This Lab Manager position supports both the teaching and research in the department, ensuring that both lower and upper level labs are setup and maintained, grad student teaching assistants scheduled, and demo equipment purchased, maintained, and deployed. Faculty research is supported in both the hardware and IT realms. This position also is in charge of the department machine shop.

Major Job Duties
50% Lab support/teaching support

• Teaching lab setup and teardown for each week's labs
• Maintaining and procuring teaching lab equipment
• Maintaining teaching demo equipment and assisting with demonstrations
• Construct the schedules for teaching assistants

20% Fabricating

• Assisting students and faculty with small jobs or developing items.
• Refurbishing items from labs and creating new apparatus.

10% Safety

• Serve as department safety coordinator and liaison with the university ES&H office
• Ensure that both teaching and research labs are following safety procedures

15% IT

• Maintenance of teaching lab computers
• Tracking product usage, acquiring new products, deploying images, troubleshooting.
• Assisting the department with IT needs outside of the labs

5% Other Projects that don't really fit into these categories. Eg,

• Making displays for the department
• Preparing lab/office spaces, space management
• Capital equipment management

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS plus at least four years of experience or advanced degree and two years of experience, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal eight years.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis and more than 50 pounds occasionally.
• Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and computer aided design.
• Ability to convey clear directions to students and faculty when doing laboratory activities.
• The ability to assess potential budget impacts of purchases and activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in physics, engineering, or a related field
• Ability to comprehend and implement physics lab techniques and procedures
• Demonstrated record of safety training and experience leading training sessions.
• Experience in welding, cutting and grinding of metals to fabricate various tools and equipment.
• Experience with electro-mechanical repair and troubleshooting.
• Computer skills with linux, programming, and scientific computing.

About the Department

The UMD Department of Physics and Astronomy teaches general physics to most science and engineering majors at UMD, advanced physics to a smaller number of Physics and Engineering Physics majors, and has a Physics MS program that supports both the undergraduate teaching and faculty research. The research topics in the department include experimental neutrino physics, physical oceanography, soft condensed matter, quantum gravity, and exoplanets.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Application review will start on July 10th, 2024. The anticipated start date is mid August 2024.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).