Jobs

Academic Lab Manager II - Department of Biology 29468 Description 

The Department of Biology in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Academic Lab Manager II.

About the Opportunity

The incumbent provides support for the new inquiry lab series that incorporates real-world cutting-edge research into the undergraduate classroom. Duties include assisting the research and teaching faculty with design and development of laboratory activities, maintaining equipment, ordering and keeping inventory of supplies, interacting with faculty, staff and students to assure the smooth and efficient operation of the laboratories, and training and supervising graduate teaching assistants. The incumbent will also have independent oversight and management of BIOL 222L sections.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week 
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

Laboratory Management

• Support and participate in the operations of all inquiry labs including, BIOL 119L, BIOL 120L, BIOL 222L, BIOL and 323L. Responsible for maintaining inventory and ordering supplies and assisting faculty, staff and students to assure the smooth and efficient operation of the laboratories. If necessary, pick up and transport supplies to laboratory.
• Train, supervise, and provide support for graduate teaching assistants per semester in lab procedures to teach inquiry labs.  Attend and prepare materials for the preparatory sessions and train the graduate teaching assistants on the laboratory activities.  Preparatory sessions are scheduled each semester at the discretion of the laboratory supervisor/coordinator. Offer suggestions on specific experiments and instruct novice and returning GTA’s.
• Preparing the graduate teaching assistants’ teaching schedule and assignments each semester.
• Train and supervise personnel, including graduate teaching assistants and work-study students, in proper handling and storage procedures for chemicals, solutions, supplies and equipment. Oversee graduate teaching assistant and student activity during lab sessions by rotating through the labs.
• Assure that adequate quantities of supplies and solutions are provided. Ensure graduate teaching assistants follow and enforce course policies, and work with laboratory supervisor/coordinator to update and revise polices when the need arises. 
• In collaboration with the faculty laboratory coordinator, evaluate each graduate teaching assistant’s effectiveness and instructional skills.  Report to supervisor/coordinator regarding graduate teaching assistants’ abilities to meet course learning goals and objectives.  Evaluate the graduate teaching assistant’s performance for potential reappointment. 
• Prepare solutions and media (liquid and plates), order live organisms, (propagate seeds) to be utilized for experiments and at times to assume the care and maintenance of the same.  Maintain stocks and live cultures of bacteria, competent cells and plasmids.  Isolate, purify and separate macromolecules and amplify DNA via PCR. Maintain electrophoresis apparatus and gel imaging system. Inoculate overnight cultures and sub-culture microorganisms to achieve an appropriate optical density.  There are approximately 12 sections of BIOL 222L. 
• Mentor students in the inquiry labs in regard to the organisms they are using when designing their research experiments.  Mentor students in the safe use of the chemicals and solutions they are using/making along with the proper method(s) of disposal of such when the experiment is completed. 
• Acquire all supplies in a timely manner for them to begin their experiments once they are approved.  
• Maintain laboratory course eCampus pages as requested by the instructor or record.  Troubleshoot and resolve problems with course pages, including managing grades online, posting documents, setting up links to assignment submission dropbox, assuring proper functioning of quizzes, etc.  
• Maintain laboratory computers and ensure they are appropriately updated and functional for computational labs.  Troubleshoot computer issues and work with campus and departmental IT to solve problems.
• Solve problems associated with specific experiments.  Help revise instructional materials.
• Conduct literature reviews to identify, design, develop, and test new inquiry lab themes.  Compile documentation for procedures and course implementation.  Make recommendations to course supervisor/coordinator regarding setups, equipment, curriculum, and procedures.  Independently and proactively evaluate new experiments to determine their feasibility with consideration to enrollment, time constraints, costs, etc.  Develop and design additional instructional material as necessary.
• Assist with preparation of written protocols and video walk-throughs for new experiments. Make necessary changes to existing protocols to clarify directions.  
• Maintain excellent housekeeping in the inquiry lab courses; ensure equipment is continually operational and calibrated. Train and supervises graduate teaching assistants and students on the proper use of this equipment. Arrange for the repair or surplus of equipment. Maintain clean and safe work surfaces in all teaching labs and prep rooms.  Clean and sterilize glassware and instruments and other materials using sterile techniques.  Operate autoclave and other lab equipment.  Collect and properly dispose of lab waste as mandated by Federal, State and University regulations.

Teaching/Programming:

• Directly and independently oversee the instruction and delivery of 1-2 sections of the seond-year inquiry lab each semester. Train, supervise, and provide direct support for graduate teaching assistants per semester in lab procedures to teach inquiry labs.  Attend and prepare materials for the preparatory sessions and train the graduate teaching assistants on the laboratory activities.  Preparatory sessions are scheduled each semester at the discretion of the laboratory supervisor/coordinator. Offer suggestions on specific experiments and instruct novice and returning GTA’s. Preparing the graduate teaching assistants’ teaching schedule and assignments each semester.
• Provide backup for the ALM3 Laboratory Manager for inquiry labs if required.

Other duties as assigned.

