Assistant Director of Lab Operations Position Available In Norfolk, Massachusetts

Assistant Director of Lab Operations
Needham, MA 02492

Posted:

06/16/2025

Deadline:

Open until filled

Employment:

Full-time

Pay:

Depends upon skills and experience

Department:

Academic Affairs:

Lab

Experience:

Intermediate
Job Description

NORMAL WORK HOURS

​40​ hours per week, ​Monday-Friday​

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR

​Director of Laboratory and Fabrication Operations​

OTHERS WHO MAY ASSIGN WORK

​ Provost; Faculty teaching in material science, chemistry or environmental courses

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Lab Operations plays a vital role in supporting Olin College’s hands-on, project-based learning by managing and coordinating laboratory facilities and resources for undergraduate courses in biology, materials science, environmental science, and applied chemistry. With expertise in materials science and/or analytical chemistry, the Assistant Director holds primary responsibility for supporting curriculum and student learning in the materials science and chemistry labs and serves as Olin’s Chemical Hygiene Officer.
Olin is in the early stages of developing a multi-year plan for reimagining these laboratory spaces, and the Assistant Director will be a primary contributor—working alongside the Director of Laboratory and Fabrication Operations, faculty, and students—in shaping and implementing this new vision.
Collaborating closely with faculty and other staff supporting hands-on learning spaces, this role ensures the efficient scheduling, maintenance, and daily on-site management of laboratories and project studios. The Assistant Director also provides training for lab and course assistants and students on the use of specialized equipment, oversees the maintenance and operation of key laboratory instrumentation, and fosters a safe, productive, and empowering learning environment. This role builds student engagement and creates a culture of stewardship for Olin’s community spaces and resources.
In addition to supporting academic courses, the Assistant Director offers technical guidance for research projects, student clubs, and co-curricular activities. Key responsibilities include enforcing rigorous safety standards, managing chemical waste, coordinating with Facilities Services on repairs and upkeep, managing laboratory supplies, supervising the biology laboratory manager, and supporting laboratory budgets in partnership with the Director of Laboratory and Fabrication Operations.
This is a full-year, in-person/on-campus position based in Needham, MA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Program Support
Manage daily operations of Olin’s laboratory spaces, providing on-site guidance and supervision to laboratory staff to ensure smooth and efficient functioning.
Collaborate closely with teaching faculty to coordinate the scheduling and shared use of laboratory spaces across multiple undergraduate courses.
Develop, implement, and deliver training protocols for course assistants and undergraduate students, providing hands-on instruction on a variety of laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
Assume primary responsibility for the management, setup, operation, and maintenance of key laboratory equipment, supporting faculty-led courses and student-driven projects.
Supervise students working in laboratory and project studio environments, fostering a safe, productive, and empowering learning experience. Hire, train, and manage student lab assistants, with a focus on developing student skills and safety awareness.
Support students, staff, and faculty in research projects, offering technical and scientific guidance, and actively engaging with student project teams.
Provide support to Olin’s materials science and chemistry academic programs by assisting with the preparation, organization, and operation of laboratory- and project-based undergraduate courses in materials science, environmental science, and applied chemistry.
Participate as an integral member of the faculty, staff, and student team responsible for developing a five-year plan to overhaul the chemistry and materials science laboratory spaces to better align with Olin’s evolving curriculum and student needs.
Other relevant duties as assigned by the Director of Laboratory and Fabrication Operations.
Laboratory Management
Oversee all science laboratory facilities, maintaining a safe, functional, and well-organized learning environment. Promote safety awareness and coordinate with Facilities Services for facility upkeep and equipment repairs.
Serve as Olin’s Chemical Hygiene Officer, enforcing standard laboratory safety practices, including the proper handling and disposal of chemicals and hazardous waste.
Order and manage laboratory supplies and materials in collaboration with teaching faculty, including soliciting quotes for new equipment and coordinating the disposal of obsolete or nonfunctional items.
Oversee the procurement, maintenance, and operation of laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and laboratory computers, in coordination with the Director of Laboratory and Fabrication Operations.
Support the management of the laboratory budget under the supervision of the Director of Laboratory and Fabrication Operations, collaborating with teaching faculty to ensure the efficient and strategic use of resources to support academic and project needs
