Job description

Position Overview:

Duke Kunshan University (DKU) is a Sino-US Joint Venture University approved by the Ministry of Education and co-founded by Duke University, Wuhan University and Kunshan City Government. DKU is a non-profit public welfare social organization with independent legal status. The campus is in Kunshan Yangcheng Lake Science Park, Jiangsu Province, about 30 km from Shanghai. DKU seeks to appoint an assistant director for the lab management office to account for the rapidly expanding teaching and research laboratories. Working closely with faculty and lab staff members, the assistant director will provide comprehensive support for the establishment of policies and guidelines for the daily operation of lab infrastructure. In addition, successful candidate will assist the dean of research and lab infrastructure in the strategic planning of the lab infrastructure in alignment with both Chinese and international standards, as well as provide an oversight of lab safety assurance, life cycle management of core facilities, etc.

DKU offers a series of graduate degree programs and launched its undergraduate degree program in 2018. Our campus provides an innovative, interdisciplinary undergraduate liberal arts experience to a student body that will number 2500 students and 200+ faculty, with a student body represented by over 70 countries. There are currently 15+ lab staff members supporting lab courses and daily operation of the lab infrastructure, which is composed of 25+ teaching and research labs (including one Biosafety level II lab) spreading over 6000 sqm lab space. The assistant director will play an indispensable role in the future development of our lab infrastructure to provide professional and comprehensive support for the core mission of DKU.

Reports to:

Dean of lab and research infrastructure

Essential Duties:

1.         Set up policies and guidelines for the daily operation of teaching and research labs across campus with relevant stakeholders.

2.         Manage the development of the overall lab infrastructure in coordination with various academic unit and operation.

3.         Manage running budget of lab management office in alignment with strategic plans of DKU’s lab infrastructure.

4.         Lead projects relevant to lab infrastructure, such as relevant internal call for proposals.

5.         Oversee lab coordinator / technicians in the office on establishing and maintaining an updated list of research equipment, collecting data from daily operation of lab infrastructure, and planning for constant optimization. Serve as liaison with RSO, operation, finance and procurement office regarding building and maintenance of the core facility centers of labs.

6.         Provide comprehensive support for establishment of lab infrastructure in coordination with requesting units and corresponding lab staff. Tasks include but are not limited to retrofit of lab spaces, coordinating with finance and procurement office in lab equipment and supply procurement, ensuring lab safety, asset management, etc.

7.         Assist in managing lab space and core facilities across campus, setting up relevant protocols for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.

8.         Manage lab access in coordination with LSO, lab managers and lab responsible persons. Keeping track on teaching and research activities in all labs for academic purposes.

9.         Serve as a central hub for collecting lab relevant data for internal and external optimization and auditing processes.

10.     Serve as the contact point between faculty members and other supporting units on research activities involving lab infrastructure. Provide guidance for setting up teaching and research labs according to relevant policies and guidelines.

11.     Assist the dean of research and lab infrastructure in building a robust mechanism with clear benchmark to ensure constant optimization of lab infrastructure and continuous development of lab staff, along with other research and lab development relevant tasks.

12.     Work closely with relevant stakeholders on guidelines for effectively sharing research lab equipment both internally and externally, including the online booking system.

13.     Perform other duties as assigned.

14.     University employees' job responsibilities will continue to expand in scope and depth as the University grows in size and complexity in its programs.

Skills & experience

Required Qualifications:

1.         Master’s degree in physical or life sciences with solid training in (particularly wet) lab methodologies obtained through experimental projects. Candidates with a relevant PhD degree and experience working in an international environment are encouraged to apply.

2.         Fluent in English and Mandarin, both in writing and oral communications.

3.         5 - 8 years’ experience in research support, particularly in tasks relevant to lab infrastructure development.

4.         Familiar with ERP and Lab Management System in a university context.

5.         Extensive knowledge in the international standards for the daily operation of scientific labs, particularly in the daily operation of wet labs.

6.         Experience in leading subordinate in the corresponding specialty.

7.         Knowledge in budgeting implementing financial plans.

How to Apply:

Please submit your formal application by searching the position on DKU recruitment portal.