Job Description

Job Summary
The Molecular Biosciences Lab Coordinator works under minimal supervision with significant autonomy and professional judgment to manage laboratory operations supporting molecular biosciences instruction, including biotechnology, microbiology, cell biology, and genetics, at Salt Lake Community College. As the department's recognized subject matter expert in molecular biosciences laboratory operations, this position carries primary responsibility for the strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation of laboratory environments supporting these instructional areas, ensuring they are safe, well-maintained, properly supplied, and instructionally ready. This includes de facto management of procurement, budgeting, inventory, equipment maintenance, and safety compliance with minimal oversight, while formal budget approval ultimately rests with the Associate Dean.

The Coordinator manages weekly setup and takedown for BIOL 2065 (Microbiology Lab) and provides operational support for additional laboratory courses, including biotechnology (BTEC) courses, BIOL 2035 (Genetics Lab), and BIOL 2025 (Cell Biology Lab). Across all laboratories they support, the Coordinator is responsible for managing supplies, equipment, shared inventory, laboratory cleanliness, safety protocols, and logistical coordination required to support consistent and high-quality laboratory instruction.

This position works closely with faculty course leads to provide essential expertise for curriculum implementation, recommend substantive improvements to laboratory objectives and procedures, maintain consistency across sections, and lead continuous improvement of laboratory instruction. The coordinator demonstrates creativity and innovation in solving complex laboratory problems and implements strategic improvements that enhance program quality and student success, while working within the curriculum framework established by faculty.

This position serves as a key bridge between the Biology and Biotechnology programs, providing coordinated support across both areas and ensuring alignment of laboratory operations, budgeting, and resources to serve the instructional needs of both programs.

While formal budget approval and supervisory authority ultimately rest with the Associate Dean, this position exercises significant operational and budgetary management with minimal oversight, including procurement decisions, expenditure tracking, budget forecasting, and resource allocation across multiple laboratory sections. The coordinator independently manages expenditures across multiple funding streams, including student lab fee accounts for Biology and Biotechnology courses, the Biotechnology E&G budget, and the StudentFactured operational account. The coordinator provides co-leadership in the hiring, training, mentoring, and scheduling of lab instructors and aides, and contributes data-driven recommendations to support departmental planning and resource optimization.

This position is primarily based at the Jordan Campus and serves a cross-departmental role supporting broader laboratory success, including monitoring supply levels, maintaining shared stockrooms, and receiving laboratory shipments for other laboratories as needed. The coordinator oversees StudentFactured, a production operation in which a part-time staff member produces consumable laboratory supplies for use across Biology department courses. The coordinator also plays a key role in School of Science, Mathematics, and Engineering (SME) initiatives, including strategic planning and logistical support for the undergraduate research conference (UP3RC) each semester.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities & Knowledge Skills & Abilities
Essential Duties

Laboratory Management and Safety: Manage weekly setup, maintenance, and takedown of BIOL 2065 (Microbiology Lab) and provide operational support for BTEC courses, BIOL 2035 (Genetics Lab), and BIOL 2025 (Cell Biology Lab). Develop and enforce safety protocols, lead operational planning for laboratory improvements, and implement preventative maintenance programs for specialized equipment.
Budget, Inventory, and Procurement Management: Exercise de facto budget management across multiple funding streams with minimal oversight. Oversee StudentFactured operations, supervising a part-time staff member producing consumable laboratory supplies. Manage procurement, inventory, expenditure tracking, and budget forecasting across all supported laboratories.
Instructional and Curriculum Support: Provide essential expertise to faculty course leads and lead lab-level implementation of approved curriculum updates across all supported courses. Serve as a key bridge between the Biology and Biotechnology programs, coordinating laboratory operations, budgeting, and resources across both programs.
Personnel, Teaching, and Student Support: Lead recruiting, hiring, training, mentoring, and scheduling of adjunct lab instructors, laboratory aides, and student workers. Teach one laboratory section of BIOL 2065 or BIOL 1615 each semester.
Research and SME Support: Assist with laboratory and logistical support for SME initiatives, including the undergraduate research conference (UP3RC), and collaborate with other lab coordinators and the lab manager on department-wide initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Laboratory Operations and Technical Expertise
Demonstrated expertise in molecular biosciences laboratory techniques, protocols, and instructional practices.
Ability to independently manage laboratory setup, preparation, and takedown for shared-resource laboratories.
Advanced knowledge of laboratory safety practices, OSHA regulations, and SLCC Risk Management policies.
Expertise in chemical, biological, and hazardous material handling, storage, and disposal.
Experience maintaining laboratory cleanliness, organization, and preventative maintenance of laboratory equipment.
Ability to oversee preparation, storage, and distribution of laboratory consumables, including student-manufactured materials.
Budget, Inventory, and Resource Management
Demonstrated experience managing laboratory budgets, procurement, and inventory systems with minimal supervision.
Ability to independently track expenditures, forecast resource needs, and implement cost-effective purchasing strategies.
Experience coordinating supply ordering and equipment support across multiple laboratory courses and spaces.
Ability to manage vendor relationships and coordinate shipping and receiving of laboratory materials and equipment.
Personnel and Instructional Support
Experience leading recruiting, hiring, training, mentoring, and scheduling of adjunct lab instructors, laboratory aides, and student workers.
Ability to provide hands-on technical and instructional support to instructors working in molecular biosciences laboratory environments.
Strong collaborative skills for working with faculty course leads to maintain consistency across laboratory sections.
Ability to lead curriculum changes through lab-level implementation, documentation, and instructor support.
Professional Skills
Advanced communication and leadership skills for coordinating with diverse stakeholders, leading teams, and influencing departmental operations across both Biology and Biotechnology programs.
Strategic thinking and autonomous decision-making capability, including planning for program growth and supporting broader SLCC and SME goals.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other lab coordinators and the lab manager on department-wide projects and resource optimization.
Ability to exercise independent judgment in addressing operational, safety, and instructional challenges.
Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people with a variety of abilities and backgrounds, to maintain good working relationships across the College.
Ability to work with all groups from a variety of academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, and with community college students, faculty, and staff, including those with disabilities.
Minimum qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biosciences, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biology, or a closely related field.
Two (2) to five (5) years of experience supporting microbiology, molecular biology, or biotechnology laboratory instruction.
Demonstrated experience with laboratory safety, procurement, inventory control, and budget management.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in a related scientific field.
Two (2) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in laboratory coordination, laboratory management, or instructional laboratory support.
Experience supervising laboratory personnel and student workers.
Experience supporting undergraduate research or student research showcases.