Summary: This is a full-time, 12-month lab support position at GVSU. Responsibilities include preparing materials and setting up lab exercises, maintaining multiple lab spaces, supervising student lab assistants, purchasing area-specific supplies, and supporting student and faculty research.

Primary Duties

Lab Support

• Oversee the daily operations of multiple assigned laboratory spaces, ensuring they are well-maintained and ready for use.

• Communicate area-specific facilities needs to the Lab Manager.
• Collaborate with intradepartmental faculty members and instructional coordinators to develop up-to-date laboratory preparation protocols for teaching labs, including the most efficient use of lab space for the classrooms. 
• Develop detailed Laboratory Preparation Sheets for student employees to outline materials, methods, and protocols for specific experiments and courses.
• Prepare, set out, maintain and break down required lab materials for lab courses: This may include (but not limited to): chemical and media preparation, maintenance of live cultures, care of live organisms, equipment, consumables, etc., including daily lab classroom checks for cleanliness and chemical and consumable restocking. 
• Serve as an intradepartmental resource to faculty and students concerning teaching labs and shared laboratory equipment and spaces addressing questions and concerns as they arise.
• Facilitate makeup lab exercises.
• Troubleshoot lab exercises as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the teaching labs and stockrooms. 
• Restock general supplies and consumables for use in common areas and in research labs.
• Instrument and other equipment training for intradepartmental faculty and students.  Develop SOPs to be posted by equipment for common use.
• Work with faculty and the Student Accessibility Resources office (SAR) to coordinate student accommodation requests.
• Coordinate logistics of off-campus trips associated with lab courses: transportation, equipment, scheduling, and ensuring all details are handled efficiently.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of core/shared facilities, ensuring they are clean, organized, and fully operational.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for area-specific facility usage, safety, and maintenance.
• Coordinate the scheduling, access and allocating shared facility resources to maximize utilization and support departmental needs.
• Coordinate the checkout of equipment for usage outside of labs (field, research uses, lectures, office hours, tutoring, etc.). Verify the return of materials.
• Coordinate with Science IT Specialist to determine computer usage needs in the area-specific teaching labs.

Inventory Management

• Maintain up-to-date inventories of collections, equipment, supplies, and chemicals using the Resource Management System (RMS).
• Maintain accurate records of area-specific laboratory equipment cleaning schedules, and maintenance activities.
• Monitor inventory levels and report any ordering needs to the Lab Manager. 
• Organize and maintain storage areas for easy access to supplies and equipment.
• Maintaining the department media/displays on campus.

Purchasing

• Make purchases of area-specific supplies (grocery, amazon, hardware store, etc.) and small equipment for instructional labs. Reconcile purchasing card expenses in Workday.
• Receiving and distribution of ordered resources for courses and faculty research.
• Coordinate contracts with outside vendors (Chemdraw+ Mnova, cadavers, etc.) for area-specific needs.

Laboratory Safety

• Implement and follow EH&S procedures for the safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.
• Manage, conduct, and maintain records of regular inspections of teaching lab spaces as well as hazardous waste storage areas according to EH&S policies and procedures.
• Make sure proper PPE and safety equipment is available and is in working order.
• Identify safety concerns associated with proposed laboratory procedures and communicate with the Laboratory Manager to ensure that activities align with EH&S guidelines.
• Support faculty, staff, and students on hazardous chemical and waste management, safety protocols, proper labeling, and emergency procedures.
• Provide training to staff and students on safe laboratory practices to promote a culture of safety.

Outreach

• Assist with outreach events such as the Science Olympiad, department activities, club events and/or other community outreach programs.  May affiliate with professional associations.

Student Employee Supervision

• Work with Manager to hire, train, schedule, and supervise student employees

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• B.S.
• Troubleshooting and support for scientific equipment and processes.
• Excellent organization, communication, and record-keeping skills
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive practices.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• M.S.
• Previous experience in lab supervision and/or lab instruction.
• Previous experience in ecology, and/or field work.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices
• Self-directed and motivated

GVSU COMPETENCIES

Innovator mentality ∙ Fosters inclusive and equitable community ∙ Well-being oriented ∙ Asset mindset Acts with integrity ∙ Emotionally intelligent ∙ Collaborative teamwork ∙ Empowering

Working Conditions

• Time is split between office and lab work. Some travel may be required with the ability to work weekends and nights as needed.
• Physical Demands:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours on your feet and/or more than 5 days per week. Must be able to lift 25 pounds unassisted. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.
• Normal office environment. Some travel and occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
• The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties can be performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Minimum Starting Salary: $58,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver, effective on date of hire.Benefits: The university offers an excellent comprehensive package that includes health/vision/dental plans, life insurance, retirement, sick/leave disability, tuition waiver, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness facilities. Family and child-care options on and off-campus are also available. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit

Department: The Biology Department at Grand Valley State University https://www.gvsu.edu/biology/ places an emphasis on teaching excellence using inclusive pedagogies, active scholarship with diverse learners, and equitable service to the university and community. Its 34 full-time faculty uphold the values of a liberal education while providing intensive engagement in the biological sciences. High-impact field and lab experiences and community collaboration are hallmarks of our relevant, interdisciplinary curriculum. There are numerous collaborative opportunities for faculty and students across a wide group of partners within the department, across campus and in the community.

College: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at GVSU, offering over 50 bachelor’s degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered learning community that welcomes individuals from various backgrounds and engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to offering students an accessible and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education that prepares them for meaningful careers. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.

University: Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts approximately 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students’ social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at the Community Resources page on Grand Valley State University Human Resources website.

How to Apply:

A complete application must include: (1) a cover letter addressing qualifications and your motivation to take this position (2) résumé, (3) and contact information for three professional references. The online application will allow you to attach these documents electronically, in the same file location. If you need technical assistance, email Human Resources ([email protected]).  Email questions about the position to: Dr. Joe Jacquot ([email protected]).

Application Deadline:  The review process will begin October 27, 2025. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University thereafter.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.