Laboratory Coordinator III - Physics and Astronomy

University of Louisville•Louisville, KY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Louisville Department of Physics and Astronomy invites applications for a Laboratory Coordinator III to support undergraduate instructional laboratories and hands-on learning experiences in physics and astronomy. This position plays an important role in ensuring that laboratory and demonstration resources are available and functioning effectively for faculty, Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs), and students. The Laboratory Coordinator manages the day-to-day operation of undergraduate instructional laboratories, including preparing, testing, and staging experimental setups and equipment according to the instructional schedule. The position provides technical support for laboratory instruction by troubleshooting experimental setups and equipment, performing routine repairs, preventative maintenance and calibration, and identifying or providing replacement equipment and components as needed. The Laboratory Coordinator also provides technical assistance to faculty and GTAs and helps orient and train GTAs in the use of laboratory equipment and experimental setups. Working collaboratively with faculty, the Laboratory Coordinator assists with the development, testing, and implementation of new laboratory experiments and evaluates new instructional laboratory equipment. The position researches scientific equipment and replacement components, obtains specifications and cost estimates, coordinates approved purchases, and works with vendors to resolve equipment issues. The position also supports the department’s classroom instruction by organizing, preparing, testing, maintaining, and repairing lecture-demonstration equipment and assisting faculty with demonstrations as needed. Additional responsibilities include maintaining departmental equipment inventories, coordinating equipment relocations and surplus processes, maintaining appropriate technical documentation and records, and promoting safe laboratory operations.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED with 4 yrs of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Grade 3 (Hourly)

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in physics or a closely related field
Experience supporting or managing undergraduate physics instructional laboratories
Setting up and testing physics experiments and lecture demonstrations
Troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing scientific equipment
Working with basic electronics, computer interfacing, data-acquisition systems, and laboratory instrumentation
Evaluating and procuring scientific equipment and supplies

Responsibilities

Manages the day-to-day operation of undergraduate instructional laboratories, including preparing, testing, and staging experimental setups and equipment.
Provides technical support for laboratory instruction by troubleshooting experimental setups and equipment, performing routine repairs, preventative maintenance and calibration, and identifying or providing replacement equipment and components.
Provides technical assistance to faculty and GTAs and helps orient and train GTAs in the use of laboratory equipment and experimental setups.
Assists with the development, testing, and implementation of new laboratory experiments and evaluates new instructional laboratory equipment.
Researches scientific equipment and replacement components, obtains specifications and cost estimates, coordinates approved purchases, and works with vendors to resolve equipment issues.
Organizes, prepares, tests, maintains, and repairs lecture-demonstration equipment and assists faculty with demonstrations.
Maintains departmental equipment inventories.
Coordinates equipment relocations and surplus processes.
Maintains appropriate technical documentation and records.
Promotes safe laboratory operations.