Academic Lab Manager II

Marshall University; Huntington (WV); On-site; USD 38,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks an Academic Lab Manager II to oversee the ceramics and sculpture studios. This role involves supervising student employees, ensuring safe practices, and managing equipment maintenance. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor of Fine Arts and have experience with various tools and materials in an art studio setting. Join a vibrant community dedicated to fostering creativity and excellence in the arts, where your contributions will enhance the educational experience for students and staff alike. Embrace this opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Winter Break

Annual and Sick Leave

Health Insurance

Educational/Tuition Benefits

Retirement Plans

Life Insurance

Wellness Programs

Qualifications

• Ability to oversee skilled and unskilled persons in art studios.
• Experience with 3D studio materials and processes.
• Proven ability to supervise and train individuals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee work activities of student employees in art studios.
• Maintain health and safety in ceramics and sculpture labs.
• Manage inventory and order supplies as needed.

Skills

Supervision of skilled and unskilled individuals

Critical thinking and problem-solving

Operating and maintaining power tools

Knowledge of ceramics and sculpture materials

Training and development of procedures

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts in a studio art discipline

MFA in sculpture or ceramics

Tools

Table saw

Band saw

Miter saw

MIG/TIG welders

CNC routers

3D printers

Gas and electric kilns

Pottery wheels

Clay mixers

Job description

Get to Know Us!

Marshall University is a public comprehensive university with a rich history as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in West Virginia. Founded in 1837 and named after Chief Justice John Marshall, definer of the Constitution, Marshall University advances the public good through innovative, accredited educational programs. We are located in downtown Huntington, West Virginia, with additional locations in South Charleston, Point Pleasant, Teays Valley and Beckley. Marshall University’s mission, inspired by our Vision and Creed, includes a commitment to:

• Offer a wide range of high quality, affordable, and accessible undergraduate, graduate, and professional education that prepares students to think, learn, work, and live in an evolving global society.
• Create opportunities and experiences to foster understanding and appreciation of the rich diversity of thought and culture.
• Maintain a dynamic intellectual, artistic, and cultural life by promoting and supporting research and creative activities by undergraduates, graduates, and faculty.
• Contribute to the quality of life of the community, region, and beyond through applied research, economic development, health care, and cultural enrichment.
• Cultivate the development of an inclusive, just, and equitable community.

Come Meet Marshall and discover what it means to be part of the Marshall University family!

Come join our Herd!

We are committed to attracting and retaining quality faculty and staff. In doing so, Marshall University offers outstanding benefit packages to eligible employees only. (E-Class in the job posting). Marshall University Research Corporation ( MURC ) employees have different benefit options than those listed below.

• A great highlight in December is that Marshall University employees receive almost two weeks off for Winter Break!
• Annual and Sick Leave – Classified Staff, Non-Classified Staff and 12-month Faculty earn up to 24 days of annual leave per year (max 360 hours) and up to 18 days of sick leave per year. ) Employee Leave
• Health Insurance – Marshall University offers health insurance through West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency ( PEIA ). There are seven (7) health benefit plans.
• Educational/Tuition Benefits – Marshall University provides tuition benefits to regular employees (after probationary period) and their dependent children.
• Retirement Plans – Marshall University offers retirement through Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association ( TIAA ). Full-time benefits eligible employees must participate in the mandated retirement plan (401(a)).
• Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance ($10,000) at no cost and may purchase optional life insurance coverage with pre-tax earnings.
• Wellness Programs – PEIA provides various care management programs and the Pathways to Wellness program.

We are . . Marshall!

Position Information

Position Title

Position Title Academic Lab Manager II

Banner Position Number

Banner Position Number 000945

E-Class

E-Class CX - Class Exempt FT - .53 or >

Department

Department School of Art and Design - MU2220

Job Description

· Demonstrated ability to oversee skilled and unskilled persons using hand and power equipment in the art warehouse ceramics and sculpture studios in supervised and unsupervised settings,

· Delegating and directing the work activities of student employees,

· Ability to prioritize and complete an array of tasks in a complex and ever-changing work environment,

· Providing training of, developing procedures, and commitment to safe work practices in the laboratory to maintain the health and safety of all students and personnel in the ceramics and sculpture studios,

· Sculpture: proven experience operating, maintaining, and repairing major stationary shop equipment including but not limited to miter saw, table saw, band saw, jointer, planer arc, MIG / TIG welders, CNC routers, air compressors, and 3D printers,

· Ceramics: proven experience operating, maintaining, and repairing gas and electric kilns, pottery wheels, clay mixers, ceramic shell casting systems, and all hand-held power tools.

· Ceramics: clay, glaze, and casting slip mixing; loading and unloading of kilns and maintaining kiln carts and kiln ledger sheets in the kiln room,

· Experience with a wide range of 3D studio materials and processes in sculpture and ceramics, and the ability to guide students in proper material selection and safe use,

· Capability in light construction and repair projects,

· Maintaining ceramics and sculpture shop supply inventory, ordering and pickup of supplies as needed.

