What are the responsibilities and job description for the Integrated Sciences Laboratory Director position at Claremont McKenna College?
Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Statement
In addition to its commitment to a harassment-free educational and working environment, the College is an equal employment opportunity employer. The College is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable state and federal laws on the matter. The College does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition or medical leave, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law. The College also prohibits the harassment of any employee on any of these bases.
Location:
Claremont, CA
Job Posting Title:
Integrated Sciences Laboratory Director
Job Details and Requirement:
BASIC FUNCTION:
The Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences of Claremont McKenna College invites applications for a full-time Integrated Sciences Laboratory Director, to begin July 1, 2025. The department comprises a wide spectrum of faculty members from the physical and life sciences. It offers an innovative and interdisciplinary program in the natural sciences. The program will be housed in the new Robert Day Sciences Center, opening in Summer 2025.
The Laboratory Director is responsible for assisting faculty with developing and implementing new introductory laboratory curricula in our integrated chemistry-biology-physics and organic chemistry courses. Specific duties include: preparation of our new teaching laboratory spaces; working with faculty to develop and update laboratory curricula; setting up, assisting with laboratory sessions, teaching laboratory sections; and assisting with the acquisition, set-up, and maintenance of laboratory instruments and other equipment. Responsibilities also include ensuring that laboratory curricula match best practices in science education and assessing the educational effectiveness of the Integrated Science laboratory curriculum.
The Laboratory Director, if holding a PhD, may be assigned to teach other departmental courses on an as-needed basis. Such teaching assignments will follow established departmental processes, require approval through the APT process and by the Board of Trustees, and will be formalized through an addendum to the individual's existing staff contract.
Candidates should submit a current CV or resume and a cover letter addressing how they are prepared to contribute to our collaborative, interdisciplinary teaching environment. The cover letter should highlight the candidate’s laboratory experience and any prior undergraduate science teaching experience, including approaches to teach, mentor, and inspire students representing a broad range of backgrounds.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Work closely with faculty to develop integrated, inquiry-based laboratory curricula and manage operations of teaching the laboratory curricula.
- Ensure that laboratory curricula evolve to align with current high-impact pedagogical practices.
- Assess effectiveness of laboratory curricula.
- Prepare reagents, set-up, and assist laboratory sessions.
- Teach integrated laboratory sections as instructor of record (if PhD).
- Provide administrative and operational support for teaching laboratories.
- Hire, train, coordinate, and supervise undergraduate Teaching Assistants (TAs) for laboratory sections.
- Maintain inventory for laboratory supplies, tools, and equipment, and re-order as needed.
- Prepare written materials for students; post laboratory support material on the learning management system.
- Organize the learning management system for multiple laboratory sections.
- Evaluate laboratory equipment on a daily/weekly/monthly basis for usability.
- Be available to meet with students; oversee end of semester evaluations of TAs.
- Keep abreast of developments in Integrated Science pedagogy, including attending education conferences.
- Actively support the department’s mission to teach, mentor, and inspire students representing a broad range of backgrounds.
- Other responsibilities as needed.
QUALIFICATION STANDARDS & SKILLS:
EDUCATION: Master’s degree in a scientific discipline required, PhD preferred.
EXPERIENCE: Experience with biology, biochemistry, or chemistry laboratory techniques and curriculum is required. Experience bridging chemistry with biology, and prior experience teaching or designing inquiry-based laboratories, is preferred. Experience with statistical modeling and computational coding is desirable.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:
- Experience working within a laboratory environment and familiar with laboratory safety measures.
- Regular attendance is an essential function of this position.
- Organized, punctual, and detail oriented.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with students, faculty, and staff
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with basic software tools including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Publisher, Excel) and Google tools.
REQUIRED HOURS: The regular hours for this full-time position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Regular hours may vary due to the needs of the College. Weekend and evening work hours may be required.
CLASSIFICATION AND STATUS: This is a full-time, 12-month, year-round, exempt, benefits-eligible position.
Supervisor – AB1825: No
Mandatory Reporter – CA Penal Code: Yes
Responsible Employee – Title IX: Yes
Campus Security Authority – The Clery Act: Yes
Mandatory Reporter – CA Penal Code: Yes
Responsible Employee – Title IX: Yes
Campus Security Authority – The Clery Act: Yes
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to stand, walk, bend, climb, push, pull, stoop, twist, stretch, squat, reach and lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist level without assistance.
SALARY RANGE: The anticipated salary range is $70,000 - $90,000 per year. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
GROOMING AND APPEARANCE: The Claremont Colleges seek to maintain a neat and professional image at all times.
BACKGROUND CHECK: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a full consumer background check. Certain positions will require the successful completion of a post-offer physical agility test. Employment is contingent on the satisfactory results of the aforementioned, in addition to compliance with the requirements cited in this job description.
ADA/OSHA: This job description defines the essential or fundamental job duties of this position. It is assumed that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.
DISCLAIMER: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. When duties and responsibilities change and develop over time, accordingly the College reviews this job description on a periodic basis and make changes of business necessity.
AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT: Employment with the College is “at-will” meaning that the terms of employment may be changed with or without notice, with or without cause, including, but not limited to termination, demotion, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, duties, and location of work. There is no agreement express or implied between the College and you for continuing or long-term employment. While the College has every hope that employment relationships will be mutually beneficial and rewarding, employees and the College retain the right to terminate the employment relationship at will, at any time, with or without cause. The President is the only person who can modify or alter the at-will employment relationship.
Claremont McKenna College hires and promotes individuals on the basis of their qualifications, consistent with applicable state and federal laws, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Inquiries may be directed to the Director for Human Resources, 528 N. Mills Avenue, Claremont, California 91711-4015, (909) 621-8490. All applicants must complete and submit an online application to be considered for an open position.
Employment is contingent upon new employee providing documents verifying U.S. citizenship or, for aliens, documents verifying legal permission to work in the United States, applicant's acceptability for positions requiring use of a college vehicle is contingent upon a driving record acceptable to the College's automobile liability insurance. Promotion from within is encouraged whenever qualified employees of Claremont McKenna College are available. Interested employees of the College are urged to contact the Office of Human Resources if qualified for any open position. Please do not contact departments directly.
Disability Accommodations
In compliance with applicable laws ensuring equal opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability, CMC will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual (applicant or employee) with a disability if the disability affects the performance of essential job functions, unless the accommodation results in an undue hardship for the College. Employment decisions are based on the merit and not an individual’s disability.
An applicant or employee who requires an accommodation should contact the immediate supervisor and the Human Resources Office. If multiple accommodations are identified that do not pose an undue hardship for the College, the selection of an accommodation will be at CMC’s discretion. To request disability accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at (909) 621-8490 or
hr@cmc.edu
for assistance.Salary : $70,000 - $90,000
