Physics Instructional Lab Specialist

Job Summary

Reporting to the Instructional Labs Manager and the Faculty Director of Physics Teaching Laboratories, the Instructional Lab Specialist plays an integral role in supporting the connections between curricula and the laboratory learning environment. The Instructional Lab Specialist thrives on variety in their daily work and on interaction with faculty and students.

Auto req ID

57269BR

Job Code

405024 Technical Professional (N)

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Business Title

Physics Instructional Lab Specialist

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

056

Time Status

Full-time

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in physics or related field required.
  
  
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in an academic or laboratory setting.
  
  
• Experience coding in at least one standard programming language (Python, Matlab, C, Julia, etc.)
  
  

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced degree in Physics preferred.
  
  
• Experience designing and building experiments from conception to actualization.
  
  
• Strong analytical, mechanical and problem-solving skills.
  
  
• Ability to prioritize and effectively execute tasks. Strong organizational skills, creativity, motivation, and communication (oral and written) required.
  
  
• Willingness to tackle multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic team environment.
  
  

• Experience with shop practices including metal cutting, woodworking and modern fabrication tools such as laser cutters and 3D printers.
  
  

Additional Information

All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

This is a term position, with the possibility to be extended for a second term or consideration as a regular role, depending on business need.

Department

Physics

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Schedule

35 hours per week

Job Function

Technical

Position Description

Reporting to the Instructional Labs Manager and the Faculty Director of Physics Teaching Laboratories, the candidate will collaborate closely with physics professors and preceptors to support pedagogical objectives.

Design and Development

Works closely with instructors to develop, test and improve lab activities and experiments. Designs coding activities that support our mission to teach coding as an experimental skill, both for controlling experiments and performing data analysis. Uses experience, knowledge and insight to understand if additional technical modifications are needed to achieve the educational goals of an experiment or activity.

Organization & Administration

Organizes and maintains physical lab equipment, lab computers, and the lab space. Maintains documentation of lab activities and experiments on the lab website and staff wiki. Manages and tracks safety training for the Science Center machine shops and labs for undergraduate students, teaching fellows, preceptors, and staff in collaboration with EH&S. Establishes, maintains, and documents best practices regarding proper safety protocols in the laboratory to ensure consistency in training and compliance with safety procedures. Serves as coordinator of lab space assignments, lab materials, and instrumentation with Extension School, Summer School and other courses and Harvard entities that require use of Physics resources. Prepares and manages annual equipment and operational budget, orders supplies, and tracks inventory.

Fabrication & Repair

Troubleshoots, diagnoses, maintains, and repairs mechanical and electrical equipment. Sets up and troubleshoots computer-based lab activities and interfaces computers with experiments. Uses the machine shop and the Maker Shop to build equipment for new experiments.

Laboratory Support

Act as a liaison between physics lab courses and the Maker Shop to facilitate physics lab students’ use of the space. Sets up and dismantles experiments in courses with multiple copies of apparatus. Provides technical expertise and training to instructors regarding lab equipment and experiment set-up and breakdown. Seamlessly and flexibly provides coverage for unplanned gaps or shortages in laboratory staffing.

School/Unit

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Physical Requirements

Continuous walking, standing, sitting, and manual dexterity. Frequent bending, lifting, carrying (up to 50 lbs), handling, and reaching. Occasional pushing, pulling, squatting, and climbing.

Working Conditions

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements . Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/ .

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.