Introductory Biology Lab Manager
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC
Job posting number: #7261395
Posted: July 9, 2024
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Job Description
Description of UniversityAppalachian State University, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The transformational Appalachian experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and embrace diversity and difference. As one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina system, Appalachian enrolls more than 20,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
Position Summary Information
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s in Biological Sciences or a related field.
Excellent organizational skills.
Teaching experience.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to work independently or as a collaborative team member, as deemed appropriate.
License/Certification Required
N/A
Preferred Qualifications
N/A
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Laboratory Management:
Laboratory manager will be responsible for facilitating operations of the assigned lab series, which includes the following:
● Daily duties: time-sensitive material prep, facilitation of lab exercises, communicating any necessary changes to lab exercises and protocols to instructors (and students, if applicable) in a timely manner, trouble-shooting malfunctioning equipment/protocols and/or other lab issues in real time.
● Weekly duties: set-up and break down of lab exercises, management of lab supplies, material prep and disposal, management of waste, production of course announcements and reminders.
● Semesterly duties: management of course materials, including syllabi, prep sheets, closing sheets, Google Drive resources, course sites (LMS: Moodle, AsULearn), serving as the point of contact for the Early Intervention Team, and the Offices of Student Success, Disability Resources, and Dean of Students regarding students in the General Biology Program, managing student and assessment data.
2. Teaching Assistants (TA) Management:
Laboratory manager will be responsible for management of teaching assistants, which includes the following:
● Daily duties: providing support to teaching assistants, as needed including performing check-ins, assisting with student concerns, absences, exemptions, etc, .
● Weekly duties: facilitating and participating in weekly prep meetings, updating instructor support and management resources, reviewing AsULearn gradebooks, ensuring that instructors are grading assignments in a timely manner and upholding the guidelines/expectations of the course.
● Semesterly duties: meeting one-on-one throughout the semester with instructors to check in and provide feedback, serving as a mentor, assisting with semesterly, TA evaluations, maintaining TA data and evaluations, assist Program Director with TA assignments and lab section scheduling, work with the Graduate Student Program Director on graduate student scheduling and management.
● The Lab Manager will address problems with TAs and students on a case-by-case basis and make decisions regarding the need to bring items to the attention of the Lab Supervisor and/or Program Director.
3. Instructional duties
● Will teach one lab section per semester.
4. Duties to General Biology Program and Biology Department:
Laboratory manager will work with the General Biology Program team (including Program Director and Laboratory Supervisor) to:
● Daily duties: communicate all lab related issues to the Program Director and Lab Supervisor in a timely manner.
● Weekly duties: facilitating weekly prep meetings, updating instructor support and management resources, reviewing AsULearn gradebooks, ensuring that instructors are grading assignments in a timely manner and upholding the guidelines/expectations of the course.
● Semesterly duties: to discuss the operation, efficacy, and future direction of the labs, maintain an inventory and communicate purchasing needs, serve on requested Departmental committee(s).
5. Duties to University and Community:
● The position will collaborate with a wide-variety of campus resources, including but not limited to: Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management, the Offices of Disability Resources, Dean of Students, Counseling Center, and Student Learning Center.
● The position will serve on two safety committees: the University’s Occupational Safety and Health Committee and the Departmental Safety Committee.