The Department of Physics seeks an Academic Coordinator to coordinate the lower division laboratory course activities for the Physics Department. This involves oversight of the laboratory instruction of the service courses and lower division sequence for the majors, totaling over 4200 students in 206 sections during the academic year and summer. The course laboratory sections include Basic Physics 3L, 4L, 5L, Introductory Physics 6AL, BL, CL, and General Physics 25L.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Lab Coordination/Training/Safety
Responsible for management and oversight of the Introductory Experimental Physics sequence which includes providing all materials, equipment, safety requirements, and training and space recommendations necessary to run the labs. In consultation with Instructional Program Manager and course instructors, implement the laboratory curricula and assist TAs with the laboratory instruction as needed. Write pre- and post- lab quizzes, lab report practices, and other instructional materials as needed. Coordinate the laboratory teaching schedule with the teaching assistants, graders and tutors, and meet with each laboratory section at the start of each quarter to resolve enrollment difficulties. Conduct weekly training meetings for the teaching assistants and prepare or direct the preparation of the laboratory materials. Weekly meetings include discussion of TA concerns and suggestions that may have arisen the previous week; review lab and safety issues on an ongoing basis. Regularly inspect and maintain laboratory apparatus to promote a safe and reliable lab environment. Repair or replace inoperative or outdated equipment.
Collaborate with Instructional Program Manager and Course Instructors on the design and implementation of new and modified course experiments. Coordinate changes in lab exercises and materials to match curriculum as needed. Implement set-up/tear-down of experiments in the labs regularly. Modify existing equipment or specify procurement of necessary apparatus to meet instructional needs in the instructional labs. In consultation with the Instructional Program Manager author and co-author laboratory manuals and updates for the lower division sequences. Cross-train to provide back-up support to other Program Coordinators and Lecture Demonstrations.
Administration
Maintain inventory and provide cost projections for regular replacement of equipment as well as infrequent, large-scale purchases. Regularly provide enrollment projections to the Instructional Program Manager and Academic Advisors.
Maintain inventory and provide cost projections for regular replacement of equipment as well as infrequent, large-scale purchases. Regularly provide enrollment projections to the Instructional Program Manager and Academic Advisors.
Responsible for the ordering of equipment for the lower division labs, comparing component vendors for quality, compatibility, price. Produce quarterly lab schedule matrices for all lower division instructional lab time slots, as well as individual lab schedules during the academic year and summer session.
These duties require an extensive understanding of the course materials and course objectives with the ability to assess how material from different aspects of the course(s) relate to one another, as well as the safe application of each learning outcome as detailed in the course material. Knowledge of health and safety regulatory requirements associated with experimental laboratory instruction is essential.
At minimum, candidates must be within three months of graduation for a bachelor's degree in physics or a related field at the time of application. Preferred applicants will have prior experience working in an instructional lab and with scientific laboratory techniques; knowledge of computer systems, software and hardware common to instructional laboratories; excellent written and verbal communication skills; and knowledge of managing inventory and procuring supplies for instructional labs.
Position is anticipated to begin in July 2019.
Applicants should submit their cover letter, CV and contacts for two references on or before June 21, 2019 for primary consideration. All applications must be received through UC Recruit. Interested applicants should apply at the following link:https://recruit.ap.ucsb.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
