstrates the safe and proper use of laboratory equipment and hazardous materials. Prepares, tests, adjusts, modifies, performs routine maintenance on and calibrates a variety of technical laboratory equipment; trouble-shoots equipment and makes minor repairs or arranges for service repair.
• Constructs, adapts, tests and maintains equipment, interface computer systems and apparatus used in the laboratory.
• Administrative oversight of class rolls, course equipment damages, laboratory assignments, FWSP assistance. Assist faculty laboratory supervisor with course development.
• Administrative oversight of maintenance protocols with respect to the infrastructure of all the teaching laboratories.
• Acts as substitute laboratory staff support for current Senior Laboratory Teaching Assistants during summer vacations/absences.
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Teaching Lab Manager.

Education and Certifications:

• Associate degree in chemistry or chemical engineering is necessary. 

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in academic/private sector laboratory environment is strongly preferred.

• Candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills and work efficiently with undergraduate and graduate students and faculty.