Foster a culture of responsible, engaged stewardship among students, encouraging care for Olin’s community spaces, equipment, and shared resources.
Provide support and supervision to the biology laboratory manager, offering guidance and oversight to ensure smooth, safe, and effective laboratory operations.
Other relevant duties as assigned by the Director of Laboratory and Fabrication Operations.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree required; a master’s degree in materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field is preferred.
3-5 years of experience working in a laboratory environment.
Extensive and diverse professional experience in materials science and engineering, with expertise across ceramics, metals, polymers, and electronic materials.
Comprehensive knowledge of materials characterization and processing equipment and techniques, including mechanical testers, impact testers, hardness testers, scanning electron microscope (SEM), optical microscopes, metallographic sample preparation equipment, thermal analyzers, FTIR, and X-ray diffractometers.
Proficiency in maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing laboratory equipment, including diagnosing and resolving technical issues independently.
Proven ability to prioritize and uphold rigorous safety standards in laboratory environments.
Strong interpersonal, presentation, and written communication skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to equity, access, and belonging.
Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities in a dynamic setting.
Frequently required to stand, walk, bend, reach above shoulder level, use a keyboard/mouse, perform light lifting (up to 20 lbs.), demonstrate hand dexterity and simple grasping, and conduct light pushing/pulling (up to 20 lbs.). Also required to work around machinery with exposure to temperature or humidity changes.
Occasionally required to sit, crouch/squat, climb, perform power grasping, lift heavy objects (over 50 lbs.), engage in heavy pushing/pulling (over 50 lbs. of force), and work in environments with exposure to dust, fumes, or gases. Company Description
Olin College of Engineering seeks employees who are passionate about working collaboratively within and outside of the Olin community to support the College’s mission and vision for the future. At Olin, we are educating the next generation of engineering innovators and shifting the definition of engineering. Not only do our students ask, “Who are we designing this for, and what are their values?” They also ask questions about the impact of their work on society.
As Olin evolves under new leadership, we seek to become a more representative and aware community, a place where everyone is a learner and where everyone is an educator. Olin will become a place where experimentation—including making and learning from mistakes—will be embraced across the institution, not just in the classroom. Collaboration is key to Olin’s curriculum and culture, and we will work intentionally to reinforce the values and culture to which we aspire. We are a community that thrives on being together; we value trust. The College supports teams to collaboratively decide how they can best do their work, and display a commitment to the community, all while providing individuals with overall work-life flexibility.
Olin College is situated on 75 acres in Needham, Massachusetts. We are approximately ten miles from Boston, one mile from the MBTA Commuter Rail train station, and approximately four miles from the Woodland Station from the MBTA Green Line. We have plenty of free parking on campus. You can find more details on our Visiting Campus page.
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From the moment you step on campus at Olin, you feel a buzz of energy and activity—and once you experience it, you want to be a part of it.
Olin College is committed to supporting an innovative, integrated learning and working environment. As a small campus, the in-person experience and cross-team collaboration is what helps build a strong, dynamic community for our students, faculty and staff. Typically, most roles at Olin College are intended to be in-person and on-campus. Certain paid positions may be eligible for flexible working arrangements, at the College’s sole discretion. Any approved remote work arrangement for pay must be performed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where Olin is registered to do business. Individual flexible and remote work options can be discussed during the interview process. Benefits
Olin College prides itself on offering to faculty and staff comprehensive benefits that provide both choice and value. These benefits are an important part of total compensation. Full-time employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week may be eligible for the following benefits: Core Benefits
Medical (three different options)
Dental
Vision
Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (company paid)
Paid Family Medical Leave
Long Term Disability (company paid)
403(b) Retirement Plan with company match
Liberal sick and vacation time and paid holidays
Free parking
Additional Benefits Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Voluntary Life Insurance
Business Travel Insurance
Supplemental 403(b) Retirement Plan
Travel Assistance Services (company paid)
Health Care Management Program
Pet Insurance
Please note that benefits are subject to change at any time.
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