• Master’s Degree in Biology, Life Sciences, or related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience involving:
  • Experience in ecology, evolutionary, cell and molecular, animal, or plant biology-based labs.  
  • Experience with the scientific method, including development of hypotheses, experimental design, and data interpretation.
  • Supervisory experience (Preferred).
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to operate and repair lab equipment (troubleshoot), develop new and make changes to existing lab procedures (when needed), conceive new experiments and improve old experiments to illustrate biological concepts.
• Demonstrated excellent computer skills (primarily MS Office Suite-emphasis in Excel)
• Demonstrated excellent organization skills to meet experiment schedules.
• Ability to effectively supervise.
• Knowledge of OSHA rules and regulations that pertain to Chemicals and Safety.
• Demonstrated ability to mix reagents, solutions and buffers for use in experiments in the teaching facilities.  
• Demonstrated ability of proper chemical storage, handling and removal.
• Demonstrated knowledge of a strong scientific background for formulating and performing experiments.
• Knowledge of bacterial culture including knowledge of aseptic techniques, autoclaving and media preparation.  
• Knowledge of stress and/or illness in plants, animals and microorganisms used in experiments in the teaching facilities and ability to take corrective measures when necessary.  
• Ability to teach laboratory sections in the laboratory facilities in the absence of the graduate teaching assistant due to emergency or illness, therefore skills in student instruction are necessary.  
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to train and supervise teaching assistants and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and resolve problems that may arise in lab experiments or student and TA situations.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task.
• Demonstrated ability to make good decisions in emergency situations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of lab safety procedures.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including weekly evening meetings and several weekends per semester.   

Requirements

Physical Demands & Physical Coordination

• Maneuvering and changing Carbon Dioxide tanks in the Loading Dock cage (above ground Level); being able to use a pipe wrench

About WVU

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.  

Click here to apply!

(Hybrid) Student Success Advisor - Department of Biology 29324 

Description

About the Opportunity

This position will work effectively with the Chair, Office Administrator, Student Success Coordinator, Faculty and Staff, and other academic advisors to recruit, advise, and retain undergraduate students within the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Department of biology. The Student Success Advisor will be responsible for ensuring that students are equipped with enough information to matriculate through the higher education system in general and the department. This position will aid in the total development of students in Biology and Pre-medical Biology majors to higher education system in general and the department.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week 
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Advising Responsibilities

• Provide advising and support to assigned students as the “advisor of contact”, paying particular attention to those who are at risk in their academic progress. 
• Provide timely and effective academic advice to assist students with selecting, matriculating to, and completing baccalaureate and professional degrees.
• Document all interactions with students in Degree Works.
• Coordinate with Career Services and central student services to assist students in identifying career pathways and building a professional profile for eventual placement.
• Develop and prepare a four- or five-year academic plan for each advisee and records plan in the degree audit system (i.e. DegreeWorks). Track and monitor persistence and completion in accordance with academic plan and revise when necessary. 
• Coordinate communications for those students who are on probation. 
• Employ a combination of appreciative, developmental, intrusive, and prescriptive academic advising to assist students in persistence and completion of degree. 
• Apply the WVU Undergraduate Catalog College policies and procedures for the purpose of assisting students matriculating to degree programs, academic majors and academic minors. 
• Use student information systems (i.e. Banner and Navigate) to track and monitor academic history and in-progress work. 
• Conduct outreach through Navigate to students who are identified as at-risk during early alert or midterm grade reporting processes and makes referrals to academic, career, and other support services. 
• Provide guidance to students submitting appeals for academic and federal financial aid suspensions, which includes creating an academic success plan in Degree Works. 
• Assist students with the transient approval process by reviewing course equivalencies and matching WVU courses with courses offered by the transient institution. 
• Work with student information systems such as STAR/BANNER, Navigate and Degree Works.
• Work to meet with incoming first-time freshmen and first-time transfer students in Biology and Pre-Medical Biology during NSO in January and in the summer.
• Perform 90 credit checks every semester for all majors, document result in Degree Works and communicate those results to students.
• This advisor supports up to 275 students during the academic year.

Programming, Research and Development, Assessment and Retention

• Instruct 1-3 sections of BIOL 191, First-Year Seminar.
• Participate in events sponsored by the unit, which may include on campus recruiting, prospective student tours, new student orientation, academic academies, and commencement.
• Attend and assist with a limited number of weekend recruitment events.
• Assess student advising concerns and make referrals to other University representatives/units. 
• Reach out to university colleges and departments on advising issues and training.
• Serve on committees for revising policies and procedures that directly affect academic advising.

Data Management

• In coordination with the Senior Advisor, track attendance and student records, providing analysis of NSO student metrics at the request of the Chair of Biology, and/or the ECAS Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. 
• Gather statistical information and assist in undergraduate report preparation.
• Review GPAs each semester and establish class standing. Verify Biology requirements are completed.  

Other duties as assigned

• MA or MS in Biology, Education, or closely related field.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience involving:
  • Student advising
  • Academic or student support services
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to learn STAR/BANNER system and ability to use it on a daily basis
• Ability to present academic programs to large groups and make recommendations regarding course work and career planning
• Demonstrated ability to measure and assess student's academic needs
• Demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in resolving conflict
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Demonstrated program development skills
• Demonstrated ability to speak in front of large groups and present materials
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Demonstrated ability to deal with confidential matters in a tactful, diplomatic manner
• Ability to analyze and process information into report format
• Demonstrated ability to organize, set priorities, and complete projects effectively

• Resume

About WVU 

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.