CORE Lab Specialist

Role Overview

CORE Lab Specialist at Khalifa University. The Core Laboratory Specialist for the Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry (ACBC) Core Laboratory is tasked with delivering high-quality technical support to users of the ACBC Core Laboratory.

Role Purpose

This role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities related to the daily operations, including managing equipment, training users, and ensuring compliance with Khalifa University's Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulations for the proper and safe use of equipment and materials. The ACBC Core Laboratory Specialist will foster a culture of continuous improvement to maintain excellent research user services within the Research Core Laboratories.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Safety

• Drive practices and metrics which ensure that the ACBC Core Laboratory operates in compliance with all aspects of Khalifa University's EHS policies.
• Provide a safe environment for the use of ACBC Core Laboratory equipment.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment and practice to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
• Adhere to the University's information security and confidentiality policies and procedures, and report breaches or other security risks accordingly.

Laboratory Operations

• Oversee the daily operation, maintenance, and user training for the ACBC Core Laboratory.
• Work closely with faculty, students, and researchers to provide technical support in ACBC Core Laboratory experiments, sample preparation, data collection, and analysis.
• Coordinate operational policies and procedures.
• Work with research staff on issues which impact laboratory services.
• Coordinate and supervise the performance of routine and specialized technical procedures in assigned laboratories.
• Assist with laboratory goals and operational procedures for quality, efficiency and waste reduction.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is operational to the maximum extent possible and improve operations through efficient use of existing equipment.
• Monitor the functionality of new equipment to ensure compliance.
• Coordinate the installation of new equipment and maintaining the inventory of all laboratory equipment.

Equipment Operation and Maintenance

• Demonstrate proficiency in operating inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and ICP mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instruments, including a strong understanding of sample preparation, calibration techniques, and detection methodologies.
• Demonstrate strong skills in operating nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers, analyzing spectra, and optimizing experimental parameters.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of NMR techniques, including 1D and 2D experiments, pulse sequences, and sample preparation.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation software, combined with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues with both gas chromatography (GC) and Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) systems.
• Oversee and manage technical requirements for liquid chromatography (LC) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) operations, ensuring proper setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting to support research activities.
• Demonstrate strong skills in operating LC systems and mass spectrometers (MS), with a solid understanding of separation techniques and ionization methods.
• Demonstrate expertise in optimizing experimental conditions, including sample preparation, method development, and troubleshooting.
• Maintain proficiency in software for data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation, as well as the ability to resolve technical issues with both LC and LC-MS systems.

Resource Management

• Assist in the determination of fiscal requirements and in the preparation of budgetary recommendations, including recommending capital equipment expenditures.
• Ensure appropriate resource levels and comply with organizational expenditure requirements.
• Supervise the inventory of commonly used laboratory supplies, maintenance parts and any other items related to research lab operations.
• Evaluate technical requirements based on bids received from potential vendors for new laboratory equipment purchases.
• Guide faculty and researchers on the purchase of required consumables and accessories for working with the equipment.

Research Services and Support

• Contribute to the continued innovation and development of the research program.
• Maintain liaison with investigators, research personnel and staff to solve specific operating problems and improve technical activities.
• Recommend appropriate training courses as per user research interests.

Communications and Coordination

• Ensure ACBC Core Laboratory website is kept up to date, including all training schedules, equipment schedules and equipment descriptions.
• Coordinate with other departments to facilitate the accomplishment of tasks and responsibilities related to the operations of the Research Laboratories Department.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Line Manager.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Science or Engineering or a related field; Master's or Doctoral degrees preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in laboratory operations.
• Strong experience with laboratory equipment operation in analytical laboratories including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), gas chromatography (GC), Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectrometry (MS) techniques.