Lab Planner

A Lab Planner will be responsible for assisting the laboratory project planning effort toward the successful completion of complex technology facilities; provides overall programming, master planning, lab design planning; communicates with clients/user groups to understand project requirements.

Common and baseline responsibilities of a LAB PLANNER, include but are not limited to:

Leads with advanced technical knowledge in the laboratory planning and programming of various- sized pharmaceutical, academic research, biotech, or other emerging technical facilities.

• Provides technical planning expertise and leadership for laboratory facilities in the areas of programming, design, fit-out planning, equipment planning, MEP systems integration planning casework specification and construction administration.
• Participates in user group meetings (heads of departments, specialists, ) to collect program needs for laboratory specifications in technical facilities.
• Develops a comprehensive understanding of clients’ program requirements and standards and policies for completion.
• Assists in the design development, modification and/or review of laboratory planning concepts for clients, designers and project team.
• Anticipates and develops solutions to technical and design problems following established format.
• Develops and maintains excellent relationships with existing and potential clients. Participates in selected marketing and business development opportunities.
• Incorporates and integrates Living Design solutions.
• Actively seeks new knowledge in the design and planning of laboratories.
• May lead periodic project meetings and presentations; ensure client is adequately briefed on project.
• Assures document standards are met and archives documents.
• May prepare 2D and 3D presentation/design drawings and build models for client/project team.
• Actively participates in industry associations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• 10+ years relevant Lab Planning Experience
• Project experience demonstrates significant involvement in science/technology/research facility, lab design, including the design of traditional laboratories, production facilities, computational research, and higher education science teaching spaces
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture required
• Master’s degree
• Requires 5 plus year’s progressive experience focused on programming and planning of all phases of a variety of laboratory types such as: vivarium, biocontainment, research, teaching (science), pharmaceutical, public health, clinical, process, and manufacturing facilities.
• Demonstrates creativity, passion, and interest in design and planning of laboratories within technical
• Knowledge of technical and regulatory requirements for laboratory design. Knowledge of laboratory programming delivery and how design impacts those systems – including space, operational, and equipment programming, as well as MEP systems
• Knowledge of laboratory planning, design, construction documents, construction administration, and project construction cost control for lab
• Knowledge of sustainability, integrated design, and LEED guidelines. Possess strong hand and advanced CAD drafting
• Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup, and InDesign graphic software
• Proficiency in Revit or another BIM platform
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing; ability to convey laboratory planning needs to designers and other team members
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines
• Licensure strongly preferred
• LEED GA or within 6 months of hire

Qualified and interested candidates should submit a resume and work samples. Include your resume and a compact, representative sample of your work (no larger than 10MB).

Salary Range Information

We foster a culture that is diverse and inclusive and strive for pay practices that are fair, and competitive and reflect our commitment to pay equity. Our compensation decisions include but are not limited to a candidate’s qualifications including skill sets, education, experience and training, licensure and certifications credentials if applicable, and business-related factors. This practice extends to all employees, including performance considerations for merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. We additionally review our pay practices, conduct pay equity audits, and ensure our managers are trained in our pay practices on an annual basis. At the time of posting this job advertisement, commensurate with qualifications, the annual pay salary range for this position in Chicago is between $90,400 and $120,400.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At Perkins&Will we believe that inclusion spurs creativity and that innovation is born from an engaged culture of diverse people + ideas. By moving beyond barriers and stereotypes of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status; we are committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities and clients we serve.


"Design has the power to inspire joy, uplift lives, and strengthen the spirit of community."

*Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy (“EEO”), which is part of the Company’s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Perkins&Will will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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