Lab Technician (w/ Curriculum Development Input) at University of San Diego

Full details at highered

Application due April 30th

Salary: Approx $50K

GENERAL PURPOSE:
The general purpose of this position is to provide technical support for the experimental activities undertaken by the Physics Department in its teaching and research laboratories in the Donald P. Shiley Center for Science  and Technology. Such support includes oversight of the preparation of experiments conducted during laboratory classes, supervision and training of student workers, serving as the Departmental Safety Representative, managing the Physics inventory and hazardous waste, ordering equipment, supplies and chemicals, and managing the Machine Shop.

Technical support for Physics and Biophysics Curriculum and Faculty

• Setup, maintain and tear down laboratory class experiments and lecture demonstrations. Must develop a working knowledge of all laboratory experiments in the physics curriculum.
  
• Provide input on lower division lab design and most effective equipment to achieve laboratory goals
  
• Provide input on most effective lecture demonstration equipment to achieve desired goals
  
• Manage equipment and experiments for upper-division laboratory courses
  
• Manage equipment and experiments associated with independent student research projects
  
• Supervise students conducting select research projects focused on experiment design and
  equipment development and characterization.
  
• Work with lead laboratory instructors to design/maintain/update course equipment lists.
  
• Train new faculty and adjunct faculty how to operate equipment when needed.
  
• Repair old equipment when necessary, and assist in bringing new equipment “on-line”.
  
• Organize and maintain all Physics laboratory preparation rooms and stock rooms.
  
• Work with the Building Manager and the other Laboratory Technicians to organize and
  maintain shared spaces. 
  

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
The Laboratory Technician II supervises all work-study students assigned to the Physics Department. He or she is responsible for providing safety training to work study students and managing approvals related to safety training and key card access of undergraduate research

students in faculty laboratories. He or she provides machining tools training to students and faculty as necessary, and coordinates work schedules with other laboratory technicians, lab preparation personnel, and student workers to insure class preparations are met by established deadlines.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibilities described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A master's degree in Physics or a related field from an accredited university is required. Coursework must include a minimum of 2 years of physics with laboratory. Experience in experimental physics research and/or instruction is preferred. Other requirements include:

• • The ability and willingness to maintain common physics instrumentation and to train and
    supervise undergraduate workers.
    
  • A working knowledge and experience with undergraduate physics laboratory curriculum.
    
  • A desire to develop and test experiments for undergraduate laboratory courses, and work
    with physics faculty to achieve course goals.
    
  • General office skills needed to manage the equipment inventory and hazardous waste.
    
  • Training will be required in Oracle system implemented at USD for purchasing, budgeting
    and accounting.