· The work requires advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with tasks performed under limited supervision using specialized tools and established standards. Problems are varied, complex, and occasionally ill-defined, requiring analysis, interpretation, and the development of new skills (e.g., tools, software, processes),

· The lab manager does not teach courses in the School of Art & Design but must be conversant in visual art culture, sculpture, and ceramics.
Ability to lift 50 pounds.

· Other duties as assigned.

Salary Range

Salary Range $38,722 - $50,339; Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Salary Type

Time Type

Time Type Full-Time

Work Location

Work Location MU - Marshall University

Position Information Position Title Academic Lab Manager II Banner Position Number 000945 E-Class CX - Class Exempt FT - .53 or > Department School of Art and Design - MU2220 Job Description · Demonstrated ability to oversee skilled and unskilled persons using hand and power equipment in the art warehouse ceramics and sculpture studios in supervised and unsupervised settings, · Delegating and directing the work activities of student employees, · Ability to prioritize and complete an array of tasks in a complex and ever-changing work environment, · Providing training of, developing procedures, and commitment to safe work practices in the laboratory to maintain the health and safety of all students and personnel in the ceramics and sculpture studios, · Sculpture: proven experience operating, maintaining, and repairing major stationary shop equipment including but not limited to miter saw, table saw, band saw, jointer, planer arc, MIG / TIG welders, CNC routers, air compressors, and 3D printers, · Ceramics: proven experience operating, maintaining, and repairing gas and electric kilns, pottery wheels, clay mixers, ceramic shell casting systems, and all hand-held power tools. · Ceramics: clay, glaze, and casting slip mixing; loading and unloading of kilns and maintaining kiln carts and kiln ledger sheets in the kiln room, · Experience with a wide range of 3D studio materials and processes in sculpture and ceramics, and the ability to guide students in proper material selection and safe use, · Capability in light construction and repair projects, · Maintaining ceramics and sculpture shop supply inventory, ordering and pickup of supplies as needed. · The work requires advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with tasks performed under limited supervision using specialized tools and established standards. Problems are varied, complex, and occasionally ill-defined, requiring analysis, interpretation, and the development of new skills (e.g., tools, software, processes), · The lab manager does not teach courses in the School of Art & Design but must be conversant in visual art culture, sculpture, and ceramics.
Ability to lift 50 pounds. · Other duties as assigned. Salary Range $38,722 - $50,339; Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and internal equity. Salary Type Salary Time Type Full-Time Work Location MU - Marshall University Qualifications Must be able to perform all essential job duties as outlined in the job description. Required Qualifications Education

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in a studio art discipline.

Experience

• Proven ability to supervise and train both skilled and unskilled individuals in a studio art setting, ensuring proper use of hand tools and power equipment. This position oversees students and work-study employees, providing training, managing tasks, and enforcing lab protocols to maintain the health and safety of students and personnel.
• Proven experience operating and maintaining/repairing major stationary shop equipment (including but not limited to: table saw, band saw, miter saw, jointer, planer, arc, MIG / TIG welders, CNC routers, air compressors, and 3D printers: gas and electric kilns, pottery wheels, clay mixers, ceramic slip casting systems, and all hand-held power tools.
• Candidates should demonstrate experience in various 3D studio art materials and techniques related to sculpture and ceramics, possess computer literacy, have skills in light construction remodeling and repairs, and show a commitment to maintaining safe work practices. They must also be capable of working in both supervised and unsupervised environments while managing inventory for the ceramics and sculpture areas. Regular tasks within this position include mixing clay and glazes and firing student work using gas and electric kilns.
• This role requires critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with tasks performed using specialized tools and established standards. The challenges faced in this position are diverse, complex, and occasionally vaguely defined, necessitating the analysis or interpretation of situations and the acquisition of new skills as needed. The lab manager does not teach courses within the School of Art & Design and must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• 6 months of relevant supervisory experience in an art studio.

Preferred Qualifications Education

• MFA in sculpture or ceramics and six months of supervisory experience in a 3D sculpture and/or ceramics studio.

Experience

• The Academic Lab Manager is responsible for conducting safety training and demonstrations on the safe use of materials and tools for staff and students. Candidates should have expertise in various ceramics and sculpture studio materials. Advanced computer skills, experience with glaze databases, and familiarity with CAD are desired for outputting student projects to studio equipment such as CNC machines and 3D printers.
• The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with hand tools, power tools, and stationary equipment, including but not limited to) table saws, band saws, miter saws, jointers, planers, arc and MIG / TIG welders, CNC routers, air compressors, 3D printers, as well as gas and electric kilns, pottery wheels, clay mixers, and ceramic casting systems. Additionally, prior experience in ordering and stocking supplies for busy studios with limited budgets is highly sought after. An experienced candidate will be well-versed in 21st-century visual arts culture, with specific knowledge in contemporary sculpture and ceramics.

Posting Detail Information Posting Number MU1135E Open Date 05/02/2025 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions Summary

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a Bachelor's of Fine Arts?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Marshall University
One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755