Description
Provide hands-on instruction in undergraduate chemistry laboratories, emphasizing safe experimental technique, data analysis, and the chemical and physical properties of substances. Prepare labs and materials, supervise and assess student work, maintain instruments and supplies, and enforce all safety and compliance standards. Coordinate multi-section lab operations, support course alignment with lectures, and contribute to continuous improvement of laboratory curriculum.
- • Prepare and deliver pre-lab lectures, briefings, and demonstrations on experimental procedures, safety, and core concepts.
- • Supervise students’ laboratory work and provide real-time guidance and troubleshooting.
- • Evaluate and grade lab notebooks, reports, pre-lab and post-lab assignments, and practical skills.
- • Proctor and grade lab practicals and quizzes; assist with course examinations as needed.
- • Maintain accurate attendance, grades, safety training, and other required records.
- • Develop and update laboratory manuals, handouts, rubrics, and online materials.
- • Hold regular office hours and provide individual or group help on experiments and data analysis.
- • Plan, assess, and revise laboratory curricula, experiments, and instructional methods.
- • Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise teaching assistants and peer mentors.
- • Stay current with laboratory pedagogy, chemical safety standards, and instrumentation.
- • Lead discussions on experimental design, error analysis, and interpretation of results.
- • Collect and analyze course assessment data to improve lab learning outcomes and share findings with colleagues.
- • Advise students on lab skills, course progress, and academic resources; refer to tutoring or advising as appropriate.
- • Collaborate with course instructors to align labs with lectures and coordinate experiment timelines.
- • Serve on departmental laboratory, curriculum, and safety committees.
- • Prepare internal requests or assist with proposals for laboratory equipment and instructional improvements.
- • Support recruitment, orientation, and outreach events for prospective and current students.
- • Prepare and submit required instructional and safety compliance reports.
- • Coordinate multi-section laboratory operations, including scheduling, section assignments, and TA coverage.
- • Advise or support student chemistry clubs and outreach activities.
- • Curate pre-lab readings, videos, and reference materials for outside preparation.
- • Participate in campus and community science events and demonstrations.
- • Liaise with Environmental Health & Safety to ensure compliance with chemical hygiene, waste, and OSHA regulations.
- • Establish, teach, and monitor strict compliance with chemical hygiene, PPE, and equipment safety rules.
- • Select, order, prepare, and maintain chemicals, reagents, specimens, glassware, and laboratory equipment.
- • Calibrate, operate, and troubleshoot common laboratory instruments; coordinate repairs and preventive maintenance.
- • Manage chemical inventory, labels, SDS files, and hazardous waste segregation and disposal.
- • Write letters of recommendation for students and teaching assistants.
- • Set up and break down laboratory stations; clean facilities and ensure rooms are lab-ready after each session.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
