Biology Lab Preparator (part-time)

The Biology Lab Preparator supports the biology department at Millsaps College by preparing and maintaining laboratory equipment, materials, and specimens and ensuring that labs are prepared for faculty and student use. Major areas of responsibility include overseeing a team of student assistants, ensuring labs are prepped and ready on time, managing inventory, ordering supplies, tracking budgets and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. The Biology Lab Preparator must have a strong understanding of biological sciences, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team. This position reports to the chair of the Biology department.

This is a part-time 10-month position work from August 1 – May 31. This position works approximately 30 hours per week, on-site in Jackson, MS with regular office hours between 8:00am – 4:30pm.

Job Duties

• Ensure timely setup of all biology labs for classes
• Oversee the preparation of materials and reagents for experiments and demonstrations and prepare all lab materials needed
• Maintain detailed records for future course iterations
• Ensure safety protocols and equipment are in place, such as eyewash stations, fire extinguishers and first aid kits
• Create and maintain chemical safety data sheets
• Organize and maintain lab spaces to ensure they are clean and functional
• Hire, train and manage student workers (general assistants and TAs) including creating work schedules
• Review and approve student worker hours for payroll
• Set up specialized equipment such as biosafety hoods, incubators, and freezers
• Arrange for necessary IT support, including computers and software installations
• Facilitate maintenance of laboratory aquariums
• Perform autoclaving and dishwashing tasks
• Purchase lab supplies and procure faculty-specified items, identifying best vendors and seek cost-effective pricing for items.
• Receive items, date label and add to inventory list
• Track budgets and maintain records of Biology and HESC purchases (different funding lines) and communicate with p-card reporters regarding potential budget overages and arranging appropriate spending of any budget surplus
• Alert the chair or budget manager to large purchases and overall trends.
• Oversee the organization and cleanliness of shared spaces (stockroom, core facilities, and shared classrooms) including submitting maintenance orders and housekeeping requests
• Provide administrative and event planning support for the Biology department as needed
• Coordinate with other departments for shared resources and facilities

• Educational background in biology; Associates or Bachelor’s degree in biology or a relevant laboratory science preferred
• 1-3 years of experience managing lab setups. Previous supervisory experience preferred
• Highly organized, creative problem-solver who takes initiative
• Ability to follow directions and complete tasks accurately as well as accept supervisory input and constructive criticism
• Proven attention to detail with the ability to perform tasks accurately and consistently, ensuring the integrity of experiments and data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work well in team with a broad range people and to work independently as needed
• Professional experience with MS Office suite
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies and adapt to varying technological environments

Interested candidates should email a copy of their resume and a letter of interest to [email protected]. No phone calls please.