Research Equipment Planning Specialist

Job Summary

Assess equipment requests by conducting full lifecycle analysis of KAUST laboratory research equipment and providing technical reports to the manager.

Management of Research Equipment lifecycle

• Analyze research assets (SAP) records and develop lifecycle reports of critical research equipment.
• Liaise with the research asset support team in tracking, locating and disposing of laboratory equipment assets.
• Evaluate existing research equipment and related systems with respect to age, condition and technological status to determine the potential for reuse.
• Facilitates and tracks movement/transfer of equipment within and between laboratories and other facilities.
• Serves as liaison to finance relating to the valuation and depreciation of laboratory equipment.

Equipment Planning

• Review technical specification of equipment proposals and report on identical/similar existing KAUST research assets.
• Coordinate with Research and Core Laboratories to track and record laboratory equipment utilization rates.
• Interface with Laboratory Equipment Maintenance (LEM) team and Procurement Services to prioritize standardization of research equipment.
• Avoid duplication of equipment requests by providing newly appointed as well as existing faculty with technical specifications of similar existing research equipment.
• Support principle investigators with their capital equipment proposals from the initial phase to the final commissioning stage.
• Assist in developing and maintaining a centralized shared database for the most commonly used research equipment in KAUST laboratories.
• Effectively communicate equipment planning information to the project team to allow for successful projects completion.

Additional Specific tasks

• Ensure equipment proposals meet budgetary targets set by management.
• Maintaining the research equipment surplus program.

Knowledge and Experience

• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting
• Excellent communication skills in preparing documentation pertaining to equipment specifications and reports.
• Demonstrated knowledge in the areas of academic and industrial research
• Experience with research equipment plan drawings and working with engineers
• The ability to discuss equipment technology with multiple stakeholders
• Self-directed and motivated with the ability to work both independently and in a team environment
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task, with strong attention to detail
• Previous experience in utilizing research equipment as well as setting up laboratories.

Education and Certifications

• Minimum Master’s degree in engineering/material science or equivalent; PhD preferred
• Experience using data management system such as SAP or equivalent
• Experienced in Microsoft Office with excellent proficiency in Excel