Teaching Laboratory Manager

Organizational Summary: 

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida is a diverse, research active community of scholars, teachers, creators, and learners who believe that ideas should live both in the classroom and in the world. We bring together the sciences, social sciences, and humanities to tackle real problems through learning that involves doing, including fieldwork on Florida’s coast, work in laboratories, data-focused projects, and storytelling across digital and traditional media. Our faculty are nationally recognized researchers and dedicated mentors who open doors to significant opportunities such as undergraduate research, internships, fellowships, and global experiences. We are especially proud of our vibrant humanities and social sciences, where students connect big questions to real careers through funded experiential learning and projects that engage the community. Rooted in Tampa Bay and connected to global conversations, we see our campus as a living laboratory for studying the environment, society, culture, and technology, and we invite colleagues who share this spirit of curiosity, collaboration, and innovation focused on students to join us.

Position Description:

The School of Geosciences at the University of South Florida (USF) invites applications for a full-time, 12-month Laboratory Manager / Research Associate position in its geochemistry group. The USF Stable Isotope Laboratory houses a Thermo Fisher Scientific Delta V IRMS with Gasbench II, EA, and TC/EA peripherals, as well as a Picarro Water Isotope Analyzer. The lab supports research and teaching across a range of disciplines, including geology, anthropology, biology, environmental sciences, and geography.

The Laboratory Manager (LM) of the Stable Isotope Laboratory (SIL) supports research and teaching across diverse disciplines, including geology, environmental sciences, anthropology, biology, and medicine. Serving researchers and students from all USF campuses, as well as external and international collaborators, the LM reports to the Director of the SGS and collaborates with Principal Investigators (PIs) on projects utilizing an isotope ratio mass spectrometer and its peripherals, as well as a Picarro water analyzer. Responsibilities include maintaining and troubleshooting instrumentation, ensuring data quality, training and supervising users, overseeing lab safety and operations, and managing the lab's fiscal planning. This role offers an opportunity to support cutting-edge research while fostering collaboration and student mentorship.

Salary & Benefits:

Salary is based on the qualifications of the candidate, plus benefits that includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, tuition program and generous leave programs and more offered by the University of South Florida.

1. 15%  - Laboratory Administration: Coordinate safety and compliance training and procedures for laboratory operations. Prioritize and manage laboratory workflow based on PIs and student need and laboratory efficiency. Develop and maintain records with the results of laboratory analyses and appropriate ancillary data for purposes including storage, maintenance, tracking, reporting, and archiving of sample-related information. Perform other administrative duties as needed to further the mission and goals of PIs.
2. 10% - Financial Administration: The LM will oversee the budgeting and financial management of overhead, operating, and research accounts to ensure the lab remains fiscally responsible and financially stable. Responsibilities include managing procurement of materials and supplies, optimizing resource allocation, and maintaining cost-effective operations. The LM will also develop business plans if requested by the Director or College and collaborate with the Director and PIs to plan and secure funding for new equipment and instrumentation.
3. 60% - Laboratory Operations: The LM will oversee the maintenance and operation of all lab infrastructure, ensuring a safe and efficient working environment for PIs, students, and researchers. Responsibilities include coordinating safety and maintenance services, enforcing compliance with safety protocols, and implementing quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) measures to guarantee accurate and reliable sample analysis. The LM will ensure that analyses meet the specific needs of PIs by applying rigorous QA/QC protocols to sample processing. Additionally, the LM will establish and refine laboratory standards through experimental testing and, where appropriate, participate in inter-laboratory proficiency assessments to uphold analytical excellence.
4. 10% - Training and Supervision: The LM will train PIs, faculty, students, and visiting researchers in the safe and proper operation of lab instrumentation. This includes developing and implementing training protocols, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and fostering best practices in sample preparation, instrument use, and data analysis. The LM will also provide ongoing supervision and support to lab users, promoting a collaborative and well-maintained research environment.
5. 5% - The Stable Isotope Lab Manager is also expected to collaborate and maintain close communication with the Lab Manager of the Center for Geochemical Analysis to ensure coordinated laboratory operations and shared best practices. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to the discipline of the work, and one year of related experience.
• Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
  • Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
  • SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
  • A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
  • (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
  • (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
  • (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
  • (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
  • (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
  • Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
  • Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.       
                                     

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. degree in geology, geochemistry, analytical chemistry, or a related field.
• Experience operating and maintaining Picarro and Thermo (Finnigan) mass spectrometers and peripherals, including Thermo Delta V Plus, Gasbench, TC/EA, and EA (Costech or Thermo Quest).
• Expertise in the preparation and isotopic analysis of carbonates, waters, organic matter, and biogenic materials.
• Proficiency in method development, data management, and troubleshooting isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) instrumentation and Picarro analyzers.
• Experience managing a multi-user isotope laboratory or a similar research facility.
• Demonstrated ability to train and supervise students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff in stable isotope analytical methods and data interpretation.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
   

Additional Information for Applicants:

• The selected candidate must have current work authorization in the United States. This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.
   

Applications must include the following:

• A cover letter
• A CV
• A statement detailing experience relevant to IRMS operation and lab management
• Evidence of successful research
• Contact information for three references

Review of applications will begin after November 16, 2026. Under Florida law, applications and related discussions are public records. For additional details, visit the School of Geosciences website or contact the search committee chair, Dr. Jeffrey Ryan (ryan@usf.edu).

 

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.