Laboratory Assistant Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

33152BR

Civil/Environ/Arch Engineering

Position Overview

Facilitates communication among laboratory users and safe operation within all departmental laboratory facilities. Collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to design, test and execute experimental research, field studies, instructional experiments or demonstrations, and student competition team project fabrication. Will procure, build, transport, operate, and maintain equipment and materials. Trains faculty, staff, and students in the use of facilities and equipment; may include curriculum development. Assists with scheduling of space and equipment for research, instruction, and other functions. Assists with security. Supervises student employees; may supervise staff. This position will interact directly with faculty and students and must be able to interact well with all types of personalities from wide-ranging populations. Will establish priorities for projects in addition to general operation and coordination of work between various laboratories.

Job Description

20% - Responsible for the development, maintenance, training, and enforcement of laboratory safety procedures. Familiar with University of Kansas Environmental Health and Safety procedures for hazardous materials, laboratory rules, and requirements.
20% - Interact with faculty, staff, laboratory assistants, and students to coordinate, schedule and operate laboratory equipment and space for class projects, research projects, student project competitions, and laboratory demonstrations. Train and supervise all laboratory users and staff for custom research applications, laboratory demonstrations, and student competition projects. Coordinate and schedule project requests for departmental faculty and research staff, as well as academic assistants. Supervision entails establishing project priorities and assigning work according to skill and abilities of students and subordinates.
20% - Develop and manage testing, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems for teaching and research activities in all departmental laboratories. Work with faculty to order, set-up, operate, maintain or arrange for service for all systems. Provide technical training and assistance to faculty, students, and staff personnel in the regular use, maintenance, and , as appropriate, calibration of facilities, equipment, and instrumentation. Design, fabricate, and modify test fixtures for equipment utilizing hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic, and mechanical equipment, mills, lathes, band saws, various arc welding processes, plasma cutters, bobcat, forklift, and crane. Install hoses and pipes using a wide range of fittings, on hydraulic equipment, cut and thread pipe for various equipment. Attend industry training courses to maintain/improve current competence.
20% - Prepare specifications and orders for equipment and materials that have to be purchased through the bid process. Effectively monitor, plan, and utilize allocated supplies and equipment funds. Oversee and arrange shipping, moving, installation, repair, calibration, and preventive maintenance of all departmental laboratory equipment and instruments.
10% - Maintain and reconcile departmental space allocation and use inventory. Maintain and reconcile, in cooperation with departmental accounting office, physical inventory, including equipment and property.
10% - Other laboratory related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

1. High School Diploma or GED with five years' related experience OR Bachelor's degree with one year of related experience OR Master's degree in field related to discipline.
2. Experience developing and enforcing safety procedures in construction and/or laboratory environments as demonstrated in application materials.
3. Five years of experience troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing equipment.
4. Excellent written communication skills as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Five years of experience in general carpentry, machining, welding, preventive maintenance, and repairs.
2. Experience in the design, construction, maintenance, and modification of custom laboratory equipment and devices, including hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic, and mechanical systems with manual and automated controls.
3. At least one year of experience with pipe fittings and the ability to cut, thread and fit pipe for air and water applications, including hydraulic fittings, tubing and hoses.
4. Has had hazardous waste training

Contact Information to Applicants

William Collins
william.collins@ku.edu

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications for this position
• resume
• list of three professional references

Advertised Salary Range

$50,000-$55,000

Application Review Begins

10-Aug-2026

Anticipated Start Date

24-Aug-2026

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

FTE

1.0

Reg/Temp

Regular

FLSA Status

Nonexempt

Employee Class

U-Unclassified Professional Staff

Work Schedule

M-F 8-5

Job Family

EducationalSuport&Delivery-KUL

Work Location Assignment

On-Site

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.