Lab Manager

Department

PSD Chemistry: Alivisatos Group

About the Department

One of the first departments founded at the University of Chicago was the Department of Chemistry. Since its inception, the Department of Chemistry has embodied the University's central mission of excellence in both research and teaching. The University of Chicago has been the recipient of more than 73 Nobel Prize recipients, 15 of which came from the Department of Chemistry. Our current faculty has considerable strength in inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as in interdisciplinary research that delves into biology, physics, and materials science.

The Department is a community of over 500, including faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars and staff. Our academic support group operates the graduate and undergraduate educational programs for the department, including 60 undergraduate Chemistry majors and nearly 300 graduate students. Close student-faculty interactions have been a hallmark of our department for over a century. These have fostered a unique intellectual environment that both ensures superb graduate education and continues to produce important and exciting scientific discoveries.

Job Summary

The Chemistry department is currently looking for a highly motivated, experienced lead administrative staff member to Prof. Paul Alivisatos’s Research Laboratory at the University of Chicago. Prof. Alivisatos research concerns the structural, thermodynamic, optical, and electrical properties of colloidal inorganic nanocrystals. This position provides high-level administrative and project management support while performing a diverse range of routine and specialized tasks related to grants, personnel, finances, student support and mentorship, laboratory safety and compliance, communication, and reporting. A familiarity with the issues and science behind nanocrystals would be helpful but is not necessary.

In this exciting role, the Lab Manager will serve an integral function within the lab to ensure smooth operation of day-to-day activities and support various elements of program planning and delivery, including managing information systems, ensuring continual and efficient information flow among program participants, budget development and tracking for various project funders.

Responsibilities

• Provides high-level administrative and project management support to the research group, ensuring that all aspects of the research program are executed through careful management of deadlines and personnel.
• Organizes and manages laboratory operations as a delegate of Professor Alivisatos, ensuring that there is consistent communication, direction, and coordination of all staff, students and postdocs contributing to the laboratory.
• Independently solves complex problems in collaboration with the appropriate administrative offices including matters involving student affairs, safety protocols, procurement, and budgeting.
• Coordinates the execution of critical high-level communications including drafting letters of recommendation and coordinating with the support staff within the President’s office to ensure they are submitted in a timely manner.
• Supervises a business administrator to ensure that scheduling, purchases, reimbursements, and booking travel arrangements for members of the laboratory are executed correctly and in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the PI to plan and write grants to obtain additional funding.
• Manage program deliverables (e.g., manuscript submissions and progress reports); guide the development of project scopes and schedules.
• Serves as a liaison to the appropriate department administrator regarding administrative issues such as finances, academic personnel, and communications.
• Provides guidance, direction and support to students and postdocs in the laboratory, helping to set the tone to ensure the environment in the laboratory is productive and collaborative and working as a delegate of Prof. Alivisatos to help resolve any concerns.
• Implement strict adherence to environment, safety, and health (ES&H) policies during all experimental operations (including chemical inventory, chemical hazards, and chemical waste disposal SOPs, protocols, and policies).
• Provides supplementary mentorship (either formally or informally) to staff or students as needed, including advice and guidance on techniques, as well as consultation on project work. Directs lab members to appropriate resources and required trainings as needed.
• Maintains a significant presence in the lab every day, modelling a strong collaborative approach built on teamwork and regular in-person engagement.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of University protocols, policies, processes, and technology platforms; fosters a culture of continuous improvement and compliance.
• Creates and executes a structured onboarding program for new members of the research group, ensuring they are set up to succeed and briefed on all relevant protocols within the laboratory.
• Oversees laboratory safety, ensuring all personnel are responsive to and following appropriate protocols, processes, and guidance in collaboration with the Office of Research Safety.
• Oversee execution and delivery of procurement services including developing procurement documents, justifications, appropriate approvals on major procurements, the management of payment schedules, invoices.
• Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers, and staff for committee work or information.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:   

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:       

• Experience in an academic environment.
• Experience overseeing projects, working with multiple stakeholders to ensure deadlines are met.
• Experience providing guidance and mentorship to students.
• Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach.
• Grant writing and grant management experience.
• Experience with laboratory safety protocols.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent strategic planning, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proactive, self-motivated, results-oriented leader who anticipates organizational needs.
• Demonstrated ability to influence others and collaborate with senior leadership, colleagues, and constituents.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Thoughtful decision-making and the discretion to handle confidential information.
• Commitment to high-quality service and teamwork.
• Commitment to the values and principles of the University of Chicago.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$90,000.00 - $115,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.