About this role
Department
BSD ARC - Research Support
About the Department
The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at the University of Chicago is dedicated to supporting investigators in conducting animal research while ensuring the humane and ethical care of all laboratory animals on campus. The Research Support Team manages the ARC's day-to-day operations, with a primary focus on facilities management and investigator support.
Job Summary
The job provides specialized business support for facilities services, including preparing budgets and forecasting, ensuring safety and compliance, and performing routine maintenance. Provides support for new capital projects with limited supervision.
The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at the University of Chicago is seeking a Sr. Research Facilities Operations Coordinator to support the Hyde Park Labs (HPL) animal and core facilities. In this hands-on role, you will keep research moving by managing the glass wash and autoclave operations and coordinating the transport and delivery of supplies, materials, and samples to and from HPL and the main campus.
As the Sr. Research Facilities Operations Coordinator, you will work largely independently, planning and coordinating receiving and shipping requests and identifying ways to improve these processes at HPL and across campus. Collaborating closely with core staff and animal care staff, you will play an important part in maintaining the smooth, efficient operations that investigators and their teams rely on every day.
Responsibilities
- Plans, organizes, and directs all activities related to the receipt, storage, and transport of laboratory animal care and core supplies, samples, and equipment, maintaining inventories and distributing materials between HPL and the main campus effectively and efficiently to meet investigator needs.
- Runs and manages the glass wash program for HPL lab users, including receiving requests, collecting and returning glassware, operating and maintaining glass washing equipment, scheduling and turnaround, and managing program supplies and records.
- Inspects laboratory animal shipments and transports to HPL within required timeframes.
- Generates required documentation and maintains supply and equipment logs and records to facilitate reordering.
- Assists with the operation and maintenance of ARC transport vehicles, and transports equipment between campus facilities and to the HTRL facility at Argonne as needed.
- Transports samples and supplies to and from HPL on a scheduled and as-needed basis, ensuring items are handled, documented, and delivered in a timely manner and in accordance with applicable safety and compliance requirements.
- Works closely with the ARC Research Support Team to improve facility operations at HPL and support BSD users with their research needs.
- Leads the coordination of maintenance of facilities, grounds and/or equipment. Receives requests for facilities services from unit employees and coordinates delivery of appropriate services. Utilizes specialized skills and on-the-job experience to conduct inspections of buildings, equipment and/or surrounding grounds for deficiencies and potential safety, health, or code problems.
- Prepares written reports summarizing findings and recommends solutions. Typically coordinates package receipt and delivery; coordinates movement of equipment and materials, including ensuring proper and timely set up of employees in new office space; maintains building security, including maintaining building keys; and maintains information on building blue prints, space utilization data and equipment.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
- 4 + years of experience with shipping/receiving responsibilities.
- 2+ years of experience in an academic and /or biomedical research environment.
Licenses or Certifications:
- AALAS certification at any level strongly preferred.
Preferred Competencies
- Independence: Works effectively with minimal supervision, managing time and priorities to complete tasks accurately and on schedule.
- Technical Skills: Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel and comfortable learning new systems and software.
- Organization: Demonstrates strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including accurate recordkeeping and documentation.
- Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with faculty, graduate students, and other academic staff.
- Teamwork: Collaborates well as part of a team, building positive working relationships with core staff, animal care staff, and research users.
- Multitasking: Manages multiple projects and competing priorities at the same time while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.
Working Conditions
- This position involves a combination of mobility and hands-on work across several settings. Responsibilities include driving ARC vehicles on campus, to and from the Hyde Park Labs (HPL), and out to the HTRL facility at Argonne; operating glass washing equipment and autoclaves; and spending time in an office environment.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
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
Facilities Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
Yes
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Yes
Pay Rate Type
Hourly
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Pay Range
$28.84 - $38.46
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.