Staff Research Associate 4 - Civil and Environmental Engineering

The University of Nevada, Reno is seeking a Staff Research Associate 4 for the Civil and Environmental Engineering team. This role involves supervising lab operations, managing equipment procurement, and assisting faculty in training students and technicians. Key responsibilities include ensuring safety compliance, maintaining lab equipment, preparing materials for experiments, and managing lab accounts. Candidates should have a relevant Bachelor's degree and three years of professional research experience.
About the position

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) is seeking a highly organized Staff Research Associate 4 for the Civil and Environmental Engineering team within the College of Engineering. This position is crucial for supervising lab operations, managing equipment procurement, and ensuring the smooth functioning of laboratory spaces. The Staff Research Associate will assist faculty in training students, graduate assistants, and technicians to optimize lab efficiency and resource utilization. This role is critical in fostering a safe and efficient learning environment while maintaining high standards for lab operations and quality assurance. Key duties include procuring and maintaining lab equipment, apparatus, and supplies, managing lab accounts, and coordinating budget revisions with faculty and administrative staff. The Staff Research Associate will also be responsible for maintaining and repairing lab instruments used by students, researchers, and faculty, ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Daily responsibilities involve overseeing lab operations, including EHS safety compliance, maintaining student safety training records, preparing lab materials, reagents, and equipment for experiments, and conducting daily inspections and maintenance of lab apparatus and supplies to ensure readiness before classes. Collaboration with lab instructors to determine necessary supplies and chemicals prior to each semester is essential. The Staff Research Associate will ensure proper documentation of lab safety rules, inventory management, and cleanliness of lab spaces. Additionally, maintaining quality control by reviewing lab data, verifying and calibrating instruments, and certifying lab methods and procedures is a critical aspect of this role.

Responsibilities
• Supervise lab operations and manage equipment procurement.
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• Assist faculty in training students, graduate assistants, and technicians.
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• Procure and maintain lab equipment, apparatus, and supplies.
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• Manage lab accounts and coordinate budget revisions with faculty and administrative staff.
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• Maintain and repair lab instruments used by students, researchers, and faculty.
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• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and oversee day-to-day lab operations.
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• Prepare lab materials, reagents, and equipment for experiments and teaching lab classes.
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• Conduct daily inspections and maintenance of lab apparatus and supplies.
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• Collaborate with lab instructors to determine necessary supplies and chemicals prior to each semester.
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• Ensure proper documentation of lab safety rules, inventory management, and cleanliness of lab spaces.
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• Maintain quality control by reviewing lab data, verifying and calibrating instruments, and certifying lab methods and procedures.

Requirements
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the required area of specialization.
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• Three (3) years of professional research experience in the field or in a laboratory, including experience coordinating research activities and making original contributions to research design, protocols, and processes.
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• One (1) year of experience as a Staff Research Associate III in Nevada State service, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice-to-haves
• Knowledge and experience working with water, wastewater, sludge samples, and chemicals.
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• Strong knowledge of chemistry, environmental engineering, or science laboratory safety procedures and chemical hygiene policies.
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• Ability to requisition and purchase chemicals, supplies, and equipment for a laboratory.

Benefits
• Dental insurance
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• Employee assistance program
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• Health insurance
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• Life insurance
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• Retirement plan
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• Vision insurance