BUILDING MANAGER

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As theScience Facilities Manager, you'll be a vital part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary community supporting faculty, staff, and students as they pursue innovative teaching and research across Trinity's science facilities. Your work ensures that every learner and researcher has a safe, functional, and inspiring environment in which to thrive.

Be Bold.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Infrastructure & Research Operations, the Science Facilities Manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of Trinity's science facilities, ensuring safe, reliable, and functional environments for teaching and research. The role provides operational oversight of laboratory infrastructure, shared equipment, and facility readiness, working closely with faculty, departments, and Facilities Management (FMD). This position supports emergency response, safety compliance, minor renovation coordination, and the ongoing maintenance of shared research environments across multiple buildings.

What You'll Do

Science Facilities Management

• Manage, oversee, and monitor the physical, environmental, and security conditions of Trinity's science facilities, including classrooms, offices, teaching labs, research labs, shared equipment spaces, and support areas.
• Coordinate with FMD and building users to plan and communicate utility shutdowns, preventive maintenance, and repairs. Support continuity of research and instructional activities during building system impacts.
• Clarify and resolve facilities-related issues, submitting and tracking work orders and service requests to FMD.
• Conduct routine building rounds and inspections. Meet regularly with FMD maintenance and custodial teams to monitor service levels, address issues, and escalate concerns as needed.
• Represent Trinity and faculty interests in all facilities-related discussions with FMD, vendors, and contractors.
• Assist the Assistant Director in prioritizing repair and renewal projects for building systems serving science facilities.

Research Operations & Lab Infrastructure Support

• Provide operational support for specialized research infrastructure, including fume hoods, cold rooms, autoclaves, tissue culture rooms, RO/DI water, compressed gases, and vacuum systems.
• Coordinate with FMD shops, vendors, and departments on equipment installation, maintenance, and emergency repairs.
• Oversee minor non-capital laboratory renovations and modifications, including lab decommissioning, relocation, startup, and equipment installations.
• Monitor day-to-day use of shared lab equipment rooms and building-level research support spaces.
• Support Trinity's planning efforts for lab swing space and long-range infrastructure renewal by participating in lab decommissioning and equipment transition planning.

Laboratory Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness

• Serve as Trinity's key point of contact, alongside the Assistant Director, for laboratory safety and building compliance in coordination with the Office of Environmental Safety (OESO), Fire & Life Safety, FMD, and the City of Durham Fire Marshal.
• Support inspections by following up with department business managers, faculty, and staff to address deficiencies and maintain operational readiness.
• Assist with building-specific signage, safety communications, and lab compliance with OESO protocols for hazardous materials and regulated research activities.
• In emergency situations such as system shutdowns, lab evacuations, or water events, coordinate with FMD, OESO, and Emergency Management on response and recovery planning. Ensure communication between affected departments and Trinity leadership.
• Coordinate laboratory access and manage card/key permissions for shared research spaces, maintaining secure and up-to-date access records in coordination with central access control systems.

Shared Equipment & Inventory Management

• Oversee operational readiness and preventive maintenance coordination for shared research infrastructure (e.g., fume hoods, cold rooms, autoclaves, etc.).
• Provide logistics support for the connection or removal of research equipment tied to building systems, coordinating with vendors and FMD.
• Maintain Trinity's centralized inventory system for shared research equipment, developed in collaboration with the Assistant Director. Coordinate updates for condition, location, and service records.
• Provide optional support for tracking PI-owned equipment to assist with long-range planning and continuity, while departments remain responsible for service and certification.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree or three years of directly related experience providing the ability to coordinate activities, analyze diverse situations, and recommend effective solutions.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in building operations, facilities support, or research environments.
• Experience should include:




• Coordination with facilities and safety partners
• Support for laboratory infrastructure and shared equipment
• Engagement with vendor contracts and service budgeting




• Experience in university or research settings is strongly preferred.

Skills

• Strong ability to build positive relationships with faculty, staff, and facilities partners.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and problemsolving abilities in dynamic academic and research settings.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while remaining responsive to daily operational needs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with project management or facilities tracking systems; ability to learn Duke systems for work orders, space, and inventory.
• Experience coordinating vendor service contracts and supporting operational budgets.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting a culture of safety, including reporting concerns and following established protocols.
• Ability to interpret cut sheets, construction documents, technical reports, and equipment specifications.
• Capacity to support compliance with university and regulatory safety standards across laboratory and research environments.

Working Conditions

• This position is based on-site.
• In support of continuity of operations, this role may require occasional availability outside standard business hours to coordinate with facilities and other service providers to address priority issues.

Choose Duke.

Joining Duke means becoming part of a community dedicated to academic excellence, operational integrity, and collaborative problemsolving. Your work in this role directly contributes to the success of worldclass researchers, instructors, and students who rely on wellmaintained, safe, and resilient scientific environments.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help us build a stronger, smarter, and more connected future across Duke's scientific landscape.