Lab Services Assistant D - Facilities

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Lab Services Assistant D (Facilities)

Job Profile Title

Laboratory Services Assistant D

Job Description Summary

PReporting to the Research Facilities Operations Manager, the Lab Services Assistant D provides general laboratory support to research labs within the Institute for Immunology and Immune Health (I3H). Daily responsibilities include biohazard waste collection and disposal, laboratory glassware washing, and autoclave/sterilization processing.
The Lab Services Assistant D will also assist with the management and inventory of critical research gases (CO2 and LN2), as well as shared lab consumables, including requisitioning, receiving, unpacking, and restocking supplies as needed. Additionally, the Lab Services Assistant D provides environmental and freezer monitoring using the Aegis system and supports the upkeep of laboratory cold storage units through periodic defrosting and filter cleaning.
The Lab Services Assistant D will occasionally assist with laboratory reconfigurations, large equipment relocations, and general laboratory maintenance. In addition to routine duties, this position requires participation in an on-call rotation to provide emergency response during after-hours and weekend incidents. The I3H Facilities provides essential support services to the I3H labs and therefore this position is designated as essential and is expected to work when normal campus operations are suspended unexpectedly, or during planned

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Lab Operations Support

• Perform twice-weekly floor inspections and submit reports to the Operations Manager and Assistant Facilities Manager.
• Transport biohazard waste to collection point for vendor pickup.
• Collect, wash, sterilize and return lab glassware.
• Monitor levels of critical research gases and replace cylinders as needed.
• Respond to RF helpdesk tickets in a timely manner.

Freezer Monitoring, Preventative Maintenance, and Emergency Response

• Monitor Aegis system and respond to freezer outages following established procedures and protocols.
• Perform periodic freezer defrosts, filter cleanings, and other preventative maintenance on cold units and ice machines.
• Assist with emergency response during work hours under the direction of the Ops Manager and/or Assistant Facilities manager.
• Participate in 24/7 on-call rotation for emergency response to freezer failures and other urgent equipment issues

Space Planning and Equipment Management

• Support space allocation and planning activities.
• Assist with lab expansions, contractions, and relocations.
• Help coordinate lab setup for new faculty recruits.
• Assist in the relocation of existing large lab equipment.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance on centrifuges, shakers, incubators and other shared equipment managed by the service center. 

Shared Lab Consumables Management

• Perform periodic inventory on consumable and other support material in washrooms.
• Place orders for supplies and materials using the BENS financial system.
• Stock lab consumables in washrooms as needed.

Position is contingent upon funding

Qualifications

Required

Associate of Science and 2 to 3 years of experience in experience in lab operations, facilities management or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

· Knowledge of laboratory equipment, infrastructure, and safety requirements.

·  Must be able to occasionally lift up to 50lbs as well as push, pull, and maneuver heavy items such as compressed gas cylinders and self-pressurizing gas dewars.

· Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.

· Ability to respond to emergencies and work outside normal business hours through participation in the on-call rotation.

· Knowledge of regulatory requirements for research laboratories.

Preferred

·        Experience in an academic research environment.

·        Experience with lab relocations and space planning.

·        Familiarity with maintenance and repair of scientific equipment.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$21.76 - $24.00 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay