What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lab and Research Spec II - Instrument and Facility Manager - Discovery Lab position at Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics?
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Work type: Staff
Senior management: Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department: Biochemistry
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Agriculture / Life Science
Job Description
Virginia Tech’s Department of Biochemistry seeks a versatile Instrument and Equipment Manager with experience in maintaining specialized scientific instruments as well as working directly with undergraduate students in a research setting. The Manager will directly support Virginia Tech’s Discovery Lab, a one-of-a-kind environment outfitted with specialized instruments and equipment that permits the execution of STEM-based projects ranging from hypothesis testing and protype development. Students work with both academic and industry scientists, developing the durable skills required of the modern technical workforce.
The Instrument and Facility Manager’s responsibilities will include overseeing the operation, maintenance, and optimization of the Discovery Lab’s instruments and equipment; providing training and technical support for Discovery Lab users – students, faculty/staff, industry representatives, and community members; and collaborate with Discovery Lab leadership team members to co-create undergraduate research experiences. Responsibilities also include ensuring Discovery Lab research and academic programs comply with all VT Environmental Health and Safety regulations.
We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and recognize that a successful candidate may come from a less traditional career trajectory. This includes skills and abilities gained outside an academic environment, and/or an equivalent skill set that can be directly applied to this position. We encourage those that have a strong desire to support this facility to apply and share how you meet the position's qualifications.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in sciences or engineering, or equivalent years of education and training; Experience and interest in working with undergraduate students; Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a team; Strong organizational skills and attentional to detail; Ability to negotiate instrument and equipment service contracts; Strong project and time management skills; Ability to balance equipment management tasks, urgent issues, training workshops, and technical support sessions; Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including (but not limited too) the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders (e.g. undergraduate students, faculty, external technicians and industry representatives), the ability to translate technical issues into clear and actional information, and collaborate with faculty and students to manage the Discovery Lab’s Technical Spaces; Technical expertise in scientific instrumentation, including a deep working knowledge of common analytical instruments (e.g. mass spectrometry, gas/liquid chromatography, elemental analysis) and the electronic/mechanical principles behind them, general knowledge of electronics and electronic devices, and general knowledge of computers and scientific software.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in science or engineering; Prior experience working in a higher education/academic lab setting OR Research and Development (R&D) lab on equipment maintenance and repair; Previous experience working with faculty or professionals from different disciplines; Continuous improvement mindset and a willingness to continue their technical training; Interest in learning more about collaborative teaching and student-centered pedagogies.
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$55,000 - $60,000
Hours per week
40
Review Date
11/23/2025
Additional Information
Applicants are encouraged to include a cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references when applying to this position.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check. Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Ann Brown at annbrown@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Advertised: November 4, 2025
Applications close: Open until filled
Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend
Work type: Staff
Senior management: Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department: Biochemistry
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Agriculture / Life Science
Job Description
Virginia Tech’s Department of Biochemistry seeks a versatile Instrument and Equipment Manager with experience in maintaining specialized scientific instruments as well as working directly with undergraduate students in a research setting. The Manager will directly support Virginia Tech’s Discovery Lab, a one-of-a-kind environment outfitted with specialized instruments and equipment that permits the execution of STEM-based projects ranging from hypothesis testing and protype development. Students work with both academic and industry scientists, developing the durable skills required of the modern technical workforce.
The Instrument and Facility Manager’s responsibilities will include overseeing the operation, maintenance, and optimization of the Discovery Lab’s instruments and equipment; providing training and technical support for Discovery Lab users – students, faculty/staff, industry representatives, and community members; and collaborate with Discovery Lab leadership team members to co-create undergraduate research experiences. Responsibilities also include ensuring Discovery Lab research and academic programs comply with all VT Environmental Health and Safety regulations.
We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and recognize that a successful candidate may come from a less traditional career trajectory. This includes skills and abilities gained outside an academic environment, and/or an equivalent skill set that can be directly applied to this position. We encourage those that have a strong desire to support this facility to apply and share how you meet the position's qualifications.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in sciences or engineering, or equivalent years of education and training; Experience and interest in working with undergraduate students; Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a team; Strong organizational skills and attentional to detail; Ability to negotiate instrument and equipment service contracts; Strong project and time management skills; Ability to balance equipment management tasks, urgent issues, training workshops, and technical support sessions; Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including (but not limited too) the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders (e.g. undergraduate students, faculty, external technicians and industry representatives), the ability to translate technical issues into clear and actional information, and collaborate with faculty and students to manage the Discovery Lab’s Technical Spaces; Technical expertise in scientific instrumentation, including a deep working knowledge of common analytical instruments (e.g. mass spectrometry, gas/liquid chromatography, elemental analysis) and the electronic/mechanical principles behind them, general knowledge of electronics and electronic devices, and general knowledge of computers and scientific software.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in science or engineering; Prior experience working in a higher education/academic lab setting OR Research and Development (R&D) lab on equipment maintenance and repair; Previous experience working with faculty or professionals from different disciplines; Continuous improvement mindset and a willingness to continue their technical training; Interest in learning more about collaborative teaching and student-centered pedagogies.
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$55,000 - $60,000
Hours per week
40
Review Date
11/23/2025
Additional Information
Applicants are encouraged to include a cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references when applying to this position.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check. Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Ann Brown at annbrown@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Advertised: November 4, 2025
Applications close: Open until filled
Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend
Salary : $55,000 - $60,000
