- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences seeks an organized, proactive, and detail-oriented Laboratory Coordinator to oversee daily operations of the Pan Laboratory, a collaborative biomedical research laboratory conducting research in biomaterials, nanomedicine, drug delivery, cancer immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine.
This position will be filled at the Intermediate Professional or the Advanced Professional level, based on the successful candidate.
The Laboratory Coordinator serves as the operational hub of the laboratory, ensuring efficient laboratory operations while coordinating purchasing, budgeting, safety, equipment, facilities, research administration, and project logistics. The role supports faculty, research staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students, enabling researchers to focus on scientific discovery.
The successful candidate will be a problem-solver who enjoys improving processes and maintaining an organized environment. This is an annually contracted position with an excellent likelihood of reappointment.
Responsibilities:Laboratory Operations- Coordinate day-to-day operations of a fast-paced interdisciplinary research laboratory.
- Oversee laboratory security, safety, organization, efficiency, and quality control.
- Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory policies, procedures, and standard operating practices.
- Coordinate laboratory space, equipment, maintenance, repairs, and service contracts.
- Manage purchasing, inventory, supply ordering, vendor relationships, and equipment procurement.
- Ensure compliance with University, environmental health and safety, and regulatory requirements.
- Coordinate laboratory budgets, purchasing activities, and research expenditures.
- Monitor spending and work with Huck and College of Engineering staff to reconcile financial transactions.
- Compile funding information and assist with grant proposal preparation and progress reporting.
- Maintain records related to operations, equipment, inventory, compliance, and research activities.
- Coordinate reporting requirements and maintain operational metrics.
- Coordinate research project operations, including timelines, laboratory resources, equipment availability, and logistics.
- Facilitate communication among faculty, research staff, students, collaborators, vendors, and University offices.
- Track project activities and assist with planning to keep projects on schedule.
- Support implementation of new processes and operational improvements.
- Assist with onboarding and training laboratory members on operations, safety procedures, and equipment use.
- Coordinate laboratory schedules and support instructional and research activities.
- Provide operational support to faculty, research staff, graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and visiting scholars.
- Assist with special projects and other administrative responsibilities as assigned.
- Bachelor's degree in biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, life sciences, or a related field.
- One or more years of experience in laboratory operations, research administration, laboratory coordination, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience managing multiple priorities in a dynamic research environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard business software.
- Experience supporting federally funded research in an academic environment.
- Experience with laboratory purchasing, budgeting, inventory management, and financial reconciliation.
- Familiarity with laboratory safety regulations and compliance requirements.
- Experience assisting with grant proposals and research administration.
- Experience coordinating shared laboratory resources and equipment.
Application Instructions: A complete application must include the following documents in a single PDF:
- Cover Letter: A one-page letter describing how your interests and experience align with the goals of the position.
- Resume/CV: A comprehensive record of professional experience, education, and relevant skills, including 3 professional references and your working relationship with each.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Lab Coordinator - Life Sciences - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as Lab Coordinator - Life Sciences - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $44,628.00 - $71,340.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, life sciences, or related field.
- One or more years of experience in laboratory operations, research administration, laboratory coordination, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience managing multiple priorities in a dynamic research environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard business software.
- Successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
- Authorization to work in the U.S. (Penn State does not sponsor staff employment visas).
- Experience supporting federally funded research in an academic environment.
- Experience with laboratory purchasing, budgeting, inventory management, and financial reconciliation.
- Familiarity with laboratory safety regulations and compliance requirements.
- Experience assisting with grant proposals and research administration.
- Experience coordinating shared laboratory resources and equipment.
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
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What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
