Company Description

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace; it is a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!

Job Description

The Lab Manager & Research Seminars Coordinator supports the daily operations of the Berke Lab, assists with undergraduate research activities and shared laboratory resources across Environmental Engineering labs in McCourtney Hall East, and coordinates co-curricular research seminars for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences (CEEES).

This three year Limited-Term position (with the possibility for renewal) is responsible for maintaining laboratory instrumentation, ensuring high-quality geochemical data, supporting laboratory safety and compliance, training student researchers, managing laboratory supplies and procurement, and coordinating departmental seminar programming and guest visits. The role also provides opportunities for independent research, as time and interest permit, under the guidance of faculty.

Key Responsibilities

Berke Lab Operations & Research Support — 50%

• Instrumentation Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation; coordinate the replacement of instrument components and ensure equipment remains operational.
• Sample Analysis and Data Quality: Conduct sample analyses, process data, maintain analytical standards, and implement quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures to ensure a continuous supply of high-quality geochemical data.
• Analytical Methods and Data Management: Develop new analytical methods as needed and promote effective data management practices, documentation, and recordkeeping.
• Graduate Student Training and Support: Train and assist graduate student researchers in the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of laboratory instrumentation, developing technical skills relevant to future careers in chemical analysis and related fields.
• Laboratory Safety and Compliance: Serve as the primary laboratory safety resource, oversee appropriate waste disposal, and support compliance with applicable EPA safety standards and other relevant laboratory safety requirements.
• Inventory and Procurement: Monitor laboratory inventory, maintain adequate supplies and analytical standards, and order necessary consumables, equipment, and replacement parts.

Undergraduate Research Support & Shared Laboratory Resources — 30%

• Undergraduate Research Training and Supervision: Train and assist in supervising undergraduate student researchers working in CEEES faculty laboratories in McCourtney Hall East, helping expand opportunities for undergraduate participation in departmental research.
• Shared Equipment and Supplies Management: Oversee the use and availability of shared laboratory equipment and supplies, monitor inventory and usage, and replenish materials as needed.
• Procurement and Vendor Coordination: Serve as the primary procurement contact for participating laboratories, coordinate orders for supplies and equipment, and communicate directly with designated vendors.
• Laboratory Coordination and Support: Provide general operational support for Environmental Engineering laboratories in McCourtney Hall East and assist with additional laboratory needs as they arise.

Departmental Research Seminar Coordination — 20%

• Seminar Planning and Administration: Coordinate the department’s co-curricular research seminar series, including Structures, Environmental Engineering, Earth Sciences, McCourtney East early-career lunchtime seminars, and CEEES-sponsored Edison Lectures held during the academic year.
• Speaker and Faculty Coordination: Work with faculty hosts to coordinate seminar arrangements and communicate with invited speakers and guests before, during, and after their visits.
• Travel and Hospitality Arrangements: Arrange travel, lodging, meals, and other logistical needs for invited speakers and visitors.
• Seminar Communications and Publicity: Publicize seminars through appropriate departmental communication channels and ensure event information is distributed in a timely manner.
• Guest Visit Planning: Develop and manage itineraries for invited speakers, coordinating seminar schedules, meetings, meals, and other planned activities.

Independent Research Opportunities

As time and interest permit, the individual in this position is encouraged to pursue independent research within the Berke Lab under faculty guidance.

Qualifications

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
• Preferred: Master’s or doctoral degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.

Experience

• Required: Three to four years of relevant professional or research experience in a laboratory setting.
• Required: Hands-on experience troubleshooting gas chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS) systems.
• Required: Experience working with organic solvents and laboratory instrumentation.
• Preferred: Experience with organic geochemical analytical techniques.

Technical and Laboratory Skills

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, maintain, and support the operation of complex analytical instrumentation, particularly GC-IRMS systems.
• Strong fine motor skills and manual dexterity for precise laboratory procedures, sample preparation, and instrument maintenance.
• Creative and analytical problem-solving skills to diagnose instrumentation issues, improve laboratory workflows, and address unexpected technical challenges.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and the safe handling of organic solvents.
• Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records, support data quality assurance and quality control, and manage laboratory supplies and equipment.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with undergraduate and graduate student researchers, faculty, and departmental colleagues.
• Ability to train, mentor, and provide day-to-day guidance to student researchers in laboratory techniques, instrumentation use, and safe laboratory practices.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills to coordinate laboratory operations, procurement activities, and departmental seminar programming.

Organizational and Project Management Skills

• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, balance multiple projects, and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with and provide effective support to the principal investigator (PI), faculty, students, and departmental leadership.
• Strong planning and coordination skills to support laboratory operations, shared resources, and departmental events.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and adapt to changing laboratory and departmental needs.

Additional Information

• Annual Salary: Commensurate with experience
• Application Deadline: November 20, 2026
• Required Application Materials: Resume and cover letter
• References: Three professional references are required. References will not be contacted without your permission.
• Position Duration: Three-year limited-term position with possibility for renewal.

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.