Lab Technician

Why This Role Matters: This position provides laboratory support for a variety of research projects focused on natural hazard resilience, including hail, wind, and fire topics. The primary role involves conducting systematic testing and experiments under the direction of supervisors and project leaders, recording data and observations as prescribed. The position contributes directly to the mission of advancing science -based solutions to mitigate property loss from natural disasters.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: Install, calibrate, operate, and maintain instrumentation and electrical equipment for laboratory and large -scale testing in hail, wind, and fire research. Support lab operations, including specimen preparation, ice ball production, impact testing, and documentation. Conduct material and component testing using all specialized systems, such as UTM, hail machine, COMET, Cone Calorimeter, and other environmental simulation equipment. Prepare, handle, and maintain test specimens and materials using hand tools and construction tools as needed. Collect, record, and analyze data using established platforms, ensuring data integrity, accuracy, and confidentiality. Develop and maintain laboratory work instructions, test procedures, and related documentation to ensure consistency and compliance. Take ownership of assigned lab systems, ensuring reliability, calibration accuracy, and readiness for testing while identifying opportunities for improvement or modernization. Oversee laboratory safety, ensuring adherence to all local, state, and federal regulations; maintain records of policies, training, and procedures. Collaborate with internal research teams, instrumentation, vendors, and peers to troubleshoot, execute experiments, and maintain efficient lab operations. Maintain laboratory facilities, equipment, and materials to ensure readiness for world -class testing and data collection. Contribute to process innovation and continuous improvement of laboratory operations. Assist with data collection and test support for long-term research initiatives such as the aging farm projects. Monitor and adjust workload priorities to accommodate changing project demands and operational schedules.