Arizona Climate and Ecosystems Laboratory Assistant Director

NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

• This position is posted as Arizona Climate and Ecosystems (ACE) Laboratory Assistant Director, which is a working title. The NAU system title for this position is Lab Research Facility Administrator Assistant Director.
• This position is subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.
• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.

Northern Arizona University is seeking a detail-oriented and organized Lab Research Facility Administrator Assistant Director to support research at the Arizona Climate and Ecosystems (ACE) isotope laboratory in particular as it interfaces with ongoing ecological research projects led by Drs. Ted Schuur, Michelle Mack, and Xanthe Walker. This position will focus both on the technical side of managing and facilitating the sample processing pipeline for the ACE laboratory as well as managing the administrative, financial, and logistical aspects of research projects that are the source of samples.

Responsibilities will include coordinating project timelines with a variety of researchers and directly working with sample processing and operating analytical instrumentation in support of the overall sample processing pipeline of the ACE laboratory. To this end, responsibilities will also include managing budgets and sample spreadsheets, assisting with paperwork for grant proposals, tracking expenditures, and ensuring compliance with institutional and funding agency regulations.

The position will also be responsible for organizing team meetings, maintaining communication with collaborators, and facilitating the smooth operation of laboratory and project activities. The role requires overseeing project documentation, managing logistics for lab and fieldwork, and ensuring the efficient allocation of resources. The ideal candidate will have experience with project coordination, and research administration in an academic, scientific, or equivalent setting.

Lab Liaison - 45%

• Work directly and actively with three faculty members to ensure proper flow of paperwork through the lab and university systems.
• Work with a variety of lab members including students and staff scientists to ensure optimal sample pipeline operations. Promote a welcoming work environment for all.

Research - 20%

• Work collaboratively with research team to organize data collection and processing with the goal of maintaining and optimizing a sample pipeline for isotope analyses.
• Implement research protocols and adapt standard procedures and methods, in particular focusing on preparing and analyzing samples for radiocarbon analysis.
  • This involves coordinating the work of others on these tasks, as well as actively working in the sample processing pipeline.
• Interface the sample pipeline processing with laboratory analyses in conjunction with staff scientists.
• Participate in scientific discussions with other members of the research team and lab and attend mandatory lab and project meetings.

Operations - 20%

• Maintain clean, orderly and uncluttered laboratory space.
• Order and keep stock of laboratory supplies, chemicals and spare maintenance items.
• Track incoming samples and outgoing results.
• Organize and keep an inventory of samples.
• Return, dispose or curate any excess sample materials.
• Optimize use of lab space and lab equipment.
• Manage hazardous waste according to University protocols.
• Prepare and track invoices.
• Manage a PCard.
• On- and off-board student workers.
• Approve time sheets.

Data Management - 10%

• Tabulate and summarize data as part of the sample processing pipeline.
• Report results.
• Track values for standards and blanks.
• Curate and maintain backup copies of all data and metadata according to best data-management practices.

Other - 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

• B.S. degree in a relevant field (e.g., Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, or related); and
• 2-4 years of management experience; and
• At least 3 years of relevant experience, including:
  • Project organization and management or research administration, with a proven track record in coordinating complex projects, managing budgets, and handling grants.
  • Experience with the operation of analytical instrumentation, including sample processing and data management of environmental samples; or
• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

• M.S degree.
• Experience organizing and managing multi-component research projects.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary teams and managing external collaborations.

Knowledge

• Familiarity with ecological or environmental science research.
• Familiarity with the preparation and submission of grant proposals and progress reports.
• Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices related to laboratory operation, including sample
• preparation and handling, data acquisition, data processing and data interpretation.
• Advanced knowledge of laboratory health and safety requirements.

Skills

• Strong budgeting and financial management skills.
• Customer service skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Abilities

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.
• Communicates effectively.
• Possesses strong problem solving, organizational, and analytical capabilities.

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary range begins at $58,882. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election.

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days.

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

May 26, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disabled/Protected Veterans. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

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