Instructional Support Laboratory Technician

Job highlights
Identified by Google from the original job post
Qualifications
Familiarity with lab equipment, including specialized software for the integration of lab equipment with PCs
Supervisory capabilities and interpersonal skills are a necessary and important part of this job
Strong interest in educational experiments along with general 3D CAD/mechanical and hands-on skills
Record-keeping and administration experience commensurate with tracking the needs of ~50 graduate assistants teaching ~130 physics lab sections per semester
Benefits
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees
This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Introductory Physics Laboratory (IPL) supervisor, the Instructional Support Laboratory Technician will provide general support to the IPL as well as to the advanced laboratories, Physics demonstrations, and Physics workshop as needed
The Instructional Support Laboratory Technician is a vital member of the Physics Department teaching and instructional team
A team player, the Instructional Support Laboratory Technician will provide close support to the Introductory Physics Lab Supervisor and IPL Directors, while also providing leadership and daily guidance for graduate student Teaching Assistants (TAs) and undergraduate work-study students
This position will supervise graduate students and undergraduate students employed in the Introductory Physics Laboratory
Daily teaching lab inspections and coverage: Be present for the main lab shifts each day (starting at 8:00am, 10:30am, 11:45am, 1:35pm, and 2:50pm) to inspect the lab equipment for functionality, check for the presence and preparation of TAs, and help TAs and undergraduate students with various questions about educational experiments and class logistics
Setting up equipment and class scheduling: Help IPL supervisor with daily break-down and set-up of laboratory equipment; post signs and undergraduate student rosters; prepare a schedule for experimental equipment switches for each lab room; coordinate work study student shifts and manage their rotation of equipment for both regular day and evening classes, as well as for scheduled make-up labs at the end of the semester
IPL facilities operation and development: Instructional Support Laboratory Technician will become proficient in the maintenance and operation of IPL lab equipment and the associated computers and software; remain current on needed upgrades and troubleshoot known issues; identify problems and help to improve the experiments and the student learning experience; assist IPL faculty in the development of new educational experiments and physics demonstrations that strengthen physics courses and curricula
Teaching Assistants and undergraduate student oversight: Provide oversight and instruction to the graduate TAs who teach the IPL lab courses and the undergraduate student work-study employees who move equipment daily between 10 lab rooms and several stock rooms during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters
Participate in meetings with IPL staff and teaching personnel, particularly the orientation and general TA meetings at the beginning of each term
Monitoring supplies and stock rooms: Assist the TAs by providing required supplies and identifying faulty equipment during ongoing teaching laboratories
Maintain digital records of educational equipment and supplies
Make projections of needed consumables for lab courses
Organize and maintain the IPL stock rooms
Safety resource: Work with IPL staff, Department Safety Officer, College Safety Officer, and Environmental Health & Safety to help facilitate appropriate lab safety training for TAs
Ensure all IPL facilities are kept in inspection-ready condition
Help maintain IPL radioactive source log and inventory
Report any safety issues to Department and College Safety Officers
Other duties as assigned: Maintain the Physics demo room
Engage in timely TA training and carry out administrative duties necessary for the successful operation of the IPL teaching mission
Render assistance with lecture demonstrations and the Physics workshop as needed
Job description
Summary

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Introductory Physics Laboratory (IPL) supervisor, the Instructional Support Laboratory Technician will provide general support to the IPL as well as to the advanced laboratories, Physics demonstrations, and Physics workshop as needed.

The Instructional Support Laboratory Technician is a vital member of the Physics Department teaching and instructional team. A team player, the Instructional Support Laboratory Technician will provide close support to the Introductory Physics Lab Supervisor and IPL Directors, while also providing leadership and daily guidance for graduate student Teaching Assistants (TAs) and undergraduate work-study students.

This position will supervise graduate students and undergraduate students employed in the Introductory Physics Laboratory.

Responsibilities

Daily teaching lab inspections and coverage: Be present for the main lab shifts each day (starting at 8:00am, 10:30am, 11:45am, 1:35pm, and 2:50pm) to inspect the lab equipment for functionality, check for the presence and preparation of TAs, and help TAs and undergraduate students with various questions about educational experiments and class logistics.

Setting up equipment and class scheduling: Help IPL supervisor with daily break-down and set-up of laboratory equipment; post signs and undergraduate student rosters; prepare a schedule for experimental equipment switches for each lab room; coordinate work study student shifts and manage their rotation of equipment for both regular day and evening classes, as well as for scheduled make-up labs at the end of the semester.

IPL facilities operation and development: Instructional Support Laboratory Technician will become proficient in the maintenance and operation of IPL lab equipment and the associated computers and software; remain current on needed upgrades and troubleshoot known issues; identify problems and help to improve the experiments and the student learning experience; assist IPL faculty in the development of new educational experiments and physics demonstrations that strengthen physics courses and curricula.

Teaching Assistants and undergraduate student oversight: Provide oversight and instruction to the graduate TAs who teach the IPL lab courses and the undergraduate student work-study employees who move equipment daily between 10 lab rooms and several stock rooms during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. Participate in meetings with IPL staff and teaching personnel, particularly the orientation and general TA meetings at the beginning of each term.

Monitoring supplies and stock rooms: Assist the TAs by providing required supplies and identifying faulty equipment during ongoing teaching laboratories. Maintain digital records of educational equipment and supplies. Make projections of needed consumables for lab courses. Organize and maintain the IPL stock rooms.

Safety resource: Work with IPL staff, Department Safety Officer, College Safety Officer, and Environmental Health & Safety to help facilitate appropriate lab safety training for TAs. Ensure all IPL facilities are kept in inspection-ready condition. Help maintain IPL radioactive source log and inventory. Report any safety issues to Department and College Safety Officers.

Other duties as assigned: Maintain the Physics demo room. Engage in timely TA training and carry out administrative duties necessary for the successful operation of the IPL teaching mission. Render assistance with lecture demonstrations and the Physics workshop as needed.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required in an appropriate STEM field (physics with technical and computer skills preferred), as well as experience in a teaching lab environment.

Familiarity with lab equipment, including specialized software for the integration of lab equipment with PCs. Supervisory capabilities and interpersonal skills are a necessary and important part of this job. Strong interest in educational experiments along with general 3D CAD/mechanical and hands-on skills.

Record-keeping and administration experience commensurate with tracking the needs of ~50 graduate assistants teaching ~130 physics lab sections per semester.

Position Type

Research

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, ****** orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.