LaboratoryClassroom Services Coordinator

Apply Now

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Job Summary

The Department of Physics at the University of Michigan seeks a driven Laboratory/Classroom Services Coordinator to enhance our instructional capabilities in introductory physics courses. This role involves providing dynamic demonstrations of physics concepts and offering comprehensive support to our faculty. The ideal candidate will oversee all aspects of lecture demonstrations to advance the department's educational objectives.

Responsibilities*

• 40% - Classroom Support

• Coordinate the preparation, testing, scheduling, transport, operation, troubleshooting, and disassembly of lecture demonstrations, operating them during lectures as needed.

• Develop and maintain operating procedures, safety documentation, troubleshooting guides, media resources, and online catalog content. Specific attention to safety in handling hazardous equipment, following established guidelines and policies.

• Train instructors, students, and other staff in the safe and effective operation of scientific equipment and demonstrations.

• 15% - Outreach Support

• Provide direct support for our Saturday Morning Physics lecture series held on Saturday mornings during the fall and winter semesters.

• Support department outreach endeavors, including developing physics demonstrations for department outreach programs.

• 30% - Repair, Design, and Fabrication

• Research, design, fabricate, test, document, and implement new or redesigned demonstrations in response to faculty or management requests and identified instructional needs.

• 10% - Facility Maintenance

• Coordinate responses to classroom audio/visual, equipment, and facility needs.

• Coordinate and perform equipment maintenance and repairs, manage storage, inventory, and replacement planning.

• 5% - Process Improvement

• Apply professional development, technical research, and advances in instructional practice to improve laboratory and classroom services.

• Collaborate with the Laboratory Manager, faculty, and instructional staff to prioritize projects and meet overlapping course and outreach needs.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in physics or a comparable field, and 2-3 years of technical experience in a lab/classroom.
• Experience working with and repairing scientific laboratory equipment using basic tools.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and general computer skills.
• Ability to frequently move, transport, position, or maneuver objects weighing up to 50 pounds; remain in a stationary position; traverse work sites; and access materials at varying heights as needed to perform job duties. This role requires traveling between floors, including by stairs when an accessible alternative is unavailable, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to perform tasks while sitting and carrying out computer tasks.
• Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Desired Qualifications*

• Technical knowledge of electronics (such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, and function generators), computer interfaces (LabVIEW, Logger Pro, Graphical Analysis, etc.), and design software (Fusion 360, etc.).
• Experience in machine shop operations, including metalwork, woodwork, and 3D printing.
• Proficiency in repairing and maintaining scientific apparatus.
• Skills in audio/visual production and editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro/Photoshop).
• Strong understanding of first-year physics topics, including classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, and optics.
• Familiarity with teaching pedagogy and its application to enhance physics education.

Modes of Work

Onsite - position requires a fully onsite presence.

Additional Information

As one of the world's great liberal arts and sciences colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.