Laboratory Educator - Revised
Spelman College

Position Title:

Laboratory Educator - Revised

Position Summary:

The Laboratory Educator will ensure that the cosmetic science laboratory environments are safe and suitable for instruction. The individual will support the development and implementation of the cosmetic science curriculum, including traditional instructional laboratories and industry-based competitions. Additionally, they will teach two laboratory courses per academic year, maintain and coordinate the use of equipment, and train users.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

Administrative Duties:a) Keep detailed records of experiments and manage lab usage schedules.b) Maintain records of inventories, purchases, warranties, repairs, services, and operating instructions for lab materials.c) Assist faculty in selecting students for industry-based competitions, internships, and scholarships.d) Participate in departmental faculty/staff meetings, attend seminars, and engage in professional development.e) Serve as the primary contact with STS regarding computer use and requirements for teaching laboratories.f) Prepare routine correspondence and memoranda detailing cosmetic science lab services and relevant announcements.g) Assist in preparing research proposals, publications, presentations, and partnership agreements.h) Coordinate laboratory and classroom upgrades, including repair and maintenance of major lab equipment and replacement of workstations.i) Provide logistical support for events sponsored by the Office of Science Infrastructure.Laboratory Management, Safety and Compliance:a) Maintain and organize laboratory equipment and supplies by:

• Calibrating, servicing, and repairing instruments to ensure all equipment is functional. This includes overhead stirrers, homogenizers, rheometers, refractometers, conductance meters, moisture analyzers, friction analyzers, viscometers, and rancimats.
• Assessing and making recommendations regarding the technology needs for the cosmetic science laboratory to improve efficient and effective technology integration.
• Inventorying and upgrading laboratory equipment and computers in preparation for the upcoming academic year.
• Identifying and ordering materials, supplies, and chemicals necessary for instructional labs, and disposing of outdated materials.

b) Serve as a primary point of contact for issues of lab safety and maintenance contracts and keep the Director abreast of emergencies related to the cosmetic science laboratories.

• Adhere to the safety regulations and procedures outlined by the College, as governed by state and federal guidelines.
• Enforce safety standards and procedures to maintain a safe working environment, including training lab users on proper safety practices, ensuring compliance with regulations, and managing hazardous materials.
• Collaborate with the Environmental Health and Safety Manager to create and implement new safety protocols and serve on the Science Center Safety sub-committee.

c) Coordinate deliveries with the Science Infrastructure Shipping and Inventory Coordinator.d) Establish a system to improve the efficiency of cosmetic science equipment use, including creating user logs and scheduling protocols for the core facility.e) Collaborate with evaluators to establish protocols for analyzing the impact of cosmetic science learning activities and generating relevant reports.f) Communicate with stakeholders regarding the status of data acquisition, student training, and instrument upgrades and repairs.g) Stay current on changes and innovations in laboratory education and identify new techniques and instrumentation that could advance the cosmetic science curriculum.Support for Instruction and Learning: Teaching students or new lab personnel how to properly use lab equipment, conduct experiments, and follow safety protocols. This can involve both formal classroom instruction and hands-on training.a) Teach two laboratory courses per academic year, grade student assignments, maintain a grade book, and manage laboratory activities in the learning management system.b) Oversee industry-based competitions by supervising laboratory experiments, coordinating meetings with industry partners and team mentors, monitoring student progress, and identifying necessary support and additional resources to ensure project success.c) Coordinate lab-based course activities by setting up supplies, chemicals, and instruments for instructional laboratories and ensuring the laboratories are cleaned after activities.d) Supervise student workers, teaching assistants, and laboratory assistants.e) Assist with designing new lab activities and experiments, troubleshooting potential problems, translating experimental protocols for students and faculty, and training faculty on new activities.f) Assist students and researchers in understanding methodologies and instrumental techniques.g) providing technical assistance and training to investigators, their students, and individuals associated with cosmetic science laboraotryh) Oversee activities for the laboratory intensive and other co-curricular initiatives related to cosmetic science.Required Qualifications:

A master's degree in cosmetic science, formulation chemistry, polymer chemistry, material science, or a closely related chemical science or engineering is required. Additionally, candidates must have three years of experience in a cosmetic science laboratory or a similar chemistry lab-based environment.Candidates must be resourceful and able to handle situations with diplomacy and confidentiality, work under time constraints, and collaborate effectively with various constituents.Excellent oral communication skills are essential, including the ability to effectively present information and respond to inquiries and complaints from faculty, students, staff, administration, partners, and other constituents in both one-on-one and group situations.Candidates must also have excellent written communication skills and be able to:

• Prepare lab protocols and read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals.
• Develop business correspondence, employee evaluations, memos, letters, emails, program literature, figures, and spreadsheets using Microsoft Office, Google, and Adobe platforms.

Additionally, candidates must be proficient in utilizing laboratory instrumentation and have knowledge of chemical handling, including preparing solutions, storing and ordering chemicals, addressing spills, and managing chemical waste.Preferred Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in cosmetic chemistry or closely related chemical science or engineering. Experience in teaching laboratories, supervising students and teaching assistants, and working with course-based technologies, e.g., polling apps, iPads, electronic notebooks, learning management systems, etc.

Certifications, Licenses, Restrictions :

Upon hiring, individuals must complete HAZMAT and First Aid training.
OSHA training is a plus.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands for computers, move items, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel or crouch, and lift and move up to 15 pounds. Special vision requirements noted for this position include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less).

Shift:

Days

% Travel Required:

0%

Full Time/Part Time:

Full-time

Work Location/Schedule::

This position requires onsite work and is not eligible for remote work.

FLSA:

Exempt

Number of Vacancies:

1

Posting Number:

SC0707P

Posting Open Date:

08/22/2024

Open Until Filled:

Yes

EEO Statement:

Spelman College is an EEO/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Title IX Employer and we participate in E-Verify. We are a smoke-free campus.

COVID-19 Vaccination Protocol:

Due to the heightened risk of contracting COVID-19 and the spread of variants, Spelman College requires up to date COVID-19 vaccination of all faculty, staff, and students (collectively "Campus Community") that have job duties, attend classes, or are otherwise present on campus. You will need to submit proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination: full vaccination and a booster (when eligible) or a single dose of the bivalent vaccine) prior to your first day on campus or you may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement by providing the necessary documentation to: Yemi Brown, PharmD Manager of COVID-19 Operations, at ibiyemibrown@spelman.edu. Upon receiving your Spelman Technology log-in credentials, please keep your vaccination or exemptions records up-to-date using Etrieve.

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