Lab Operations Associate

JOB TITLE: LAB OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE, CHICAGO, IL

ABOUT PORTAL INNOVATIONS

Portal Innovations is a venture development engine focused on early-stage life science enterprises. Launched in Chicago in 2020, we deliver a crafted mix of management expertise, funding, and fully equipped lab space to turn biotech breakthroughs into businesses. We are strategically expanding our team as we prepare to grow our footprint across the U.S.

OVERVIEW

Portal Innovations is seeking a Lab Operations Associate to oversee the activities related to day-to-day operations of a multisite venture accelerator. The individual will benefit from the unique working and entrepreneurial environment of Portal Innovations.

Reporting to the Manager of Lab Operations and Director of Lab Operations, the Lab Operations Associate will assist in the routine operation of shared laboratory incubator spaces to provide full support to our resident companies and partners. We are looking for a multi-talented individual to support shared equipment and spaces. You should be a highly capable, self-directed individual who employs a high level of autonomy in your work while being able to work collaboratively within a small team.

Working collaboratively in a team-environment, the Lab Operations Associate is a dynamic individual who champions performance of the sites by assisting with facilities and laboratory operations, customer service delivery and environmental health/safety. A successful Lab Support Associate prioritizes duties by supporting continuous and measurable improvement within the accelerator model as reflected by achieving identifiable goals and metrics. The Lab Operations Associate serves as a member company relationship member and is responsible for communicating safety initiatives and other customer information for compliance with site SOPs.

This position provides an excellent opportunity to support promising startup companies in their most formative years while developing your own laboratory and business skills in a cutting-edge biotechnology facility.

MAJOR JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Facilities and Laboratory Operations

• Equipment Upkeep - Arrange lab equipment preventative maintenance (PM) maintain PM tracking software. Perform routine maintenance on shared equipment.
• Assist in the maintenance and servicing of laboratory equipment including daily tasks to ensure instruments are working properly, schedule preventative maintenance, troubleshoot routine issues
• Develop standard operating procedures for the start-up and shutdown of shared equipment

• Common Equipment Training - Provide basic operating training on common laboratory equipment. Assist with equipment troubleshooting, and supplemental resources. Assist in writing Work Instructions for equipment based on manuals/documentation provided by the manufacturer.
• Chemical and Biological Storage - Ensure hazardous and biohazardous materials are correctly handled and stored.
• Cold Storage - Maintain and monitor cryogenic gas and dry ice usage. Support monitoring of cold storage through software systems.
• Lab Maintenance - Support upkeep and cleanliness of common lab areas, including but not limited to, changing out gas cylinders, logging packages, and ensuring compliance with SOPs
• Assist in daily walkthroughs of the sites and help troubleshoot any issues that may arise
• Help Desk Management - Assist Help Desk Management Program. Triage/escalate member companies’ questions.
• Procurement Management - Assist in obtaining quotes, preparing purchase orders, following up with vendors for laboratory, office and facilities equipment, goods and consumables.
• Shipping and Receiving - Provide back-up support to ensure shipments are received, processed, and recipients notified utilizing package tracking software. Ensure unclaimed packages are properly stored.

Customer Service

• Member company Onboarding and Offboarding - Support member company onboarding and offboarding by assisting with laboratory/office preparation and communication with licensees.
• Specialty Capital Equipment Training - Notify Operations Manager of member companies request for specialty equipment training. Coordinate training.
• Facility Modification - Communicate to Operations Manager requests for modifications from member companies. Assist with escorting contractors and vendors, as needed.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

• EHS Policy Compliance - Provide support to staff, member companies, vendors and visitors with respect to customer EHS standards adherence.
• Safety Committee Meetings - Assist with the organization and preparation of Safety Committee meetings materials. Support execution of action items.
• On Site Emergency Response Team - Provide assistance to direct and account for persons during evacuations. Assist Operations Manager in completing incident reports.
• Training and Policies - Support SOP creation and validation.
• Site Audit Support - Coordinate with Operations team to prepare site for inspections within laboratories and facilities, EHS and security. Monitor completion of corrective actions.
• Assist liquid and solid waste pickups and proper storage of chemical and biohazard waste

Other

• Additional duties include keeping lab, office and kitchen spaces clean and well stocked and acting as a responder for equipment alarms and laboratory or facility emergencies
• On-site presence during core work hours required, occasional early morning, evening and/or weekend hours may be a requirement.
• May require out of state travel periodically to new Portal sites to assist with lab operations set up.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Those necessary to perform the job competently)

• Requires knowledge in using various instruments to prepare for and perform tests
• Strong communication skills
• Excellent Customer Service Skills; display a professional can-do attitude
• Perform duties with the highest regard for safety and quality
• Ability to understand and follow site protocols, policies and procedures
• Must be reliable, flexible, forward-thinking, motivated, and have the ability to act proactively.
• Must be able to lift up to 25lbs minimum and be able to stand for multiple hours at a time.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office with proficiency in Word and Excel
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to travel to other Portal national locations occasionally.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of one (1) year experience in a laboratory environment, experience in equipment cleaning and maintenance, chemical and biological waste management
• Bachelor of Science Degree, preferably in biology/chemistry, genetics, or related life sciences discipline
• Experience with HPLC and/or QQQ MS, a plus
• Experience working in a startup environment, a plus
• Familiarity with cellular, molecular, and microbiology techniques
• Outstanding organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks and/or projects, inventory management and ordering
• Customer service focused, with an excellent work ethic and an optimistic, can-do attitude
• Detail-oriented with specific attention to quality control and getting things right
• Personable and articulate, with strong written and verbal communication skills
• Desire to be part of a team-focused environment
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications
• Experience handling BSL-2 materials, hazardous chemicals and waste, and compressed gas
• Desire to work in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment, wear multiple hats
• Strong process optimization skills and scientific troubleshooting skills
• Strong verbal and written skills
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic, hands on, organized with strong ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment

Other:

Portal is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Portal requires employees to be fully vaccinated pursuant to Company policy. The purpose of this policy is to safeguard the health of our employees, their families, and the community at large from infectious disease that may be reduced by vaccinations. The company will make exceptions to this policy if required by applicable law and will consider requests for an exemption from this policy due to a medical reason, or because of a sincerely held religious belief, or any other exemptions that may be recognized by applicable law.

Work Authorization/Security-Clearance Requirements

Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Full-Time

COMPENSATION

Portal Innovations offers a competitive salary and benefits package appropriate for this position.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person