DESCRIPTION

UC San Diego, located in La Jolla, in the San Diego Metropolitan area, enrolls over 35,000 students and is one of the University of California’s 10 campuses. UC San Diego has earned recognition as one of the world’s premier research universities and one of the top-10 public universities in the nation. UC San Diego is a student-centered, research-focused, service-oriented public institution, recognized as one of the top 15 research universities worldwide. The University fosters a culture of collaboration that sparks innovative discoveries that advance society and drive economic impact.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is one of the largest and most complex departments on campus. Our Department combines research on the most consequential and revelatory scientific areas with education aimed at building our future leaders and scientists. The department is comprised of 65 ladder rank faculty, and additional 12-15 in various instructional and ~150 in academic research titles and postdoctoral scholars. The above academic community presents a plethora of diverse complex issues from Health Sciences Compensation Program agreements to adjuncts from national laboratories sharing negotiated employee patent agreements. The department is also comprised of 70 career staff; ~60 temporary or student staff, and ~300 Master’s and Ph.D. students. Undergraduate students majoring in chemistry number greater than 1200, and total undergraduate and graduate annual course enrollments exceed 24,500. The department currently has more than 180 awards from federal, state and private sources for approximately $23 million per annum in extramural funding and $49 million in total annual expenditures.

Under supervision of the Chief Operating Officer, Incumbent will provide administrative and managerial support to the Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories (10 - 15 course/quarter, 1600 students/quarter and summer session I).

Responsibilities include: Managing and supervising laboratory assistants; consulting with faculty regarding changes and program enhancements; independently testing and recommending program enhancements; forecasting, estimating, controlling, reporting and monitoring budgets for laboratory classes of approximately $500,000 annually; recommending design modifications of laboratory facilities and coordinating repairs; developing new laboratory experiments based on latest research and faculty input; purchasing and controlling equipment and supplies; ensuring compliance with safety regulations and coordinating response to emergencies, providing support for students with special needs. Perform other duties as assigned.

• On-site Monday - Friday required. Odd hours required during school year depending on class schedules. Must work around poisonous, carcinogenic, and explosive substances constantly.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience in managerial, administrative, and supervisory practices and principles; strong and creative organization, analytic and decision-making skills. Proven ability to develop innovative approaches, techniques and procedures to provide more efficient and responsive services. Demonstrated experience in scheduling, reassigning workloads and resources, reassessing priorities in a dynamic environment. Demonstrated experience in planning, prioritizing and delegating in a large complex facility. Solid leadership skills associated with planning work assignments, establishing priorities and scheduling instructional space.

• Demonstrated advanced experience in the use of lab instruments such as: FPLC, high-speed and ultra-centrifuges UV and Vis-spectrophotometer, stereo and compact microscopes, incubator, walk-in environmental chamber, Schlenk lines, compressed gases, autoclave, dishwasher, Willingness and ability to quickly learn new types of equipment whenever new experiments are added. Ability to train technical staff, students, and IAs in the proper use of all lab instruments. Strong knowledge of a limited variety of specialized laboratory equipment.

• Working knowledge of accounting principles, business math, bookkeeping for budget planning and analysis. Knowledge and ability to develop budgets for individual lab courses and control and monitor expenses.

• Demonstrated ability to represent detailed information, a position, plan of action, and evaluation or interpretation clearly and professionally. Advanced negotiation and decision making skills, with the ability and expertise to articulate, present, clarify, and resolve issues and conflicts and recommend actions for attainable goals. Advanced knowledge of research discipline or instructional design to collaborate effectively with faculty and function as a resource to research and instructional associates.

• Focus of knowledge and skills dependent on area of specialty (laboratory research or instructional / experimental design). Deep and broad knowledge in highly specialized fields and techniques of modern chemistry that encompass all curricular areas of focus, including organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, physical and analytical chemistry.

• Solid interpersonal communication skills to effectively supervise staff. Demonstrated ability to supervise professional staff, fostering innovation, service and accountability, and to give clear instructions and guidelines. Ability to delegate and assign tasks, monitor production and quality of work, set clear and reasonable performance standards, develop staff to their highest potential, and cultivate high staff morale.

• Solid interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty and staff. Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate with faculty, students, and staff using tact, diplomacy and discretion.

• Knowledge/understanding and at least some experience with Safety Data Sheets, hazard communication and Injury and Illness Prevention Program. Familiarity with a Chemical Hygiene Plan addressing safety precautions including appropriate clothing and shoes, safe handling of chemicals, use of protective items. Willingness and ability to keep safety training current and consistent with research involvement. Knowledge of necessary lab safety procedures and requirements, as well as chemical disposal guidelines.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with ability to keep track of numerous concurrent courses, ability to change direction with little or no notice, and the ability to work under intense faculty and/or administrative pressure, with frequent interruptions and changing priorities

• Highly specific knowledge and expertise associated with conducting and reporting on scientific research experiments and findings. Advanced knowledge of a variety of experimental techniques related to organic, inorganic, physical or analytical chemistry. Ability to demonstrate and train these techniques in an instructional setting.

• Strong abilities to conduct and report on scientific experiments and findings. Demonstrated ability to read, comprehend, and analyze scientific literature and to adapt research techniques for instructional labs.

• Demonstrated skills and ability to work independently, under deadlines, frequent interruptions and shifting priorities, using good judgment; with the acumen to identify those issues which require consultation at a higher level.

• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.

• Skill, knowledge, and ability with Windows OS and a variety of standard business software including system and networking software, Microsoft Office suite, email, and a variety of web-based programs, browsers. Knowledge of the campus Link family of applications preferred. Willingness and ability to update and increase skills as needed to meet the goals of the unit and the department.

• Knowledge of data acquisition and analysis techniques.

• Willingness and demonstrated ability to embrace and consistently uphold the principles of community for a collaborative work environment.

• Ability to communicate effectively one-on-one or in group settings, taking into account differences in social, cultural, professional, and educational backgrounds.

• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of ensuring an equitable, inclusive, and diverse working environment, with the ability to work as a part of a diverse and collaborative team. Demonstrated competency and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Advanced knowledge of department's undergraduate instructional labs curriculum with the ability to recognize overlaps and/or gaps in offered methods and recommend solutions to faculty/instructors.

• Proven ability to take new research ideas from Faculty/Instructors and independently test and adapt experiments to meet the capabilities of undergraduate students during allotted time restraints.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Background Check required.