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Penn State Altoona
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  • This is Penn State Altoona
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  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Academic Divisions
  4. Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
  5. Resources for Faculty

Lab Staff Duties

Supervisor of Labs

  1. Oversight for instructional laboratories and associated preparation areas. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and university regulations and policies.
  2. Supervise activities of lab coordinator, lab technicians, and work study students in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Geo Sciences and evaluate staffing needs.
  3. Oversee purchases for instructional labs. As time permits, oversee purchases for faculty research labs (note: Faculty PIs are solely responsible for their own research budgets).
  4. Oversight of all MNS Division Budgetary cost centers associated with academic labs.
  5. Assist the operation and maintenance of the Animal Care Facility to assure compliance with IACUC policies.
  6. Serve as Chemical Safety Officer for MNS Division by supervising and coordinating safety training of faculty, lab coordinator, lab technicians, work-study students, and academic lab students in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Geo Sciences.
  7. Oversee and update the Safety and Waste Management, Chemical Spill Procedure, and Science Laboratory Emergency Procedures for the MNS Academic Laboratories.
  8. Oversee removal of Biological and Infectious Wastes and Chemical Wastes from the MNS laboratories by the University-approved waste vendor.
  9. Work with faculty and Facilities and Operations on assessment, renovation, and maintenance in instructional and research laboratories.
  10. Supervise maintenance of chemical inventories, supplies, and materials for instructional labs.
  11. Coordinate maintenance and troubleshooting of highly-specialized laboratory equipment.
  12. Conduct an annual inspection of the MNS labs and research spaces and assist the Division Head with follow-up inspections to assure that the research labs are in compliance with all safety regulations.
  13. Monitor progress of instructional, research, and facilities projects.

Lab Coordinator – Lynn Dalby

  1. Manage daily activities of the science labs, stockrooms, and storage areas.
  2. Supervise lab technicians and work study students in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Geo Sciences. Hire work-study students. Train work-study student on laboratory safety.
  3. Serve as manager of the biology, chemistry, earth-science, and physics stockrooms; locate and retrieve chemicals/materials in storage.
  4. Manage the Animal Care Facilities within IACUC guidelines.
  5. Oversight and enforcement of waste and safety policies and safety training of students and personnel in the labs.
  6. Update chemical inventory using CHIMS.
  7. Assist with the maintenance of the NMR by completing Liquid Nitrogen and Liquid Helium fills. Order liquid gases and gas cylinders from GTS Welco and Matheson Gas as needed.
  8. Assist staff and faculty in finding part numbers and cross referencing supplies for academic labs and projects. As time permits, assist in the same manner with faculty research projects.
  9. Assist with outreach activities such as Spooktacular Science and elementary school programs.
  10. Assist with the maintenance of the laboratory computers and equipment. Assist in the troubleshooting of the laptop carts and podium computers.

Lab Technician Duties for Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, and Physics

Essential Duties:

  1. Setup and dismantle student lab experiments.
  2. Prepare instructional demonstrations.
  3. Maintain and restock instructional laboratory supplies for students.
  4. Prepare solutions, media, and cultures for instructional experiments.
  5. Collect all instructional laboratory Biological and Chemical waste for proper disposal.
  6. Oversee work-study students.
  7. Oversee laboratory laptops.
  8. Maintenance and repair of broken instructional lab equipment.
  9. Update chemical inventory once a year.
  10. Update Laboratory Safety and Waste Accumulation logbooks and check eyewashes and safety showers once a week.
  11. Train work-study students in laboratory procedures, maintenance, and safety.
  12. Inform supervisor of any service needs for the instructional laboratories.
  13. Inform supervisor of any safety concerns for the instructional laboratories.
  14. Cross train with lab technicians in other science areas.

Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

  • Resources for Faculty
    • Lab Staff Duties
    • Environmental Health and Safety Requirements, Training, and Paperwork
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Academic Divisions

Division of Business, Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences
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Student Success Center

Located in room 125 on the lower level of the Eiche Library, the Student Success Center supports two main functions:

  • To GET HELP for those students who need academic and non-academic assistance, and
  • To GET AHEAD for those students ready to take the next steps in their education.
Learn more about the Student Success Center

Out-of-Class Learning

Out-of-classroom academic experiences that complement in-class learning, including:

  • Study Away Programs
  • Academic Internships
  • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
Learn more about Out-of-class Learning
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Find Your Admissions Counselor
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Student Success Center
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    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
    • Safety at Penn State Altoona
    • Career Services
    • Eiche Library
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
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    • Staff and Coaches Directory
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3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 814-949-5000

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