What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lab and Academic Specialist position at Michigan Technological University?
Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.
The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.
Summary
The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) department at Michigan Technological University is seeking a dedicated and skilled Laboratory and Academic Coordinator to manage and enhance our laboratory courses. This role is crucial for providing students with hands-on experience, maintaining cutting-edge equipment, and contributing to the development of our practical curriculum. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background and a passion for teaching and laboratory innovation.
Responsibilities And Essential Duties
One year (Master’s degree) or three to five years (Bachelor’s degree) of experience in industry or academia in an MAE-related position.
Desirable Education and/or Experience
Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)
1
FLSA Status
Exempt
Appointment Term
12 months
Pay Rate/Salary
The minimum salary for this position is $70,000. The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.
Title of Position Supervisor
Sr. Director of Operations and Finance
Posting Type
Internal & External
Dependent on Funding
No
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.
Other Conditions Of Employment
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.
In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)
The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.
Summary
The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) department at Michigan Technological University is seeking a dedicated and skilled Laboratory and Academic Coordinator to manage and enhance our laboratory courses. This role is crucial for providing students with hands-on experience, maintaining cutting-edge equipment, and contributing to the development of our practical curriculum. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background and a passion for teaching and laboratory innovation.
Responsibilities And Essential Duties
- Assist in the implementation of new laboratory experiments and course materials for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering laboratory (practice) courses to ensure alignment with curriculum objectives and industry standards.
- Deliver engaging and practical instruction for multiple sections of MAE laboratory courses, guiding students through practical exercises and reinforcing theoretical concepts.
- Provide hands-on support and technical guidance to students during laboratory sessions, troubleshooting equipment, and assisting with experimental procedures.
- Manage, maintain, and upgrade MAE laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and software to ensure optimal functionality, safety, and readiness for instructional use.
- Assess student performance in laboratory settings, providing constructive feedback on technical skills and understanding.
- Serve as liaison and host for prospective student inquiries and visits.
- Collaborate with MAE faculty to integrate laboratory activities with lecture content and contribute to continuous course improvement.
- Assist in the training and direction of Graduate Teaching Assistants and undergraduate laboratory assistants and graders.
- Provide assistance with undergraduate advising activities as required.
- Develop and deliver departmental outreach activities.
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job responsibility satisfactorily. The required qualifications listed are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Master’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or a closely related field, or a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering with appropriate years of related experience.
- Demonstrated experience in a laboratory setting, including equipment operation, maintenance, and experimental design for both physical and virtual/remote environments.
- Strong understanding of fundamental MAE concepts and practical applications.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively instruct and assist students.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to follow safety requirements, identify unsafe environment or situation, educate students on the safe operation of the laboratory equipment and best practices for the laboratory environment in cooperation with the department safety officer.
One year (Master’s degree) or three to five years (Bachelor’s degree) of experience in industry or academia in an MAE-related position.
Desirable Education and/or Experience
- Experience with standard MAE laboratory software (e.g., MATLAB, LabVIEW, Siemens Test.Lab, Amesim)
- Prior teaching or instructional experience at the university level
- Familiarity with curriculum development and assessment practices
- Experience with safety protocols and best practices in a laboratory environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively instruct and assist students.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to follow safety requirements, identify unsafe environment or situation, educate students on the safe operation of the laboratory equipment and best practices for the laboratory environment in cooperation with the department safety officer.
- Demonstrated ability to work with faculty members to develop and deliver course material in laboratories.
- Demonstrated ability to succeed in recruitment activities, for example, summer youth programs.
- Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with people with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.
Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment
- Employee Safety Overview
- Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
- Annual Data Security Training
- Annual Title IX Training
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)
1
FLSA Status
Exempt
Appointment Term
12 months
Pay Rate/Salary
The minimum salary for this position is $70,000. The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.
Title of Position Supervisor
Sr. Director of Operations and Finance
Posting Type
Internal & External
Dependent on Funding
No
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.
Other Conditions Of Employment
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.
In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)
Salary : $70,000