Lab Manager: Radiological Sciences, Department of Nuclear Engineering - UTK

The Laboratory Manager for Radiological Sciences supports the day-to-day operations of research laboratories supporting radiopharmaceutical sciences, reporting to the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory and Safety Manager. This position supports safe research operation and compliance with environmental, chemical, biological, and radiation safety regulations; coordinates laboratory maintenance and equipment upkeep. The position will support the management and documentation of laboratory supplies and help ensure research is performed following the documented safety protocols. The Laboratory Manager will work closely with faculty, staff, and students to maintain a safe, efficient, and productive research environment.

• Coordinate with faculty and the department laboratory manager to ensure safe, organized and efficient research operations occur in compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations related to radiation safety, environmental health and safety (EHS), biosafety, and animal research. 

• Make sure machines are running safely based on the guidance from lab manager and assist with ensuring that safety protocols are in place and communicated with everyone in the lab. 

• Assist in the training of laboratory personnel in radiation safety, biosafety, chemical safety, and best laboratory practices related to radiopharmaceutical sciences.

• Draft and update laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and regulatory documentation for management approval.

• Serve as the point of contact with the University's Radiation Safety Office, EHS, Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Will provide knowledge to these partners as appropriate and filter the remaining concerns or questions with the manager.

• Maintain accurate laboratory records to be up to date and comply with regulatory compliance for random inspections that occur.

• Work with department procurement specialist and department laboratory manager regarding the ordering, receipt, inventory, and waste management of radioactive materials. This role will assist the procurement specialist lab needs to allow that specialist to ensure they're meeting policies and guidelines on ordering and coordinating bids for equipment and work orders. This role will ensure that those orders and bids are within budget guidelines provided to the research lab manager.

• Operate and maintain research instrumentation, including the IQID camera, PET/CT scanner, Gamma-Eye imaging system, IVIS imaging system, tissue sectioning equipment, and other laboratory instruments used in radiopharmaceutical sciences. 

• Train laboratory personnel on the proper operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment as the SME.

• Coordinate routine maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, and service of laboratory instrumentation.

• Serve as a point of contact for equipment vendors and service engineers to ensure all laboratory equipment remains operational and properly maintained.

• Assist faculty Principal Investigators (PIs) in preparing the laboratory safety protocol documents and detailing experimental methods that can support the technical sections of manuscripts, grant proposals, and research reports. Provide support with experiment planning and logistical coordination, including estimating and budgeting user facility charges for the experimental costs, supplies, equipment, and radiopharmaceutical-related research expenses.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s in biology, chemistry, biomedical sciences, laboratory science, or a related field
• Experience: 
  • Minimum of two years of relevant laboratory experience. 
  • Experience should demonstrate proficiency in standard laboratory practices, adherence to chemical and biological safety requirements, accurate documentation, and the ability to independently perform routine laboratory procedures. 

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

  • Knowledge of lab operations & safety procedures

  • Knowledge of laboratory scientific principles/techniques

  • Ability to troubleshoot and maintain lab equipment

  • Knowledge and ability to comply with federal, state, local, and university regulations and requirements

  • Strong attention to detail

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s in biology, chemistry, biomedical sciences, laboratory science, or a related field

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge, skills and abilities in working with cultured cells, mouse models of disease, and highly effective communication skills, both oral and written, are preferred. 

Work Location 

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits 

• UT market range: MR08
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. 

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• List of 3 Professional References