Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Lab Instructional Assistant, U Chicago

https://jobopportunities.uchicago.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp

Position Information
Requisition Number
096788  
Departmental Job Title
Instructional Assistant  
Type of Position
Staff  
Number of Positions Available
 
Division
Physical Sciences  
Department
22255-PSD-Physics  
*Standard Summary
Supports instruction in teaching laboratories or classrooms by providing miscellaneous services such as: preparation and testing of lecture demonstrations consistent with course content; working with faculty or staff to determine the suitability of demonstrations for specific lectures; informing faculty of new demonstration developments and materials; instructing faculty in the proper usage of technical scientific apparatus; promoting safety in handling hazardous equipment and materials; researching and developing new lecture demonstrations and making improvements on existing demonstrations; creating manuals, syllabi, and other instructional materials; recommending purchases of computers, software, and technical apparatus and supplies; creating and updating a lecture demonstration website; providing general audio/visual support; maintaining and documenting the use of demonstration equipment or materials; and identifying building maintenance problems. May assist students with experimental techniques and interpretation of data.  
About the Unit
 
Unit Job Summary
Instructional Assistant: Works in support of the Physics instructional laboratories and lecture demonstration facilities. 

Essential Functions: 
In the instructional laboratory setting: teaches undergraduate and graduate students physics concepts, data acquisition and analysis techniques, computer programming, and safety procedures. Develops and constructs new experiments; Improves existing experiments. Writes and edits laboratory manuals used by students. Helps develop and set up lecture demonstrations. Instructs faculty, students and other staff on the proper use of apparatus and software; Trains graduate student teaching assistants; Sets up, tests and repairs scientific apparatus. Recommends and specifies hardware, software and expendables; Supervises student helpers. Supports outreach programs; Contacts apparatus and software vendors to help solve technical problems; Writes computer software. Develops and maintains local area computer network; Works with NSIT to maintain Kersten internet access. Constructs and maintains website; Maintains database of experiment equipment lists. 

Other Functions: 
Helps faculty and students in Physics and other departments with special projects and problems; Works with regulatory agencies and safety officials; Works with Kersten security and access control systems. Supports special events held in Kersten; Identifies building maintenance needs and reports problems to Facilities. 
 
Education
Required: Master's degree or higher in physics; Ph.D. in physics, preferred.  
Experience
Required: 
A working knowledge of experimental physics and mathematics required. 
 
Competencies
Excellent organizational, communication, computer, and writing skills required. 
Ability to work well with a broad range of people required. 
Ability to work independently required. 
Desire to innovate required. 
Ability to design and construct electronic circuits and mechanical systems required. 
Ability to use machine tools for metal and woodworking required. 
Ability to analyze complex physics concepts and explain them to others required. 
Ability to multi-task in moderately stressful conditions required. 
Ability to be self-motivated required. 
Ability to evaluate complex situations and establish priorities required. 
Ability to lift moderately heavy objects required. 
Full range of motion required. 
Ability to climb a ladder and/or use electric lift up to 20 feet required. 
May require limited work on apparatus located on flat roof of building. 
 
Required Job Seeker Documents
Resume
Cover Letter 
 
Optional Job Seeker Documents
 
Work Location
Campus - Hyde Park  
Other Work Location
 
Work Schedule
Full-Time  
Hours/Week
37.5  
If other than regular hours (M-F, 8:30-5:00) please detail
Regular  
Benefits Eligible?
Yes  
Union (If applicable):
Non-Union  
Pay Grade
NA  
Pay Range
Depends on Qualifications  
Pay Frequency
Monthly  
Does this position require incumbent to operate a vehicle on the job?
No