Instructional Supervisor/Lab Coordinator

University of Washington • Seattle, WA

15h • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Washington Biology Department is seeking an innovative, team-oriented individual to join their introductory series teaching team as the lab coordinator for Biol 200. This role focuses on supporting student-centered teaching of core concepts and skills in cellular, molecular, and developmental biology. Biol 200 is a high-impact course that enrolls a large number of students each quarter and is taught by a team of four faculty and graduate student teaching assistants. The successful candidate will contribute to creating an equitable and inclusive learning community by supporting faculty in using active learning techniques to help students develop high-level reasoning skills and scientific proficiency. This position requires a collaborative approach to support the mission of the university and ensure the uniform excellence of undergraduate learning in lecture and labs. The lab coordinator will develop procedures to support themselves, faculty, TAs, and students, with an emphasis on efficiency and student learning. Planning for future quarters is essential, requiring the ability to manage both current and future needs simultaneously. Due to the interactive nature of the role, this position is expected to be on campus five days a week. The lab coordinator will provide crucial support and guidance to rotating faculty and TAs, many of whom may be new to teaching large introductory courses. Ensuring uniformity in the lab experience and achieving learning goals with diverse student populations and rotating instructors presents a significant challenge.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM or related fields, OR equivalent work experience in STEM or related fields
• Four years of experience in higher education through teaching, research, and/or program management, OR relevant work experience

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with teams, fostering teamwork, and leading collaborative initiatives
• Demonstrated commitment to building respectful and inclusive environments, ability to build relationships, establish collaborative partnerships, and work with a wide range of constituencies with diplomacy and tact; demonstrated ability to lead discussions to consensus
• Strong background in modern molecular lab techniques or scientific research in a related field
• Team-oriented; able to work well with a diverse array of faculty, TAs, & students
• Strong organizational skills and experience balancing complex logistics and multiple simultaneous tasks

Responsibilities

• Attend lecture, manage polling devices, and troubleshoot in-class tech issues
• Answer student questions during and outside of lecture
• Prepare and transport printed materials to lecture (exams, in-class activities, etc.)
• Handle all course logistics not under the purview of faculty including grade records, scheduling problems, academic misconduct administration, etc.
• Collaborate with faculty, TAs, and instructional staff to develop, plan, test, & coordinate laboratory exercises
• Revise and produce quarterly lab manual
• In collaboration with faculty instructor, oversee and participate in course grading
• Communicate with DRS and students with DRS accommodations.
• Work with department and university staff to ensure course materials and websites comply with accessibility standards.
• Manage course webpages and coordinate updates with faculty; configure online exercises as needed; arrange for lecture video-recording; interact with departmental computing staff when necessary
• Organize, set up, break down and oversee BIO 200 laboratories.
• Locate, prepare, and order lab materials and equipment.
• Be available during laboratory sections to support TAs and, on an as needed basis, cover laboratory sections if TAs are absent
• Work with instructional services manager to monitor course fee expenditures and laboratory budgets
• Maintain compliance of laboratory spaces with UW Environmental Health and Safety guidelines.
• Work with faculty to support TA professional development through planned activities, mentorship, and feedback
• Present content and technical aspects of each week’s lab activity during weekly TA meetings
• Coordinate exam and assignment grading.
• Train TAs on grading best practices and using grading software.
• Explain rubric and grading practices to TAs for each assignment, answer TA questions regarding grading.
• Coordinate TA training, scheduling, and preparation for laboratory sections each quarter
• Work with multiple faculty instructors to maintain course documentation across quarters
• Facilitate monthly meetings of the faculty team to maintain course continuity
• Use collaborative decision making processes to regularly review course policies and practices and update based on student, faculty, and institutional feedback

Benefits

• Outstanding benefits
• Professional growth opportunities
• Unique resources
• Environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees