Coord, Lab Research Ops

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $66,300 - $80,000

Position Summary

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Office for Research Laboratory Research Operations team. Reporting to the Senior Director of Laboratory Research Operations and Capital Projects, the Coordinator, Laboratory Research Operations provides hands-on, day-to-day operational support to research laboratories and centrally managed programs across VP&S. This role serves as a primary point of contact for laboratory operations support programs, faculty onboarding and offboarding activities, equipment coordination, maintenance tracking, and emergency response support, while maintaining key operational resources, databases, and communications. The Coordinator works closely with faculty, departmental administrators, facilities, procurement, and central research operations leadership to ensure laboratory operations are well-coordinated, responsive, and aligned with established policies and institutional standards.

Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain a searchable inventory for the laboratory equipment exchange program, supporting the evaluation, coordination, and repurposing of used laboratory equipment in accordance with established policies.
• Coordinate and provide day-to-day operational support for research support programs managed by the VP&S Office for Research, including the emergency backup freezer program, freezer monitoring program, and electronic research resource catalog. Serve as a primary point of contact for laboratories participating in these programs.
• Maintain and update the Laboratory Research Operations section of the VP&S Office for Research website, ensuring guidance documents, program information, and contact details remain accurate and current.
• Collect and organize purchasing, vendor, and utilization data to support analysis of purchasing trends and contracts. Prepare summaries and supporting materials for review by the Senior Director and Manager, and coordinate with the Columbia Procurement Office as directed.
• Track and support faculty onboarding and offboarding activities related to laboratory space, equipment, and operational readiness, coordinating logistics and documentation with departments and central stakeholders.
• Track, organize, and escalate unresolved laboratory maintenance and infrastructure issues, coordinating with facilities and other service providers to support timely resolution and continuity of research operations.
• Serve as an accessible operational resource for laboratories seeking guidance on implementing established management, safety, and operational policies, escalating complex or nonstandard issues as appropriate.
• Organize incoming specialty equipment purchasing requests, compile required documentation, and support the Senior Director and Manager with review, coordination, and follow-up activities.
• Support the development and implementation of a modernized capital asset tracking and management system by assisting with data collection, equipment inventories, record maintenance, and coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of laboratory emergency response protocols, and serve as a support resource to emergency response teams during incidents affecting research operations.
• Act as a day-to-day liaison to departmental laboratory research operations staff, providing operational support, coordination, and issue tracking across the School and its Departments.
• Support special projects and initiatives assigned by the Senior Director that advance laboratory research operations, service delivery, and operational efficiency.
• Assist with the maintenance of laboratory research space databases by entering, updating, and validating space, occupancy, and equipment data to support current-state analyses.
• Support space surveys, move coordination, and data collection efforts that inform space planning, forecasting, and implementation activities led by the Senior Director and Manager.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education and experience, and 3 years of related experience. Masters degree, PhD, or MD may substitute in part for experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Laboratory experience in biological sciences/biomedical research.
• Experience in a technical eld that provides knowledge of research laboratory infrastructure requirements.
• Knowledge of mechanical functions of scientic equipment

Other Requirements

• Expertise with the capabilities, requirements, uses, and physical conditions for research laboratories.
• Understanding or ability to learn scientic concepts and investigators' research-related needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, experience in establishing and maintaining eective professional working relationships.
• Communicates carefully, clearly, and in a timely manner (both verbally and in writing).
• Effective at maintaining the confidentiality of projects and research information.
• Excellent judgment and reasoning ability for problem-solving a variety of issues in varying situations.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and make decisions with in-depth understanding.
• Flexibility and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize among many diverse responsibilities the ability to multi-task and respond professionally in challenging situations, are essential.
• Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Oce applications (i.e., Outlook, Excel, and Word)

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.