Olin College of Engineering Looking for Biology Laboratory Manager, Instructor of Biological Sciences Full Time

Overview: 

Olin College of Engineering seeks employees who are passionate about working collaboratively within and outside of the Olin community to support the College’s mission and vision for the future.

At Olin, we are educating the next generation of engineering innovators and shifting the definition of engineering. Not only do our students ask, “Who are we designing this for, and what are their values?” They also ask questions about the impact of their work on society.

As Olin evolves under the leadership of our new president, Dr. Gilda Barabino, we seek to become a more diverse and aware community, a place where everyone is a learner and where everyone is an educator. Olin will become a place where experimentation—including making and learning from mistakes—will be embraced across the institution, not just in the classroom. Collaboration is key to Olin’s curriculum and culture, and we will work intentionally to reinforce the values and culture to which we aspire. We are a community that thrives on being together; we value trust. The College supports teams to collaboratively decide how they can best do their work, display a commitment to the community, all while providing individuals with overall work-life-flexibility.

Founded in 1997, Olin College of Engineering instills passion and ignites innovation in its students and prepares them to envision, create and deliver products, services, and systems that transform and improve people’s lives around the world. Olin teaches students to be explorers and creators who design their own path forward. By challenging norms and sharing its unique approach to education, Olin is revolutionizing the way engineers, and all undergraduates, learn and create knowledge. Located in Needham Massachusetts, Olin ranks among the top-three undergraduate engineering programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

About the Olin College Labs:

The learning experiences within our laboratories are central to Olin’s pedagogical model, critical to engineering skill-building, and an important part of Olin’s aspiration to discover and develop innovative learning approaches and environments. We strive to ensure that students, faculty, and staff are part of a compelling, educational, and inclusive learning environment. The diversity that students, staff, and faculty bring to our spaces is a resource, a strength, and a benefit. Our mission is to ensure that our lab spaces are accessible and inclusive and that we welcome and support people with all backgrounds, viewpoints, experience, talents, and ideas. Our students have a strong and direct sense of ownership of and responsibility for processes, equipment, and spaces.

Job Summary & Responsibilities:

We are seeking a full-time Biology Lab Manager and Instructor who will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Olin Biology Labs that support students and the hands-on curriculum at the College. Candidates should have a Ph.D. and/or master’s degree in biology, a passion for education and for teaching, and experience teaching in a laboratory setting, preferably at the undergraduate level. A successful candidate will need strong management skills as well as experience working with both students and faculty.

If you have relevant skills, and you understand the importance of empowering students to learn and create through experience and exploration, we want to hear from you

The responsibilities associated with this role will be to instruct and support Olin’s biology programs. Curricular and related support activities will be coordinated by the Director of Fabrication and Laboratory Operations. This role is a staff position with a concurrent academic appointment. The position includes year-round responsibilities, with the expectation to be on campus when classes are in session during the school year and to support summer research and other activities. The ideal start date is July for the Fall 2022 semester.

Your responsibilities as the Biology Laboratory Manager include assistance in the management, support, and delivery of our laboratory- and project- based undergraduate biology courses. Primary responsibilities include:

● supervise all laboratory users;

● prepare protocols for all major pieces of lab equipment;

● work with faculty, staff, and students on research projects;

● provide a safe and well-equipped lab space and ensure standard lab safety practices are followed;

● provide technical and scientific assistance, instruction, training and consultation to student project teams;

● oversee the procurement, maintenance, and operation of equipment and instrumentation in the biology facilities and maintain lab computers in coordination with the Direction of Fabrication and Laboratory Operations and relevant faculty;

● manage the laboratory budget; select, order, and manage laboratory supplies and instrumentation.

Your responsibilities as Instructor include coordinating laboratory activities for up to three courses per semester, with potential teaching or co-instructing with a focus on biological sciences, and other areas as appropriate pending college needs. In addition,

● work closely with biological sciences faculty in the design, preparation, and implementation/teaching of laboratory sections for introductory biology and advanced biological sciences courses. These activities include preparation of biological reagents and media, maintaining cell lines, development and testing of protocols, and maintaining inventories of supplies and equipment, etc.;

● grade students’ laboratory notebooks and laboratory reports in the courses that you support;

● engage in service activities such as committee membership, student advising, etc.;

● assist and/or provide undergraduate biology extra-curricular opportunities for students;

● take a lead role in developing and maintaining a culture of proud and energetic stewardship among students for Olin as a community and a facility.

Qualifications and Requirements:

· Ph.D. and/or master’s degree in biology.

· Minimum of five (5) years laboratory experience in standard molecular biology techniques including gene cloning, PCR and DNA sequencing, bacterial, mammalian cell culture, and protein fractionation and expression techniques.

· Teaching in a laboratory setting, preferably biology at the undergraduate level, strongly preferred.

· Experience working with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff in an academic environment is highly desirable.

· Exceptional mentoring, interpersonal, presentation, and written communication skills.

· Ability to work with, receive and implement feedback from a broad spectrum of people. 

· Strong organizational and time management skills and ability to handle multiple workstreams.

To apply

Please complete this Interest in Position Form and include:

· A current CV or resume, including contact information for three (3) references.

· An Olin-specific cover letter. Tell us why you are excited to join Olin and why you are excited to work with students in the Olin Shop. Also, please explain to us how your experience might contribute to the vibrancy of Olin’s community.

· A description of your professional work or a portfolio (if applicable).